Pedro de Araújo Gonçalves - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Pedro de Araújo Gonçalves

Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging, 2017

Patients with obstructive (≥50% stenosis) left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) are at hig... more Patients with obstructive (≥50% stenosis) left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk for adverse events; prior studies have also documented worse outcomes among women than men with severe multivessel/LM CAD. However, the prognostic significance of nonobstructive (1%-49% stenosis) LM CAD, including sex-specific differences, has not been previously examined. In the long-term CONFIRM (Coronary CT Angiography Evaluation For Clinical Outcomes: An International Multicenter) registry, patients underwent elective coronary computed tomographic angiography for suspected CAD and were followed for 5 years. After excluding those with obstructive LM CAD, 5166 patients were categorized as having normal LM or nonobstructive LM (18% of cohort). Cumulative 5-year incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization was higher among patients with nonobstructive LM than normal LM in both women and men: women (34.3% versus 15.4%; P<0.0001); men (24.6% versus 18.2%; P<...

In recent years, coronary CTangiography (CCTA)hasbecome awidely adopted technique, not onlydue to... more In recent years, coronary CTangiography (CCTA)hasbecome awidely adopted technique, not onlydue to its high diagnostic accuracy, but also to the fact that CCTA provides a comprehensive evaluation of the total (obstructive and non-obstructive) coronary atherosclerotic burden. More recently, this technique has become mature, with a large body of evidence addressing its prognostic validation. In addition, CT angiography has moved from the field of ‘imagers ’ and clinicians and entered the interventional cardiology arena, aiding in the planning of both coronary and struc-tural heart interventions, being transcatheter aortic valve implantation one of its most successful examples. It is therefore of utmost importance that interventional cardiologists become familiarwith image interpretationandup-to-date regarding severalCTAfeatures, taking advantageof this information inplanning the procedure, ultimately leading to improvement inpatient outcomes.Onthe otherhand, the increasinguseofCCTAasa ...

Coronary Artery Disease, 2020

AIM To assess the temporal trends in the usage pattern of non-invasive testing before invasive co... more AIM To assess the temporal trends in the usage pattern of non-invasive testing before invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and its diagnostic yield in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS Cross-sectional observational multicenter study of 4805 consecutive patients (60% male, mean age 66 ± 10 years) with suspected CAD undergoing elective ICA due to angina pectoris in two centers, from 2008 to 2017. The use of noninvasive testing and the proportion of patients with obstructive CAD (defined as the presence of at least one ≥50% stenosis on ICA) were assessed. RESULTS There were 4038 (84%) patients referred for ICA with positive noninvasive test, mainly SPECT (38%, n = 1828) and exercise ECG (36%, n = 1731). Obstructive CAD was found in 54.5% (n = 2621) of the patients and 37.9% (n = 1822) underwent revascularization. The prevalence of obstructive CAD was higher in patients with vs. without previous noninvasive testing (55.8% vs. 48.1%, respectively, P < 0.001) and tended to decrease during the study period (P for trend <0.001). Both the presence of obstructive CAD and revascularization rate were higher in patients who underwent anatomical evaluation with CCTA compared with noninvasive functional tests (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). The number of patients referred after exercise testing and SPECT decreased (p for trend 0.005 and 0.006, respectively) and after CCTA and stress CMR increased (both P for trend <0.001). The proportion of patients referred without previous testing remained stable. CONCLUSION Nearly half of the patients undergoing ICA for suspected CAD did not have obstructive coronary lesions. This proportion tended to increase over the 10-year span of this study. Better clinical assessment tools and diagnostic pathways for stable CAD are warranted.

Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, 2021

BACKGROUND The current study aimed to examine the independent prognostic value of whole-heart ath... more BACKGROUND The current study aimed to examine the independent prognostic value of whole-heart atherosclerosis progression by serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). METHODS The multi-center PARADIGM study includes patients undergoing serial CCTA for symptomatic reasons, ≥2 years apart. Whole-heart atherosclerosis was characterized on a segmental level, with co-registration of baseline and follow-up CCTA, and summed to per-patient level. The independent prognostic significance of atherosclerosis progression for MACE (non-fatal myocardial infarction [MI], death, unplanned coronary revascularization) was examined. Patients experiencing interval MACE were not omitted. RESULTS The study population comprised 1166 patients (age 60.5 ​± ​9.5 years, 54.7% male) who experienced 139 MACE events during 8.2 (IQR 6.2, 9.5) years of follow up (15 death, 5 non-fatal MI, 119 unplanned revascularizations). Whole-heart percent atheroma volume (PAV) increased from 2.32% at baseline to 4.04% at follow-up. Adjusted for baseline PAV, the annualized increase in PAV was independently associated with MACE: OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.08, 1.39) per 1 standard deviation increase, which was consistent in multiple subpopulations. When categorized by composition, only non-calcified plaque progression associated independently with MACE, while calcified plaque did not. Restricting to patients without events before follow-up CCTA, those with future MACE showed an annualized increase in PAV of 0.93% (IQR 0.34, 1.96) vs 0.32% (IQR 0.02, 0.90), P ​< ​0.001. CONCLUSIONS Whole-heart atherosclerosis progression examined by serial CCTA is independently associated with MACE, with a prognostic threshold of 1.0% increase in PAV per year.

JAMA Cardiology, 2021

Importance The density of atherosclerotic plaque forms the basis for categorizing calcified and n... more Importance The density of atherosclerotic plaque forms the basis for categorizing calcified and noncalcified morphology of plaques. Objective To assess whether alterations in plaque across a range of density measurements provide a more detailed understanding of atherosclerotic disease progression. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study enrolled 857 patients who underwent serial coronary computed tomography angiography 2 or more years apart and had quantitative measurements of coronary plaques throughout the entire coronary artery tree. The study was conducted from 2013 to 2016 at 13 sites in 7 countries. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was progression of plaque composition of individual coronary plaques. Six plaque composition types were defined on a voxel-level basis according to the plaque attenuation (expressed in Hounsfield units [HU]): low attenuation (-30 to 75 HU), fibro-fatty (76-130 HU), fibrous (131-350 HU), low-density calcium (351-700 HU), high-density calcium (701-1000 HU), and 1K (>1000 HU). The progression rates of these 6 compositional plaque types were evaluated according to the interaction between statin use and baseline plaque volume, adjusted for risk factors and time interval between scans. Plaque progression was also examined based on baseline calcium density. Analysis was performed among lesions matched at baseline and follow-up. Data analyses were conducted from August 2019 through March 2020. Results In total, 2458 coronary lesions in 857 patients (mean [SD] age, 62.1 [8.7] years; 540 [63.0%] men; 548 [63.9%] received statin therapy) were included. Untreated coronary lesions increased in volume over time for all 6 compositional types. Statin therapy was associated with volume decreases in low-attenuation plaque (β, -0.02; 95% CI, -0.03 to -0.01; P = .001) and fibro-fatty plaque (β, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.04 to -0.02; P < .001) and greater progression of high-density calcium plaque (β, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01-0.03; P < .001) and 1K plaque (β, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01-0.03; P < .001). When analyses were restricted to lesions without low-attenuation plaque or fibro-fatty plaque at baseline, statin therapy was not associated with a change in overall calcified plaque volume (β, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.02; P = .24) but was associated with a transformation toward more dense calcium. Interaction analysis between baseline plaque volume and calcium density showed that more dense coronary calcium was associated with less plaque progression. Conclusions and Relevance The results suggest an association of statin use with greater rates of transformation of coronary atherosclerosis toward high-density calcium. A pattern of slower overall plaque progression was observed with increasing density. All findings support the concept of reduced atherosclerotic risk with increased densification of calcium.

