Accurate diagnosis of severe coronary stenosis based on resting magnetocardiography: a prospective, single-center, cross-sectional analysis

OBJECTIVE To evalu ate the role of resting magnetocardiography in identifying seve re coronary artery stenosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.METHODS A total of 513 patients with angina symptoms were included and divided into two groups based on the extent of coronary artery disease determined by angiography:the non-severe coronary stenusis group(<70% stenosis) and the severe coronary stenosis group(≥70% stenosis).The diagnostic model was constructed using magnetic field map(MFM) parameters,either individually or in combination with clinical indicators.The performance of the models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves,accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV) and ne gative predictive value(NPV).Calibration plots and decision curve analysis were performed to investigate the clinical utility and performance of the models,respectively.RESULTS In the severe coronary stenosis group,QR_MCTDd,S_MDp,and TT_(MA)C_(50) were significantly higher than those in the non-severe coronary stenosis group(10,46±10.66 vs,5.11±6.07,P <0.001;7.2±8.64 vs.4.68±6.95,P=0.003;0.32±57.29 vs.0.26±57.29,P <0.001).While,QR_MV_(amp),R_(MA),and T_(MA) in the severe coronary stenosis group were lower(0.23±0.16 vs.0.28±0.16,P<0.001;55.06±48.68 vs.59.24±53.01,P<0.001;51.67±39.32 vs. 60.45±51.33,P <0.001).Seven MFM parameters were integrated into the model,resulting in an area under the curve of 0.810(95% CI:0.765-0.855).The sensitivity,specificity,PPV,NPV,and accurecy were 71.7%,80.4%,93.3%,42.8 %,and 73.5%;respectevely.The combined model exhibited an area under the curve of 0.845(95% CI:0.798-0.892).The sensitivity,specificity,PPV,NPV,and accuracy were 84.3%,73.8%,92.6%,54.6%,and 82.1%;respectively.Calibration curves demonstrate d excellent agreement between the nomogram prediction and actual observation.The decision curve analysis showed that the c ombine d model provided greater net benefit compared to the magnetocardingraphy model.CONCLUSIONS The novel quantitative MFM parameters,whether used individually or in combination with clinical indicators,have been shown to effectively pre dict the risk of severe coronary stenosis in patients presenting with angina-like symptoms.Magnetocardiography,an emerging non-invasive diagnostic tool,warrants further exploration for its potential in diagnosing coronary heart disease.

Significance of balloon aortic valvuloplasty as palliative procedure for symptom benefit in patients with severe aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis(AS)stands out as the most prevalent individual valvular defect globally.The onset and progression of AS mirror an active process akin to atherosclerosis,and the traditional triad of symptoms includes chest pain,breathlessness,and loss of consciousness.Prognosis takes a significant downturn when symptoms manifest,with mortality reaching approximately 50%-85% within the subsequent 5 years after symptom onset.

CT-based radiomics:predicting early outcomes after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate non-contrast computed tomography(CT)-based radiomics for predicting early outcomes in patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis(ARAS)after percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty(PTRA).A total of 52 patients were retrospectively recruited,and their clinical characteristics and pretreatment CT images were collected.During a median follow-up period of 3.7 mo,18 patients were confirmed to have benefited from the treatment,defined as a 20%improvement from baseline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate.A deep learning network trained via self-supervised learning was used to enhance the imaging phenotype characteristics.Radiomics features,comprising 116 handcrafted features and 78 deep learning features,were extracted from the affected renal and perirenal adipose regions.More features from the latter were correlated with early outcomes,as determined by univariate analysis,and were visually represented in radiomics heatmaps and volcano plots.After using consensus clustering and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method for feature selection,five machine learning models were evaluated.Logistic regression yielded the highest leave-one-out cross-validation accuracy of 0.780(95%CI:0.660-0.880)for the renal signature,while the support vector machine achieved 0.865(95%CI:0.769-0.942)for the perirenal adipose signature.SHapley Additive exPlanations was used to visually interpret the prediction mechanism,and a histogram feature and a deep learning feature were identified as the most influential factors for the renal signature and perirenal adipose signature,respectively.Multivariate analysis revealed that both signatures served as independent predictive factors.When combined,they achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.888(95%CI:0.784-0.992),indicating that the imaging phenotypes from both regions complemented each other.In conclusion,non-contrast CT-based radiomics can be leveraged to predict the early outcomes of PTRA,thereby assisting in identifying patients with ARAS suitable for this treatment,with perirenal adipose tissue providing added predictive value.

