Morphological characteristics of lesions with thin cap fibroatheroma—a substudy from the COMBINE (OCT-FFR) trial

Heparin Reversal for Coronary Artery Perforation

BACKGROUND

Reversing heparin when managing coronary artery perforation (CAP) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can provide hemostasis but may cause coronary thrombosis if a device is still present in a coronary artery.

AIMS

To assess the impact of heparin reversal while an intracoronary artery device is in place for CAP.

METHODS

This study analyzed CAP cases during PCI from January 2006 to October 2023. Patients were grouped according to implementing heparin reversal while an intracoronary artery device was in place. The safety outcome was coronary thrombosis after CAP. The efficacy outcomes were successful hemostasis and death from any cause.

RESULTS

CAP occurred in 368 of 22,368 cases (1.6%). Patients who had heparin reversal with a device in place comprised 211 (57%). Among these, coronary thrombosis occurred in 16 (7.6%). An activated clotting time (ACT) 〈150 seconds was significantly correlated with coronary thrombosis. Heparin reversal with a device in place was significantly associated with successful hemostasis (heparin reversal 91% vs. no heparin reversal 73%; adjusted odds ratio 2.78; 95% confidence interval 1.27-6.13; p = 0.011), but was not different for death from any cause (heparin reversal 4.3% vs. no heparin reversal 5.7%; adjusted odds ratio 0.97; 95% confidence interval 0.28-3.43; p = 0.964).

CONCLUSION

Heparin reversal with a device in place was associated with an increased risk of coronary thrombosis when ACT was less than 150 seconds. While it may not have a substantial association with a reduced risk of mortality, it offers an advantage in achieving successful hemostasis.

Comparison of adverse cardiovascular event endpoints between patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes based on coronary artery plaques: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The classification of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) endpoints in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and either confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD) or high CAD risk, as well as the extent of the association between T2DM and coronary plaque characteristics, remains uncertain.

PURPOSE

This meta-analysis aims to compare MACE endpoints between patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes based on coronary artery plaques.

METHODS

We searched studies from Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library up until September 1, 2023. Two independent researchers evaluated the quality and bias of the included studies. We used odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the effect of individual lesion parameters and coronary artery plaque characteristics on MACE endpoints.

RESULTS

Seven studies covered 1218 patients with diabetes and 3038 patients without diabetes. The follow-up time ranged from 2 to 5.4 years. The pooled results indicated that in all CAD lesions, DM was more strongly associated with MACE, myocardial infarction (MI), revascularization, and rehospitalization for unstable or progressive angina. The pooled OR was 1.82 (95% CI: 1.42 to 2.33, I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001) for MACE, 2.36 (95% CI: 1.47 to 3.79, I2 = 0%, P = 0.0004) for MI, 1.83 (95% CI: 1.33 to 2.53, I2 = 0%, P = 0.0002) for revascularization, and 1.65 (95% CI: 1.20 to 2.27, I2 = 0%, P = 0.002) for rehospitalization respectively. Subgroup analysis of culprit lesions (CLs) revealed significant differences between DM and non-DM for MACE, MI, revascularization, and stent thrombosis. While non-culprit lesions (NCLs) showed differences for MACE, MI, revascularization, and rehospitalization between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The rates of MACE, MI, and revascularization are greater in DM than in non-DM patients in terms of all lesions, CLs, and NCLs. Except for CLs, the readmission rate is greater for unstable or progressive angina. Plaque characteristics are similar between patients with and without diabetes. Prospero registration number CRD42023474226.

Medically Treated Nonischemic Thin-Cap Fibroatheroma Lesions Versus Fractional Flow Reserve-Guided Complete Revascularization in Diabetic Patients

Background

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is an established method to guide decisions on revascularization; however, in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), FFR-negative lesions carrying an optical coherence tomography-detected thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) remain at high risk for adverse cardiac events.

Methods

In this prespecified subanalysis of the COMBINE OCT-FFR trial, DM patients with ≥1 FFR-negative, TCFA-positive medically treated target lesions referred to as vulnerable plaque (VP group), were compared to patients with exclusively FFR-positive target lesions who underwent complete revascularization (CR group). The primary endpoint was first and recurrent event analysis for target lesion failure and the secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, or hospitalization due to unstable angina.

Results

Among 550 patients enrolled, 98 belonged to the VP group while 93 to the CR group and were followed up to 5 years. The VP group had a higher occurrence of the primary endpoint (20.4% vs 8.6%; HR, 2.22; 95% CI, 0.98-5.04; P = .06). Recurrent event analysis showed that the VP group had significantly higher rates of the primary and secondary endpoints (9.17 vs 3.76 events per 100 PY; RR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.16-5.60; P = .01 and 13.45 vs 5.63 events per 100 PY; RR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.30-4.62; P < .01).