Atherosclerosis, 2021

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been suggested as a marker of plasm... more BACKGROUND AND AIMS The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been suggested as a marker of plasma atherogenicity. This study aimed to assess the association between AIP and the rapid progression of coronary atherosclerosis using serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS A total of 1488 adults (60.9 ± 9.2 years, 58.9% male) who underwent serial CCTA with a median inter-scan period of 3.4 years were included. AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of the concentrations of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Rapid plaque progression (RPP) was defined as the change of percentage atheroma volume (PAV) ≥1.0%/year. All participants were divided into three groups based on AIP tertiles. RESULTS Baseline total PAV (median [interquartile range (IQR)]) (%) (group I [lowest]: 1.91 [0.00, 6.21] vs. group II: 2.82 [0.27, 8.83] vs. group III [highest]: 2.70 [0.41, 7.50]), the annual change of total PAV (median [IQR]) (%/year) (group I: 0.27 [0.00, 0.81] vs. group II: 0.37 [0.04, 1.11] vs. group III: 0.45 [0.06, 1.25]), and the incidence of RPP (group I: 19.7% vs. group II: 27.3% vs. group III: 31.4%) were significantly different among AIP tertiles (all p < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the risk of RPP was increased in group III (odds ratio: 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-2.26; p = 0.042) compared to group I after adjusting for clinical factors and baseline total PAV. CONCLUSIONS Based on serial CCTA findings, AIP is an independent predictive marker for RPP beyond traditional risk factors.

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2021

OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the impact of low tube voltage scanning heterogeneity... more OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the impact of low tube voltage scanning heterogeneity of coronary luminal attenuation on plaque quantification and characterization with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). BACKGROUND The impact of low tube voltage and coronary luminal attenuation on quantitative coronary plaque remains uncertain. METHODS A total of 1,236 consecutive patients (age: 60 ± 9 years; 41% female) who underwent serial CCTA at an interval of ≥2 years were included from an international registry. Patients with prior revascularization or nonanalyzable coronary CTAs were excluded. Total coronary plaque volume was assessed and subclassified based on specific Hounsfield unit (HU) threshold: necrotic core, fibrofatty plaque, and fibrous plaque and dense calcium. Luminal attenuation was measured in the aorta. RESULTS With increasing luminal HU (<350, 350-500, and >500 HU), percent calcified plaque was increased (16%, 27%, and 40% in the median; P < 0.001), and fibrofatty plaque (26%, 13%, and 4%; P < 0.001) and necrotic core (1.6%, 0.3%, and 0.0%; P < 0.001) were decreased. Higher tube voltage scanning (80, 100, and 120 kV) resulted in decreasing luminal attenuation (689 ± 135, 497 ± 89, and 391 ± 73 HU; P < 0.001) and calcified plaque volume (59%, 34%, and 23%; P < 0.001) and increased fibrofatty plaque (3%, 9%, and 18%; P < 0.001) and necrotic core (0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.6%; P < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that the impact of 100 kV on plaque composition, compared with 120 kV, was primarily caused by an indirect effect through blood pool attenuation. Tube voltage scanning of 80 kV maintained a direct effect on fibrofatty plaque and necrotic core in addition to an indirect effect through the luminal attenuation. CONCLUSIONS Low tube voltage usage affected plaque morphology, mainly through an increase in luminal HU with a resultant increase in calcified plaque and a reduction in fibrofatty and necrotic core. These findings should be considered as CCTA-based plaque measures are being used to guide medical management and, in particular, when being used as a measure of treatment response. (Progression of Atherosclerotic Plaque Determined by Computed Tomographic Angiography Imaging [PARADIGM]; NCT02803411).

Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia (English Edition), 2021

Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interve... more Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interventional therapies. It is increasing in frequency, due to the success of current medical and interventional therapies in improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease. Long-term mortality is similar to that of patients with asymptomatic stable disease, but it affects patients' quality of life, and has a significant impact on health care resources. Several therapeutic targets have been investigated, most with disappointing results. Many of the techniques have been abandoned because of lack of efficacy, safety issues, or economic and logistic limitations to wider applicability. The primary focus of this review is the coronary sinus Reducer, supporting evidence for which, although scarce, is promising regarding safety and efficacy in improving anginal symptoms and quality of life. It is also accessible to virtually all interventional cardiology departments.

Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, 2020

BACKGROUND The association of age with coronary plaque dynamics is not well characterized by coro... more BACKGROUND The association of age with coronary plaque dynamics is not well characterized by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS From a multinational registry of patients who underwent serial CCTA, 1153 subjects (61 ± 5 years old, 61.1% male) were analyzed. Annualized volume changes of total, fibrous, fibrofatty, necrotic core, and dense calcification plaque components of the whole heart were compared by age quartile groups. Clinical events, a composite of all-cause death, acute coronary syndrome, and any revascularization after 30 days of the initial CCTA, were also analyzed. Random forest analysis was used to define the relative importance of age on plaque progression. RESULTS With a 3.3-years' median interval between the two CCTA, the median annual volume changes of total plaque in each age quartile group was 7.8, 10.5, 10.8, and 12.1 mm3/year and for dense calcification, 2.5, 4.6, 5.4, and 7.1 mm3/year, both of which demonstrated a tendency to increase by age (p-for-trend = 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). However, this tendency was not observed in any other plaque components. The annual volume changes of total plaque and dense calcification were also significantly different in the propensity score-matched lowest age quartile group versus the other age groups as was the composite clinical event (log-rank p = 0.003). In random forest analysis, age had comparable importance in the total plaque volume progression as other traditional factors. CONCLUSIONS The rate of whole-heart plaque progression and dense calcification increases depending on age. Age is a significant factor in plaque growth, the importance of which is comparable to other traditional risk factors. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT02803411.