Long-term outcomes after fractional flow reserve-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe coronary stenosis

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of FFR-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in vessels with severe diameter stenosis. Methods & Results Of 1090 patients undergoing fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment from 2002 to 2009,we identified 167 patients in whom FFR was measured in at least one 70%–89% stenotic lesion. These patients were subdivided into an FFR-defer group (n = 49) if PCI was deferred (FFR > 0.80),and an FFR-perform group (n = 118) if PCI was performed (FFR ≤ 0.80). Comparatively,an additional 1176 patients undergoing PCI in at least one lesion with 70%–89% stenosis but without measurement of FFR served as a control (angiography- guided) group. Clinical outcomes were compared during a median follow-up of 49.0 months. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimated revascularization rates were 16% in the FFR-defer group and 33% in the FFR-perform group (P = 0.046). The incidence of major adverse cardiac events were comparable in these two groups (HR = 0.82,95% CI: 0.37–1.82,P = 0.63). The number of stents placed was significantly lower in the FFR-guided group (0.9 ± 0.8 vs. 1.4 ± 0.8,P < 0.001). Conclusions Functional revascularization for lesions with visually severe stenosis is clinically safe and associated with fewer stents use. This study suggests that extending the use of FFR to more severe coronary lesions may be reasonable.

Medical management of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis in patients non-eligible for transcatheter aortic valve implantation

1 Transcatheter aortic valve implantation in symptomatic severe aortic stenosis: where do we stand? Aortic stenosis occurs in 2%-9% of patients over the age of 65, the most common cause being degenerative.^([1,2]) The preferred treatment in symptomatic severe aortic stenosis(SAS) is surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR), but in the elderly, the surgical risk can be greater than the benefit.([3]).

Application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the endoscopic treatment of severe benign airway stenosis:A case report and literature review

Ventilation strategies in patients with severe tracheal stenosis should be tailored to the patient according to the underlying cause and narrowing location.This report is on a case of a 68-year-old male patient,who was admitted for radiotherapy because of esophageal cancer and then developed severe stenosis at the cervical trachea.We used venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to secure the airway and ensure adequate oxygenation.Then urgent endoscopic balloon dilation of airway stenosis was successfully performed under general anesthesia.This case shows that venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can be used in endoscopic tracheal procedures for patients with severe benign stenosis in the upper-trachea who are unable to tolerate conventional ventilation.

Successful minimal approach transcatheter aortic valve replacement in an allograft heart recipient 19 years post transplantation for severe aortic stenosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Aortic stenosis is one of the rare valvular complications in a transplanted heart.Over the past 8 years,transcatheter approach for aortic valve replacement(TAVR)has been slowly evolving to be the preferred approach in these patient population when compared to the surgical approach.We report a second case in the United States with successful transfemoral minimal approach with minimal sedation for TAVR in a heart transplant recipient 19 years post transplantation for severe symptomatic calcified aortic stenosis.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of 73-year-old male who has undergone successful minimal approach transcatheter aortic valve replacement in an allograft heart.Patient had received orthotopic heart transplantation 19 years ago for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.Follow up transthoracic echocardiograms as per routine protocol did not show any aortic valve disease until 15 years post transplantation.Aortic valve was noted to be mildly sclerotic at that time and gradually progressed to severe symptomatic aortic stenosis over the next 4 years.Patient had complaints of worsening shortness of breath that limited his functional capacity.Overall his post heart transplantation period has been mostly uneventful except for allograft non occlusive vasculopathy and aortic stenosis.His Society of Thoracic Surgery risk score was 12.205%and he was considered to be a high-risk surgical candidate by surgeon.Decision was made to undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement.CONCLUSION With the improved survival of these patients,we think it is time to look intopathophysiology of valvular disease in transplant heart recipients.Some other unanswered questions include,underlying donor and recipient risk factors for valvular diseases in heart transplant recipients.

Balloon valvuloplasty as destination therapy in elderly with severe aortic stenosis： a cardiac catheterization study