Conclusions

In a population with DM, medically treated nonischemic, TCFA-carrying target lesions were associated with higher risk of reoccurring adverse cardiac events compared to target lesions that underwent complete revascularization, opening the discussion about whether a focal preventive revascularization strategy could be contemplated for highly vulnerable lesions.

Prognostic value of optical flow ratio for cardiovascular outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary stent implantation

Background

The relationship between the optical flow ratio (OFR) and clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after percutaneous coronary stent implantation (PCI) remains unknown.

Objective

To examine the correlation between post-PCI OFR and clinical outcomes in patients with CAD following PCI.

Methods

Patients who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) guided PCI at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively and continuously enrolled. Clinical data, post-PCI OCT characteristics, and OFR measurements were collected and analyzed to identify predictors of target vessel failure (TVF) after PCI.

Results

Among 354 enrolled patients, 26 suffered TVF during a median follow-up of 484 (IQR: 400-774) days. Post-PCI OFR was significantly lower in the TVF group than in the non-TVF group (0.89 vs. 0.93; P = 0.001). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, post-PCI OFR (HR per 0.1 increase: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.41-0.89; P = 0.011), large stent edge dissection (HR: 3.85; 95% CI: 1.51-9.84; P = 0.005) and thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) (HR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.19-7.35; P = 0.020) in the non-stented segment were independently associated with TVF. In addition, the inclusion of post-PCI OFR to baseline characteristics and post-PCI OCT findings improved the predictive power of the model to distinguish subsequent TVF after PCI (0.838 vs. 0.796; P = 0.028).

Conclusion

The post-PCI OFR serves as an independent determinant of risk for TVF in individuals with CAD after PCI. The inclusion of post-PCI OFR assessments, alongside baseline characteristics and post-PCI OCT findings, substantially enhances the capacity to differentiate the subsequent manifestation of TVF in CAD patients following PCI.

Exploring new insights in coronary lesion assessment and treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus: the impact of optical coherence tomography

In this review, we summarise new insights into diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the improvements in therapy, the clinical management of DM patients remains challenging as they develop more extensive CAD at a younger age and consistently have worse clinical outcomes than non-DM patients. Current diagnostic modalities as well as revascularisation treatments mainly focus on ischemic lesions. However, the impact of plaque morphology and composition are emerging as strong predictors of adverse cardiac events even in the absence of identified ischemia. In particular, the presence of vulnerable plaques such as thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA) lesions has been identified as a very strong predictor of future adverse events. This emphasises the need for an approach combining both functional and morphological methods in the assessment of lesions. In particular, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has proven to be a valuable asset by truly identifying TCFAs. New treatment strategies should consist of individualised and advanced medical regimens and may evolve towards plaque sealing through percutaneous treatment.

Current Role of Intracoronary Imaging for Implementing Risk Stratification and Tailoring Culprit Lesion Treatment: A Narrative Review

Our understanding of the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome and of the vascular biology of coronary atherosclerosis has made enormous progress with the implementation of intravascular imaging. Intravascular imaging contributes to overcoming the known limitations of coronary angiography and allows for the in vivo discrimination of plaque morphology giving insight into the underlying pathology of the disease process. The possibility of using intracoronary imaging to characterize lesion morphologies and correlate them with clinical presentations may influence the treatment of patients and improve risk stratification, offering the opportunity for tailored management. This review examines the current role of intravascular imaging and describes how intracoronary imaging represents a valuable tool for modern interventional cardiology in order to improve diagnostic accuracy and offer a tailored approach to the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease, especially in the acute setting.

Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention after Acute Coronary Syndrome: Emerging Risk Factors and Novel Therapeutic Targets

The control of cardiovascular risk factors, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and antithrombotic therapy are the cornerstones of secondary prevention after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, many patients have recurrent ischemic events despite the optimal control of traditional modifiable risk factors and the use of tailored pharmacological therapy, including new-generation antiplatelet and lipid-lowering agents. This evidence emphasizes the importance of identifying novel risk factors and targets to optimize secondary preventive strategies. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) has emerged as an independent predictor of adverse events after ACS. New molecules such as anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, small interfering RNAs, and antisense oligonucleotides can reduce plasma Lp(a) levels and are associated with a long-term outcome benefit after the index event. The inflammatory stimulus and the inflammasome, pivotal elements in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, have been widely investigated in patients with coronary artery disease. More recently, randomized clinical trials including post-ACS patients treated with colchicine and monoclonal antibodies targeting cytokines yielded promising results in the reduction in major cardiovascular events after an ACS. Gut dysbiosis has also raised great interest for its potential pathophysiological role in cardiovascular disease. This evidence, albeit preliminary and needing confirmation by larger population-based studies, suggests the possibility of targeting the gut microbiome in particularly high-risk populations. The risk of recurrent ischemic events after ACS is related to the complex interaction between intrinsic predisposing factors and environmental triggers. The identification of novel risk factors and targets is fundamental to customizing patient clinical management with a precision medicine perspective.