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2020

OBJECTIVES The study sought to explore sex-based differences in total and compositional plaque vo... more OBJECTIVES The study sought to explore sex-based differences in total and compositional plaque volume (PV) progression. BACKGROUND It is unclear whether sex has an impact on PV progression in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS The study analyzed a prospective multinational registry of consecutive patients with suspected CAD who underwent 2 or more clinically indicated coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) at ≥2-year intervals. Total and compositional PV at baseline and follow-up were quantitatively analyzed and normalized using the analyzed total vessel length. Multivariate linear regression models were constructed. RESULTS Of the 1,255 patients included (median coronary CTA interval 3.8 years), 543 were women and 712 were men. Women were older (62 ± 9 years of age vs. 59 ± 9 years of age; p < 0.001) and had higher total cholesterol levels (195 ± 41 mg/dl vs. 187 ± 39 mg/dl; p = 0.002). Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and family history of CAD were not different (all p > 0.05). At baseline, men possessed greater total PV (31.3 mm3 [interquartile range (IQR): 0 to 121.8 mm3] vs. 56.7 mm3 [IQR: 6.8 to 152.1 mm3] p = 0.005), and there was an approximately 9-year delay in women in developing total PV than in men. The prevalence of high-risk plaques was greater in men than women (31% vs. 20%; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, clinical risk factors, medication use, and total PV at baseline, despite similar total PV progression rates, female sex was associated with greater calcified PV progression (β = 2.83; p = 0.004) but slower noncalcified PV progression (β = -3.39; p = 0.008) and less development of high-risk plaques (β = -0.18; p = 0.049) than in men. CONCLUSIONS The compositional PV progression differed according to sex, suggesting that comprehensive plaque evaluation may contribute to further refining of risk stratification according to sex. (NCT02803411).

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Jan 4, 2016

27.1%; p < 0.0001, respectively). Serum C-reactive protein levels were also significantly higher ... more 27.1%; p < 0.0001, respectively). Serum C-reactive protein levels were also significantly higher in the bypass group (median 22.0 mg/l vs. 7.0 mg/l; p < 0.0001). During the follow-up period, 61 major

Revista Española de Cardiología, 2016

Introduccio´n y objetivos: Se ha demostrado que el armazó n vascular bioabsorbible Absorb produce... more Introduccio´n y objetivos: Se ha demostrado que el armazó n vascular bioabsorbible Absorb produce una disminució n del á rea total de las placas en el segmento tratado. Sin embargo, no se sabe si el tamañ o de la placa se modifica tan solo en los segmentos tratados con armazones o si la modificació n se extiende tambié n a otros segmentos coronarios. Me´todos: El Absorb Cohort A es un estudio prospectivo de un solo grupo, en el que se evalú an variables de valoració n de seguridad y de resultados en exploraciones de imagen en 30 pacientes tratados mediante intervenció n coronaria percutá nea con el armazó n vascular bioabsorbible Absorb de primera generació n. Se utilizaron exploraciones de tomografía computarizada multicorte no invasivas de 18 pacientes a los 18 meses y a los 5 añ os de seguimiento. El presente estudio es una comparació n intraindividual de segmentos de características comparables (normalizados respecto a la longitud del segmento) de la regió n tratada con armazones frente a segmentos no tratados, en la que se evaluó el volumen de la luz vascular, el volumen del vaso, el volumen de las placas, la carga de placa y el cambio porcentual en el volumen de ateroma de las placas. Resultados: Se pudo analizar los 18 segmentos tratados con armazones. De los segmentos a los que no se aplicó la intervenció n, 1 de un total de 72 presentó un artefacto de movimiento y fue excluido. La comparació n de exploraciones secuenciales puso de manifiesto que los segmentos tratados con armazones no presentaban un cambio significativo de la carga media de placas, el volumen total de ateroma, el volumen total de la luz o el volumen del vaso entre los 18 meses y los 5 añ os. En cambio, los segmentos no tratados mostraban un aumento significativo de la carga de placa (2,7 AE 6,5%; p < 0,01) y los volú menes de placas normalizados (8,0 AE 22,8 mm 3 ; p < 0,01). Esto dio lugar a una diferencia significativa en la carga de placa entre los segmentos tratados con armazones y los no tratados (p = 0,03). Conclusiones: En esta pequeñ a serie, el armazó n vascular bioabsorbible Absorb mostró potencial de aportar un beneficio adicional al del tratamiento farmacoló gico en cuanto a la reducció n local de la progresió n en el porcentaje de carga de placa. Se deberá confirmar estos resultados en estudios má s amplios.

European Heart Journal, 2013

Cardiovascular computed tomography imaging 839 rograde approach alone and 13 (38.2%) of the attem... more Cardiovascular computed tomography imaging 839 rograde approach alone and 13 (38.2%) of the attempts utilized a bidirectional approach. The overall success rate per attempt was 85.3%. Calcium occupying >50% of CSA by CTCA was the only predictor of failure of the antegrade approach for CTO PCI; p=0.036. There were trends of longer estimated CTO duration and longer estimated CTO length in the failed antegrade approaches for CTO PCI (p=0.073, p=0.063 respectively). None of the CTCA or the CCA factors was found to predict the outcome of the retrograde approach for CTO PCI. A trend of successful outcome of the retrograde approach for CTO PCI was noted with higher Werner collateral channel grades (p=0.057). Conclusions: CTCA provides better means of detection and assessment of calcification within the coronary CTO lesions than CCA. Severe calcification (>50% of CSA by CTCA) was the only statistically significant predictor of failure of the antegrade approach for CTO PCI.

Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, 2005

There is disagreement concerning the prognostic value of a prior history of percutaneous coronary... more There is disagreement concerning the prognostic value of a prior history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This study characterizes these patients and investigates the impact of prior PCI on their prognosis. 448 consecutive patients admitted due to ACS between 1998 and 2000 were evaluated. Patients with prior PCI were compared to the others with regard to baseline demographic and clinical features. The study endpoint was death or myocardial infarction at one-year follow-up. The impact of prior PCI on the outcome was analyzed. In patients with prior PCI, the prognostic value of the time interval between PCI and current admission was assessed. In those patients who underwent coronary angiography during the index hospitalization, the culprit lesion features were evaluated. 134 patients (30%) with prior PCI were identified. Overall ACS patients had an event rate of 19% at one year. A history of prior PCI...