Background In the current era of transcatheter aortic valve replacement, there is renewed interest in balloon aortic valvuloplasty （BAV） and invasive hemodynarnic evaluation of aortic stenosis （AS）. The current report aimed to study the invasive hemodynamics of se- vere AS patients treated with BAV as destination therapy and to identify factors associated with better hemodynamic outcome and prognosis. Methods From 2009 to 2012, 63 high risk elderly patients were treated with BAV as destination therapy for symptomatic severe AS and were all prospectively included in the study. Their hemodynamies were invasively evaluated during catheterization, pre- and post-BAV at the same session. All Post-BAV patients were regularly followed-up. Results The patients （82 ~ 6 years, 52% male） had post-BAV aortic valve area index （AVAi） significantly increased and mean pressure gradient （MPG） significantly reduced. During the follow-up of 0.9 （maximum 3.3） years, those with post-BAV AVAi 〈 0.6 cm2/m2 compared with the AVAi _〉 0.6 cm2/m2 group had significantly higher mortality （60% vs. 28%, log-rank P = 0.02）, even after adjusting for age, gender, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease and EuroSCORE [HR： 5.58, 95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.62-19.20, P = 0.006]. The only independent predictor of moderate AS post-BAV was the pre-BAV AVAi increase by 0.1cm^2/m^2 （OR： 3.81, 95% CI： 1.33-10.89, P = 0.01）. Pre-BAV AVAi 〉 0.39 cm^2/m^2 could predict with sensitivity 84% and specificity 70% the post-BAV hemodynamic outcome. Conclusions BAV as destination therapy for severe AS offered immediate and significant hemodynamic improvement. The survival was significantly better when a moderate degree of AS was present.

CAS and CEA in the Treatment of Severe Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis

Objective:To explore the clinical value of carotid artery stent implantation(CAS)and carotid endarterectomy(CEA)in the treatment of patients with severe internal carotid artery stenosis.Methods:88 patients with severe carotid artery stenosis who underwent CAS and CEA in the First People's Hospital of Changde City(hereafter referred as "our hospital")from January 2018 to December 2020 were selected as the research objects and divided into CAS group(n=43)and CEA group(n=45).To understand the clinical application value and feasibility of the two surgical schemes by comparing the general situation,cerebral blood flow,MMSE scale,MOCA scale score and serum miR-145,IGF1R levels of the two surgical schemes.Conclusions:CAS and CEA in the treatment of patients with severe internal carotid artery stenosis,have good curative effect,can effectively improve the patient's cerebral blood flow,regulate serum miR-145,IGF 1R levels,promote the recovery of cognitive function,but relatively speaking,the incidence of stroke and hypotension after CAS is higher,and the incidence of hypertension after CEA is higher.

An Integrated Analysis of Risk Factors of Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Severe Carotid Artery Stenosis

Objective To investigate cognitive dysfunction in patients with carotid artery stenosis(CAS) and potential risk factors related to cognitive-especially memory-dysfunction. Methods Forty-seven patients with carotid artery stenosis were recruited into our study cohort. The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA) were adopted to assess cognitive function, the Wechsler Memory Scale(WMS) to assess memory function, high-resolution MRI and enhanced ultrasound to evaluate carotid plaques, and computed tomography perfusion(CTP) imaging to evaluate intracranial blood perfusion. Single-factor analysis and multiple-factor regression analysis were used to analyze potential risk factors of cognitive impairment. Results Mini-Mental State Examination test results showed that 22 patients had cognitive impairment, and MoCA test results showed that 10 patients had cognitive impairment. Analysis of various risk factors indicated that the average memory quotient of female patients was higher than that of males(P = 0.024). The cognitive and memory performance of those with an educational background above high school were significantly better than those of participants with high school or lower(P = 0.045). Patients with abnormal intracranial perfusion performed worse on the MMSE test(P = 0.024), and their WMS scores were significantly lower(P = 0.007). The MMSE scores and the memory quotients were significantly lower in patients with a history of cerebral infarction(MMSE, P = 0.047, memory quotient score, P = 0.018). Conclusion A history of cerebral infarction and abnormal cerebral perfusion are associated with decline in overall cognitive function and memory in patients with carotid stenosis. Being female and having an educational background above high school may be protective factors in the development of cognitive dysfunction.

Diagnosis and management of patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis(AS) is a disease that progresses slowly for years without symptoms, so patients need to be carefully managed with appropriate follow up and referred for aortic valve replacement in a timely manner. Development of symptoms is a clear indication for aortic valve intervention in patients with severe AS. The decision for early surgery in patients with asymptomatic severe AS is more complex. In this review, we discuss how to identify high-risk patients with asymptomatic severe AS who may benefit from early surgery.