European Heart Journal, 2013

Interventional cardiology 229 sis were performed based on the post-PCI angiogram. CFV (vessel len... more Interventional cardiology 229 sis were performed based on the post-PCI angiogram. CFV (vessel length/TIMI frame count/15) and an index of disturbed flow (Reynolds number: velocity/diameter/density/viscosity) were measured both throughout the target vessel and in the stent-implanted region. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) occurred in 12 lesions (12.0%) at the follow-up period of 20.9±10.4 months. There were no significant differences between TLR group (12 lesions) and Non-TLR group (88 lesions) in terms of CFV and Reynolds number throughout the target vessel (195.4±66.8mm/sec vs. 159.8±56.6, p=0.17, 153.4±75.4 vs. 119.7±59.4, p=0.08, respectively). However, in the stent-implanted region, CFV and Reynolds number of the TLR group were significantly higher than the Non-TLR group (222.8±70.7mm/sec vs. 160.5±77.2, p=0.006, 186.1±65.7 vs. 132.4±71.2, p=0.01, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that Reynolds number in the stent-implanted region after EES was an independent predictor of TLR in the HD patients (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.023, p=0.02). Conclusion: In the stent-implanted region, CFV and Reynolds number were significantly higher in the TLR group than the Non-TLR group. High disturbed flow in stent-implanted region after EES may predict the risk of TLR in HD patients.

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging, 2013

Capítulo 4. Doença coronária não obstrutiva-identificação por angio TC cardíaca RESUMO: Neste cap... more Capítulo 4. Doença coronária não obstrutiva-identificação por angio TC cardíaca RESUMO: Neste capitulo é descrita a capacidade da angio TC cardíaca identificar a presença da doença coronária não obstrutiva, característica impar entre os vários exames de diagnóstico não invasivos em cardiologia. O desempenho da angio TC na identificação da placa aterosclerótica é comparado com o dos métodos de imagem intracoronária. Neste capítulo é feita ainda uma revisão dos diferentes marcadores de aterosclerose subclínica e das actuais limitações ao uso da angio TC com este objectivo. Foram incluídos neste capítulo dois artigos: O artigo 11 discute, a propósito de um caso clínico, o contraste entre a carga aterosclerótica documentada por angio TC e o risco cardiovascular; o artigo 12 é um artigo original em que foi avaliada a prevalência e os preditores de doença coronária na ausência de calcificação coronária.

European Heart Journal, 2005

Aims Regarding prognosis, patients with a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are a ve... more Aims Regarding prognosis, patients with a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are a very heterogeneous population, with varying risks of early and long-term adverse events. Early risk stratification at admission seems to be essential for a tailored therapeutic strategy. We sought to compare the prognostic value of three ACS risk scores (RSs) and their ability to predict benefit from myocardial revascularization performed during initial hospitalization. Methods and results We studied 460 consecutive patients admitted to our coronary care unit with an ACS [age: 63 + 11 years, 21.5% female, 55% with myocardial infarction (MI)]. For each patient, the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI), Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable agina: Receptor Suppression Using Integrilin (PURSUIT), and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) RSs were calculated using specific variables collected at admission. Their prognostic value was evaluated by the combined endpoint of death or MI at 1 year. The best cutoff value for each RS, calculated with receiver operating characteristic curves, was used to assess the impact of myocardial revascularization on the combined incidence of death or MI. Death or MI at 1 year was 15.4% (32 deaths/49 MIs). The best predictive accuracy for death or MI at 1 year was obtained by the GRACE RS (AUC) [area under the curve: 0.715; confidence interval (CI: 0.672-0.756)] but the performance of the PURSUIT RS (AUC: 0.630; CI: 0.584-0.674), and TIMI RS (AUC: 0.585; CI: 0.539-0.631) was also good. We found a statistically significant interaction between the risk stratified by the best cutoff value for the GRACE and PURSUIT RSs and myocardial revascularization, with a better prognosis for the high-risk patients. The high-risk patients represented 36.7, 28.7, and 57.8% of the population, for the GRACE, PURSUIT, and TIMI RSs, respectively. Conclusion The RSs studied demonstrated a good predictive accuracy for death or MI at 1 year and enabled the identification of high-risk subsets of patients who will benefit most from myocardial revascularization performed during initial hospital stay.

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 2011

Background: Recurrent ischemia is frequent in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndr... more Background: Recurrent ischemia is frequent in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NST-ACS), and portends a worse prognosis. Continuous ST-segment monitoring (CSTM) reflects the dynamic nature of ischemia and allows the detection of silent episodes. The aim of this study is to investigate whether CSTM adds prognostic information to the risk scores (RS) currently used. Methods: We studied 234 patients with NST-ACS in whom CSTM was performed in the first 24 hours after admission. An ST episode was defined as a transient ST-segment deviation in ≥1 lead of ≥ 0.1 mV, and persisting ≥1minute. Three RS were calculated: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI; for NST-ACS), Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable angina: Receptor Supression Using Integrilin (PURSUIT; death/MI model), and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE). The end point was defined as death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), during 1-year follow-up. Results: ST episodes were detected in 54 patients (23.1%) and associated with worse 1-year outcome: 25.9% end point rate versus 12.2% (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.51; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.18-5, 35; P = 0.026). All three RS predicted 1-year outcome, but the GRACE (c-statistic = 0.755; 95% CI, 0.695-0.809) was superior to both TIMI (c-statistic = 0.632; 95% CI, 0.567-0.694) and PURSUIT (c-statistic = 0.644; 95% CI: 0.579-0.706). A GRACE RS > 124 showed the highest accuracy for predicting end point. The presence of ST episodes added independent prognostic information the TIMI RS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.13-4.38) and to PURSUIT RS (HR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.03-3.98), but not to the GRACE RS. Conclusions: CSTM provides incremental prognostic information beyond the TIMI and PURSUIT RS, but not the GRACE risk score. Hence, the GRACE risk score should be the preferred stratification model in daily practice.

Physiological Assessment of Coronary Stenoses and the Microcirculation, 2017

Fig. 15.1 A 64-year-old man referred for angiography for stable angina. An intermediate stenosis ... more Fig. 15.1 A 64-year-old man referred for angiography for stable angina. An intermediate stenosis in mid-RCA was noted. FFR was negative (0.82). Revascularization was deferred. RCA right coronary artery. Fig. 15.2 A 57-year-old woman referred for angiography for stable angina. An intermediate stenosis in distal-RCA was noted. FFR was positive (0.67). Revascularization performed with PCI. RCA right coronary artery D. Neves et al.

Circulation. Cardiovascular imaging, 2017

Patients with obstructive (≥50% stenosis) left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) are at hig... more Patients with obstructive (≥50% stenosis) left main (LM) coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk for adverse events; prior studies have also documented worse outcomes among women than men with severe multivessel/LM CAD. However, the prognostic significance of nonobstructive (1%-49% stenosis) LM CAD, including sex-specific differences, has not been previously examined. In the long-term CONFIRM (Coronary CT Angiography Evaluation For Clinical Outcomes: An International Multicenter) registry, patients underwent elective coronary computed tomographic angiography for suspected CAD and were followed for 5 years. After excluding those with obstructive LM CAD, 5166 patients were categorized as having normal LM or nonobstructive LM (18% of cohort). Cumulative 5-year incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization was higher among patients with nonobstructive LM than normal LM in both women and men: women (34.3% versus 15.4%; P<0.0001); men (24.6% versus 18.2%; P<...

In recent years, coronary CTangiography (CCTA)hasbecome awidely adopted technique, not onlydue to... more In recent years, coronary CTangiography (CCTA)hasbecome awidely adopted technique, not onlydue to its high diagnostic accuracy, but also to the fact that CCTA provides a comprehensive evaluation of the total (obstructive and non-obstructive) coronary atherosclerotic burden. More recently, this technique has become mature, with a large body of evidence addressing its prognostic validation. In addition, CT angiography has moved from the field of ‘imagers ’ and clinicians and entered the interventional cardiology arena, aiding in the planning of both coronary and struc-tural heart interventions, being transcatheter aortic valve implantation one of its most successful examples. It is therefore of utmost importance that interventional cardiologists become familiarwith image interpretationandup-to-date regarding severalCTAfeatures, taking advantageof this information inplanning the procedure, ultimately leading to improvement inpatient outcomes.Onthe otherhand, the increasinguseofCCTAasa ...

Coronary Artery Disease, 2020

AIM To assess the temporal trends in the usage pattern of non-invasive testing before invasive co... more AIM To assess the temporal trends in the usage pattern of non-invasive testing before invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and its diagnostic yield in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS Cross-sectional observational multicenter study of 4805 consecutive patients (60% male, mean age 66 ± 10 years) with suspected CAD undergoing elective ICA due to angina pectoris in two centers, from 2008 to 2017. The use of noninvasive testing and the proportion of patients with obstructive CAD (defined as the presence of at least one ≥50% stenosis on ICA) were assessed. RESULTS There were 4038 (84%) patients referred for ICA with positive noninvasive test, mainly SPECT (38%, n = 1828) and exercise ECG (36%, n = 1731). Obstructive CAD was found in 54.5% (n = 2621) of the patients and 37.9% (n = 1822) underwent revascularization. The prevalence of obstructive CAD was higher in patients with vs. without previous noninvasive testing (55.8% vs. 48.1%, respectively, P < 0.001) and tended to decrease during the study period (P for trend <0.001). Both the presence of obstructive CAD and revascularization rate were higher in patients who underwent anatomical evaluation with CCTA compared with noninvasive functional tests (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). The number of patients referred after exercise testing and SPECT decreased (p for trend 0.005 and 0.006, respectively) and after CCTA and stress CMR increased (both P for trend <0.001). The proportion of patients referred without previous testing remained stable. CONCLUSION Nearly half of the patients undergoing ICA for suspected CAD did not have obstructive coronary lesions. This proportion tended to increase over the 10-year span of this study. Better clinical assessment tools and diagnostic pathways for stable CAD are warranted.

Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, 2021

BACKGROUND The current study aimed to examine the independent prognostic value of whole-heart ath... more BACKGROUND The current study aimed to examine the independent prognostic value of whole-heart atherosclerosis progression by serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). METHODS The multi-center PARADIGM study includes patients undergoing serial CCTA for symptomatic reasons, ≥2 years apart. Whole-heart atherosclerosis was characterized on a segmental level, with co-registration of baseline and follow-up CCTA, and summed to per-patient level. The independent prognostic significance of atherosclerosis progression for MACE (non-fatal myocardial infarction [MI], death, unplanned coronary revascularization) was examined. Patients experiencing interval MACE were not omitted. RESULTS The study population comprised 1166 patients (age 60.5 ​± ​9.5 years, 54.7% male) who experienced 139 MACE events during 8.2 (IQR 6.2, 9.5) years of follow up (15 death, 5 non-fatal MI, 119 unplanned revascularizations). Whole-heart percent atheroma volume (PAV) increased from 2.32% at baseline to 4.04% at follow-up. Adjusted for baseline PAV, the annualized increase in PAV was independently associated with MACE: OR 1.23 (95% CI 1.08, 1.39) per 1 standard deviation increase, which was consistent in multiple subpopulations. When categorized by composition, only non-calcified plaque progression associated independently with MACE, while calcified plaque did not. Restricting to patients without events before follow-up CCTA, those with future MACE showed an annualized increase in PAV of 0.93% (IQR 0.34, 1.96) vs 0.32% (IQR 0.02, 0.90), P ​< ​0.001. CONCLUSIONS Whole-heart atherosclerosis progression examined by serial CCTA is independently associated with MACE, with a prognostic threshold of 1.0% increase in PAV per year.

JAMA Cardiology, 2021

Importance The density of atherosclerotic plaque forms the basis for categorizing calcified and n... more Importance The density of atherosclerotic plaque forms the basis for categorizing calcified and noncalcified morphology of plaques. Objective To assess whether alterations in plaque across a range of density measurements provide a more detailed understanding of atherosclerotic disease progression. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study enrolled 857 patients who underwent serial coronary computed tomography angiography 2 or more years apart and had quantitative measurements of coronary plaques throughout the entire coronary artery tree. The study was conducted from 2013 to 2016 at 13 sites in 7 countries. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was progression of plaque composition of individual coronary plaques. Six plaque composition types were defined on a voxel-level basis according to the plaque attenuation (expressed in Hounsfield units [HU]): low attenuation (-30 to 75 HU), fibro-fatty (76-130 HU), fibrous (131-350 HU), low-density calcium (351-700 HU), high-density calcium (701-1000 HU), and 1K (>1000 HU). The progression rates of these 6 compositional plaque types were evaluated according to the interaction between statin use and baseline plaque volume, adjusted for risk factors and time interval between scans. Plaque progression was also examined based on baseline calcium density. Analysis was performed among lesions matched at baseline and follow-up. Data analyses were conducted from August 2019 through March 2020. Results In total, 2458 coronary lesions in 857 patients (mean [SD] age, 62.1 [8.7] years; 540 [63.0%] men; 548 [63.9%] received statin therapy) were included. Untreated coronary lesions increased in volume over time for all 6 compositional types. Statin therapy was associated with volume decreases in low-attenuation plaque (β, -0.02; 95% CI, -0.03 to -0.01; P = .001) and fibro-fatty plaque (β, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.04 to -0.02; P < .001) and greater progression of high-density calcium plaque (β, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01-0.03; P < .001) and 1K plaque (β, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01-0.03; P < .001). When analyses were restricted to lesions without low-attenuation plaque or fibro-fatty plaque at baseline, statin therapy was not associated with a change in overall calcified plaque volume (β, -0.03; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.02; P = .24) but was associated with a transformation toward more dense calcium. Interaction analysis between baseline plaque volume and calcium density showed that more dense coronary calcium was associated with less plaque progression. Conclusions and Relevance The results suggest an association of statin use with greater rates of transformation of coronary atherosclerosis toward high-density calcium. A pattern of slower overall plaque progression was observed with increasing density. All findings support the concept of reduced atherosclerotic risk with increased densification of calcium.

Atherosclerosis, 2021

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been suggested as a marker of plasm... more BACKGROUND AND AIMS The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been suggested as a marker of plasma atherogenicity. This study aimed to assess the association between AIP and the rapid progression of coronary atherosclerosis using serial coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS A total of 1488 adults (60.9 ± 9.2 years, 58.9% male) who underwent serial CCTA with a median inter-scan period of 3.4 years were included. AIP was defined as the base 10 logarithm of the ratio of the concentrations of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Rapid plaque progression (RPP) was defined as the change of percentage atheroma volume (PAV) ≥1.0%/year. All participants were divided into three groups based on AIP tertiles. RESULTS Baseline total PAV (median [interquartile range (IQR)]) (%) (group I [lowest]: 1.91 [0.00, 6.21] vs. group II: 2.82 [0.27, 8.83] vs. group III [highest]: 2.70 [0.41, 7.50]), the annual change of total PAV (median [IQR]) (%/year) (group I: 0.27 [0.00, 0.81] vs. group II: 0.37 [0.04, 1.11] vs. group III: 0.45 [0.06, 1.25]), and the incidence of RPP (group I: 19.7% vs. group II: 27.3% vs. group III: 31.4%) were significantly different among AIP tertiles (all p < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the risk of RPP was increased in group III (odds ratio: 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-2.26; p = 0.042) compared to group I after adjusting for clinical factors and baseline total PAV. CONCLUSIONS Based on serial CCTA findings, AIP is an independent predictive marker for RPP beyond traditional risk factors.

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2021

OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the impact of low tube voltage scanning heterogeneity... more OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate the impact of low tube voltage scanning heterogeneity of coronary luminal attenuation on plaque quantification and characterization with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). BACKGROUND The impact of low tube voltage and coronary luminal attenuation on quantitative coronary plaque remains uncertain. METHODS A total of 1,236 consecutive patients (age: 60 ± 9 years; 41% female) who underwent serial CCTA at an interval of ≥2 years were included from an international registry. Patients with prior revascularization or nonanalyzable coronary CTAs were excluded. Total coronary plaque volume was assessed and subclassified based on specific Hounsfield unit (HU) threshold: necrotic core, fibrofatty plaque, and fibrous plaque and dense calcium. Luminal attenuation was measured in the aorta. RESULTS With increasing luminal HU (<350, 350-500, and >500 HU), percent calcified plaque was increased (16%, 27%, and 40% in the median; P < 0.001), and fibrofatty plaque (26%, 13%, and 4%; P < 0.001) and necrotic core (1.6%, 0.3%, and 0.0%; P < 0.001) were decreased. Higher tube voltage scanning (80, 100, and 120 kV) resulted in decreasing luminal attenuation (689 ± 135, 497 ± 89, and 391 ± 73 HU; P < 0.001) and calcified plaque volume (59%, 34%, and 23%; P < 0.001) and increased fibrofatty plaque (3%, 9%, and 18%; P < 0.001) and necrotic core (0.2%, 0.1%, and 0.6%; P < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that the impact of 100 kV on plaque composition, compared with 120 kV, was primarily caused by an indirect effect through blood pool attenuation. Tube voltage scanning of 80 kV maintained a direct effect on fibrofatty plaque and necrotic core in addition to an indirect effect through the luminal attenuation. CONCLUSIONS Low tube voltage usage affected plaque morphology, mainly through an increase in luminal HU with a resultant increase in calcified plaque and a reduction in fibrofatty and necrotic core. These findings should be considered as CCTA-based plaque measures are being used to guide medical management and, in particular, when being used as a measure of treatment response. (Progression of Atherosclerotic Plaque Determined by Computed Tomographic Angiography Imaging [PARADIGM]; NCT02803411).

Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia (English Edition), 2021

Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interve... more Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interventional therapies. It is increasing in frequency, due to the success of current medical and interventional therapies in improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease. Long-term mortality is similar to that of patients with asymptomatic stable disease, but it affects patients' quality of life, and has a significant impact on health care resources. Several therapeutic targets have been investigated, most with disappointing results. Many of the techniques have been abandoned because of lack of efficacy, safety issues, or economic and logistic limitations to wider applicability. The primary focus of this review is the coronary sinus Reducer, supporting evidence for which, although scarce, is promising regarding safety and efficacy in improving anginal symptoms and quality of life. It is also accessible to virtually all interventional cardiology departments.

Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, 2020

BACKGROUND The association of age with coronary plaque dynamics is not well characterized by coro... more BACKGROUND The association of age with coronary plaque dynamics is not well characterized by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). METHODS From a multinational registry of patients who underwent serial CCTA, 1153 subjects (61 ± 5 years old, 61.1% male) were analyzed. Annualized volume changes of total, fibrous, fibrofatty, necrotic core, and dense calcification plaque components of the whole heart were compared by age quartile groups. Clinical events, a composite of all-cause death, acute coronary syndrome, and any revascularization after 30 days of the initial CCTA, were also analyzed. Random forest analysis was used to define the relative importance of age on plaque progression. RESULTS With a 3.3-years' median interval between the two CCTA, the median annual volume changes of total plaque in each age quartile group was 7.8, 10.5, 10.8, and 12.1 mm3/year and for dense calcification, 2.5, 4.6, 5.4, and 7.1 mm3/year, both of which demonstrated a tendency to increase by age (p-for-trend = 0.001 and < 0.001, respectively). However, this tendency was not observed in any other plaque components. The annual volume changes of total plaque and dense calcification were also significantly different in the propensity score-matched lowest age quartile group versus the other age groups as was the composite clinical event (log-rank p = 0.003). In random forest analysis, age had comparable importance in the total plaque volume progression as other traditional factors. CONCLUSIONS The rate of whole-heart plaque progression and dense calcification increases depending on age. Age is a significant factor in plaque growth, the importance of which is comparable to other traditional risk factors. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifiers: NCT02803411.

JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, 2020

OBJECTIVES The study sought to explore sex-based differences in total and compositional plaque vo... more OBJECTIVES The study sought to explore sex-based differences in total and compositional plaque volume (PV) progression. BACKGROUND It is unclear whether sex has an impact on PV progression in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS The study analyzed a prospective multinational registry of consecutive patients with suspected CAD who underwent 2 or more clinically indicated coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) at ≥2-year intervals. Total and compositional PV at baseline and follow-up were quantitatively analyzed and normalized using the analyzed total vessel length. Multivariate linear regression models were constructed. RESULTS Of the 1,255 patients included (median coronary CTA interval 3.8 years), 543 were women and 712 were men. Women were older (62 ± 9 years of age vs. 59 ± 9 years of age; p < 0.001) and had higher total cholesterol levels (195 ± 41 mg/dl vs. 187 ± 39 mg/dl; p = 0.002). Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and family history of CAD were not different (all p > 0.05). At baseline, men possessed greater total PV (31.3 mm3 [interquartile range (IQR): 0 to 121.8 mm3] vs. 56.7 mm3 [IQR: 6.8 to 152.1 mm3] p = 0.005), and there was an approximately 9-year delay in women in developing total PV than in men. The prevalence of high-risk plaques was greater in men than women (31% vs. 20%; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, clinical risk factors, medication use, and total PV at baseline, despite similar total PV progression rates, female sex was associated with greater calcified PV progression (β = 2.83; p = 0.004) but slower noncalcified PV progression (β = -3.39; p = 0.008) and less development of high-risk plaques (β = -0.18; p = 0.049) than in men. CONCLUSIONS The compositional PV progression differed according to sex, suggesting that comprehensive plaque evaluation may contribute to further refining of risk stratification according to sex. (NCT02803411).

Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Jan 4, 2016

27.1%; p < 0.0001, respectively). Serum C-reactive protein levels were also significantly higher ... more 27.1%; p < 0.0001, respectively). Serum C-reactive protein levels were also significantly higher in the bypass group (median 22.0 mg/l vs. 7.0 mg/l; p < 0.0001). During the follow-up period, 61 major

Revista Española de Cardiología, 2016

Introduccio´n y objetivos: Se ha demostrado que el armazó n vascular bioabsorbible Absorb produce... more Introduccio´n y objetivos: Se ha demostrado que el armazó n vascular bioabsorbible Absorb produce una disminució n del á rea total de las placas en el segmento tratado. Sin embargo, no se sabe si el tamañ o de la placa se modifica tan solo en los segmentos tratados con armazones o si la modificació n se extiende tambié n a otros segmentos coronarios. Me´todos: El Absorb Cohort A es un estudio prospectivo de un solo grupo, en el que se evalú an variables de valoració n de seguridad y de resultados en exploraciones de imagen en 30 pacientes tratados mediante intervenció n coronaria percutá nea con el armazó n vascular bioabsorbible Absorb de primera generació n. Se utilizaron exploraciones de tomografía computarizada multicorte no invasivas de 18 pacientes a los 18 meses y a los 5 añ os de seguimiento. El presente estudio es una comparació n intraindividual de segmentos de características comparables (normalizados respecto a la longitud del segmento) de la regió n tratada con armazones frente a segmentos no tratados, en la que se evaluó el volumen de la luz vascular, el volumen del vaso, el volumen de las placas, la carga de placa y el cambio porcentual en el volumen de ateroma de las placas. Resultados: Se pudo analizar los 18 segmentos tratados con armazones. De los segmentos a los que no se aplicó la intervenció n, 1 de un total de 72 presentó un artefacto de movimiento y fue excluido. La comparació n de exploraciones secuenciales puso de manifiesto que los segmentos tratados con armazones no presentaban un cambio significativo de la carga media de placas, el volumen total de ateroma, el volumen total de la luz o el volumen del vaso entre los 18 meses y los 5 añ os. En cambio, los segmentos no tratados mostraban un aumento significativo de la carga de placa (2,7 AE 6,5%; p < 0,01) y los volú menes de placas normalizados (8,0 AE 22,8 mm 3 ; p < 0,01). Esto dio lugar a una diferencia significativa en la carga de placa entre los segmentos tratados con armazones y los no tratados (p = 0,03). Conclusiones: En esta pequeñ a serie, el armazó n vascular bioabsorbible Absorb mostró potencial de aportar un beneficio adicional al del tratamiento farmacoló gico en cuanto a la reducció n local de la progresió n en el porcentaje de carga de placa. Se deberá confirmar estos resultados en estudios má s amplios.

European Heart Journal, 2013

Cardiovascular computed tomography imaging 839 rograde approach alone and 13 (38.2%) of the attem... more Cardiovascular computed tomography imaging 839 rograde approach alone and 13 (38.2%) of the attempts utilized a bidirectional approach. The overall success rate per attempt was 85.3%. Calcium occupying >50% of CSA by CTCA was the only predictor of failure of the antegrade approach for CTO PCI; p=0.036. There were trends of longer estimated CTO duration and longer estimated CTO length in the failed antegrade approaches for CTO PCI (p=0.073, p=0.063 respectively). None of the CTCA or the CCA factors was found to predict the outcome of the retrograde approach for CTO PCI. A trend of successful outcome of the retrograde approach for CTO PCI was noted with higher Werner collateral channel grades (p=0.057). Conclusions: CTCA provides better means of detection and assessment of calcification within the coronary CTO lesions than CCA. Severe calcification (>50% of CSA by CTCA) was the only statistically significant predictor of failure of the antegrade approach for CTO PCI.

Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, 2005

There is disagreement concerning the prognostic value of a prior history of percutaneous coronary... more There is disagreement concerning the prognostic value of a prior history of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This study characterizes these patients and investigates the impact of prior PCI on their prognosis. 448 consecutive patients admitted due to ACS between 1998 and 2000 were evaluated. Patients with prior PCI were compared to the others with regard to baseline demographic and clinical features. The study endpoint was death or myocardial infarction at one-year follow-up. The impact of prior PCI on the outcome was analyzed. In patients with prior PCI, the prognostic value of the time interval between PCI and current admission was assessed. In those patients who underwent coronary angiography during the index hospitalization, the culprit lesion features were evaluated. 134 patients (30%) with prior PCI were identified. Overall ACS patients had an event rate of 19% at one year. A history of prior PCI...

European Heart Journal, 2013

Interventional cardiology 229 sis were performed based on the post-PCI angiogram. CFV (vessel len... more Interventional cardiology 229 sis were performed based on the post-PCI angiogram. CFV (vessel length/TIMI frame count/15) and an index of disturbed flow (Reynolds number: velocity/diameter/density/viscosity) were measured both throughout the target vessel and in the stent-implanted region. Target lesion revascularization (TLR) occurred in 12 lesions (12.0%) at the follow-up period of 20.9±10.4 months. There were no significant differences between TLR group (12 lesions) and Non-TLR group (88 lesions) in terms of CFV and Reynolds number throughout the target vessel (195.4±66.8mm/sec vs. 159.8±56.6, p=0.17, 153.4±75.4 vs. 119.7±59.4, p=0.08, respectively). However, in the stent-implanted region, CFV and Reynolds number of the TLR group were significantly higher than the Non-TLR group (222.8±70.7mm/sec vs. 160.5±77.2, p=0.006, 186.1±65.7 vs. 132.4±71.2, p=0.01, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that Reynolds number in the stent-implanted region after EES was an independent predictor of TLR in the HD patients (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.023, p=0.02). Conclusion: In the stent-implanted region, CFV and Reynolds number were significantly higher in the TLR group than the Non-TLR group. High disturbed flow in stent-implanted region after EES may predict the risk of TLR in HD patients.

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging, 2013

Capítulo 4. Doença coronária não obstrutiva-identificação por angio TC cardíaca RESUMO: Neste cap... more Capítulo 4. Doença coronária não obstrutiva-identificação por angio TC cardíaca RESUMO: Neste capitulo é descrita a capacidade da angio TC cardíaca identificar a presença da doença coronária não obstrutiva, característica impar entre os vários exames de diagnóstico não invasivos em cardiologia. O desempenho da angio TC na identificação da placa aterosclerótica é comparado com o dos métodos de imagem intracoronária. Neste capítulo é feita ainda uma revisão dos diferentes marcadores de aterosclerose subclínica e das actuais limitações ao uso da angio TC com este objectivo. Foram incluídos neste capítulo dois artigos: O artigo 11 discute, a propósito de um caso clínico, o contraste entre a carga aterosclerótica documentada por angio TC e o risco cardiovascular; o artigo 12 é um artigo original em que foi avaliada a prevalência e os preditores de doença coronária na ausência de calcificação coronária.

European Heart Journal, 2005

Aims Regarding prognosis, patients with a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are a ve... more Aims Regarding prognosis, patients with a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are a very heterogeneous population, with varying risks of early and long-term adverse events. Early risk stratification at admission seems to be essential for a tailored therapeutic strategy. We sought to compare the prognostic value of three ACS risk scores (RSs) and their ability to predict benefit from myocardial revascularization performed during initial hospitalization. Methods and results We studied 460 consecutive patients admitted to our coronary care unit with an ACS [age: 63 + 11 years, 21.5% female, 55% with myocardial infarction (MI)]. For each patient, the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI), Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable agina: Receptor Suppression Using Integrilin (PURSUIT), and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) RSs were calculated using specific variables collected at admission. Their prognostic value was evaluated by the combined endpoint of death or MI at 1 year. The best cutoff value for each RS, calculated with receiver operating characteristic curves, was used to assess the impact of myocardial revascularization on the combined incidence of death or MI. Death or MI at 1 year was 15.4% (32 deaths/49 MIs). The best predictive accuracy for death or MI at 1 year was obtained by the GRACE RS (AUC) [area under the curve: 0.715; confidence interval (CI: 0.672-0.756)] but the performance of the PURSUIT RS (AUC: 0.630; CI: 0.584-0.674), and TIMI RS (AUC: 0.585; CI: 0.539-0.631) was also good. We found a statistically significant interaction between the risk stratified by the best cutoff value for the GRACE and PURSUIT RSs and myocardial revascularization, with a better prognosis for the high-risk patients. The high-risk patients represented 36.7, 28.7, and 57.8% of the population, for the GRACE, PURSUIT, and TIMI RSs, respectively. Conclusion The RSs studied demonstrated a good predictive accuracy for death or MI at 1 year and enabled the identification of high-risk subsets of patients who will benefit most from myocardial revascularization performed during initial hospital stay.

Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 2011

Background: Recurrent ischemia is frequent in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndr... more Background: Recurrent ischemia is frequent in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NST-ACS), and portends a worse prognosis. Continuous ST-segment monitoring (CSTM) reflects the dynamic nature of ischemia and allows the detection of silent episodes. The aim of this study is to investigate whether CSTM adds prognostic information to the risk scores (RS) currently used. Methods: We studied 234 patients with NST-ACS in whom CSTM was performed in the first 24 hours after admission. An ST episode was defined as a transient ST-segment deviation in ≥1 lead of ≥ 0.1 mV, and persisting ≥1minute. Three RS were calculated: Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI; for NST-ACS), Platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa in Unstable angina: Receptor Supression Using Integrilin (PURSUIT; death/MI model), and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE). The end point was defined as death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), during 1-year follow-up. Results: ST episodes were detected in 54 patients (23.1%) and associated with worse 1-year outcome: 25.9% end point rate versus 12.2% (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.51; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.18-5, 35; P = 0.026). All three RS predicted 1-year outcome, but the GRACE (c-statistic = 0.755; 95% CI, 0.695-0.809) was superior to both TIMI (c-statistic = 0.632; 95% CI, 0.567-0.694) and PURSUIT (c-statistic = 0.644; 95% CI: 0.579-0.706). A GRACE RS > 124 showed the highest accuracy for predicting end point. The presence of ST episodes added independent prognostic information the TIMI RS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.13-4.38) and to PURSUIT RS (HR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.03-3.98), but not to the GRACE RS. Conclusions: CSTM provides incremental prognostic information beyond the TIMI and PURSUIT RS, but not the GRACE risk score. Hence, the GRACE risk score should be the preferred stratification model in daily practice.

Physiological Assessment of Coronary Stenoses and the Microcirculation, 2017

Fig. 15.1 A 64-year-old man referred for angiography for stable angina. An intermediate stenosis ... more Fig. 15.1 A 64-year-old man referred for angiography for stable angina. An intermediate stenosis in mid-RCA was noted. FFR was negative (0.82). Revascularization was deferred. RCA right coronary artery. Fig. 15.2 A 57-year-old woman referred for angiography for stable angina. An intermediate stenosis in distal-RCA was noted. FFR was positive (0.67). Revascularization performed with PCI. RCA right coronary artery D. Neves et al.