A meta-analysis of 1-year outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis

Background Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)for the treatment symptomatic severe aortic stenosis(AS)is indicated in patients with intermediate or higher surgical risk.Latest trials showed TAVR,and surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR)perform similarly at 1-year for the composite outcomes of mortality,stroke and rehospitalization.We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to compare individual outcomes at 1-year for TAVR compared to SAVR in low-risk patients.Methods Pub Med,Embase,and Cochrane central were searched for all the randomized controlled trials(RCTs)that reported 1-year comparative outcomes of TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR).Our conclusions are based upon the random-effects model using Der Simonian-Laird estimator.Results Data from 4 trials and 2887 randomized patients showed that TAVR had lower rates of all-cause mortality,cardiovascular mortality,and atrial fibrillation compared to SAVR at 1-year follow-up(P<0.05 for all).Also,TAVR was also associated with a significantly higher risk of permanent pacemaker implantation and moderate-severe paravalvular leak(P<0.05).Conclusions The latest randomised trial data demonstrates that in short-term,TAVR is safe and effective in reducing all-cause mortality or stroke.Longer follow-up of RCTs is needed to determine the durability of clinical benefits in TAVR over SAVR in low-risk patients.

Angioplasty and stenting for severe vertebral artery orifice stenosis: effects on cerebellar function remodeling verified by blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging

Vertebral artery orifice stenting may improve blood supply of the posterior circulation of the brain to regions such as the cerebellum and brainstem. However, previous studies have mainly focused on recovery of cerebral blood flow and perfusion in the posterior circulation after interventional therapy. This study examined the effects of functional recovery of local brain tissue on cerebellar function remodeling using blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic reso- nance imaging before and after interventional therapy. A total of 40 Chinese patients with severe unilateral vertebral artery orifice stenosis were enrolled in this study. Patients were equally and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The control group received drug treat- ment only. The intervention group received vertebral artery orifice angioplasty and stenting ＋ identical drug treatment to the control group. At 13 days after treatment, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score was compared between the intervention and control groups. Cerebellar function remodeling was observed between the two groups using blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging. The improvement in dizziness handicap and cerebellar function was more obvious in the intervention group than in the control group. Interventional therapy for severe vertebral artery orifice stenosis may effectively promote cerebellar function remodeling and exert neuroprotective effects.

Transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis

Aortic stenosis （AS） is the most common type of valvular heart disease in the elderly. Surgical aortic valve replacement （SAVR） has been the standard practice for treating severe, symptomatic AS, but recently new treatment options have emerged, Transcatheter aortic valve replacement （TAVR） is now an established treatment option in patients at high surgical risk. In this review, we focus on recent developments and compare the two treatment methods in specific populations in terms of efficacy and safety （e.g., in patients with history of prior thoracic surgery, type of anesthesia employed, access site used or need for permanent pacing）. The impact of comorbidities （pulmonary hypertension, arterial hypertension and obesity paradox）, the cost-effectiveness of TAVR vs. SAVR and advances in transcatheter valve technology as well as issues that merit further investigation are further discussed. Moreover, outcomes and complications of TAVR in patients of different risk category （extremely high, high, intermediate and low risk） are analyzed. We strongly believe that during the following years, TAVR may evolve as the treatment of choice in a broader group of patients with symptomatic AS and beyond those with intermediate and high-risk features.

A valve-in-valve approach to manage severe bioprosthetic tricuspid valve stenosis

severe symptomatic tricuspid stenosis often requires intervention.When the etiology is bioprosthetic valve failure,a challenging situation is met.Surgical valve replacement is the gold standard of treatment for severe tricuspid valve(TV)disease.[1]However,a redo sternotomy is rarely performed for isolated TV disease due to very high perioperative mortality.[2]Evolving percutaneous technology presents new frontiers in treatment,with the valveinvalve procedure emerging as an alternative.We present a case of a 65year woman with progressive symptoms due to failure of a bioprosthetic valve in the tricuspid position who was not a surgical candidate but underwent percutaneous intervention with significant clinical improvement.

Measuring frailty in patients with severe aortic stenosis:a comparison of the edmonton frail scale with modified fried frailty assessment in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Frailty is generally defined as a clinical syndrome of decreased physiologic reserve which drives to increased vulnerability and susceptibility to different stressors together with poor recovery to homeostasis.[1]The relevance of frailty status in a wide range of prospective cohorts is mostly related to an increasing burden in both mortality,hospital readmissions,disability,and falls.

Severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with Guillain-Barrésyndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Guillain-Barrésyndrome(GBS)is a rare disorder that typically presents with ascending weakness,pain,paraesthesias,and numbness,which mimic the findings in lumbar spinal stenosis.Here,we report a case of severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with GBS.CASE SUMMARY A 70-year-old man with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis presented to our emergency department with severe lower back pain and lower extremity numbness.Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of severe lumbar spinal stenosis.However,his symptoms did not improve postoperatively and he developed dysphagia and upper extremity numbness.An electromyogram was performed.Based on his symptoms,physical examination,and electromyogram,he was diagnosed with GBS.After 5 d of intravenous immunoglobulin(0.4 g/kg/d for 5 d)therapy,he gained 4/5 of strength in his upper and lower extremities and denied paraesthesias.He had regained 5/5 of strength in his extremities when he was discharged and had no symptoms during follow-up.CONCLUSION GBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal disorder,even though magnetic resonance imaging shows severe lumbar spinal stenosis.This case highlights the importance of a careful diagnosis when a patient has a history of a disease and comes to the hospital with the same or similar symptoms.

Relationship between syndrome elements and anterior communicating artery opening in patients with smptomatic severe carotid artery stenosis/occlusion

Objective To study the relationship between syndrome elements and anterior communicating artery(ACoA)opening in patients with symptomatic severe carotid artery stenosis/occlusion.Methods Thirty-six patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis/occlusion were collected,including 26 patients with cerebral infarction and 10 patients with transient ischemic attack(TIA).Syndrome elements at five time points were collected.Computer tomography angiography(CTA)combined with magenic resonance angiograp(MRA)was used to evaluate the primary collateral circulation,and the prognosis and syndrome elements were statistically analyzed according to whether the ACoA was open or not.Results The ACoA was open more in the primary collateral circulation among patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis/occlusion.There was a statistically significant difference in national institute of health stroke scale(NIHSS)score improvement and good prognosis[the modified rankin scale(mRS)≤2]between the ACoA open group and the ACoA nonopen group on the 90th day(P<0.05).The proportion of patients with internal wind syndrome,blood stasis syndrome,Qi deficiency syndrome,and Yin deficiency syndrome in the ACoA non-open group was higher than that in the open group.Conclusion In the patients with severe carotid artery stenosis/occlusion,the group with presence of anterior communicating artery had better prognosis.The syndrome elements are more complex in the group without the presence of anterior communicating artery.The proportion of Qi deficiency syndrome was positively correlated with the non-opening of anterior communicating artery.The imaging evaluation of collateral circulation can provide guidance for syndrome differentiation and treatment.

Association of bone turnover biomarkers with severe intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

BACKGROUND Intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis is associated with cerebral infarction.Vascular calcification and atherosclerosis are the main causes of stenosis and major risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Bone turnover biomarkers(BTMs)are associated with vascular calcification,atherosclerosis,glucose,and lipid metabolism.AIM To investigate the association of circulating BTM levels with severe intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis in patients with T2DM.METHODS For this cross-sectional study including 257 T2DM patients,levels of the BTMs serum osteocalcin(OC),C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen(CTX),and procollagen type I N-peptide were measured by electrical chemiluminescent immunoassay,and artery stenosis was assessed by color Doppler and transcranial Doppler.Patients were grouped according to the existence and location(intracranial vs.extracranial)of artery stenosis.Correlations between BTM levels,previous stroke,stenosis location,and glucose and lipid metabolism were analyzed.RESULTS T2DM patients with severe artery stenosis had a higher frequency of previous stroke and levels of all three tested BTMs(all P<0.05)than patients without.Some differences in OC and CTX levels were observed according to the location of artery stenosis.Significant associations were also observed between BTM levels and some glucose and lipid homeostasis parameters.On multivariate logistic regression analysis,all BTMs were significant predictors of artery stenosis in T2DM patients with and without adjustment for confounding factors(all P<0.001),and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated the ability of BTM levels to predict artery stenosis in T2DM patients.CONCLUSION BTM levels were found to be independent risk factors for severe intracranial and extracranial artery stenosis and were differentially associated with glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with T2DM.Therefore,BTMs may be promising biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for artery stenosis.

Endoscopic Management of Severe Supraglottic and Posterior Glottic Stenosis Due to Chemotherapy and Radiation

Combined posterior and supraglottic stenosis (CS) often presents as debilitating dysphonia or dyspnea, secondary to blunt trauma or traumatic intubation. However, CS has proven to be a late complication of chemoradiation therapy. Traditional treatment of combined posterior and supraglottic stenosis (CS) secondary to chemoradiation has been frequently complicated by poor tissue healing. This case study illustrates a novel endoscopic surgical technique employing a large laterally-based flap as a posterior glottic keel by rotating it anteroinferiorly and suturing it in place. As a result of the procedure, the bilateral vocal folds, which were midline and immobile preoperatively, regained normal motion. The supraglottic airway was also restored. Successful endoscopic treatment of CS with bilateral vocal fold immobility is possible using a large laterally-based flap, even in the face of tissue changes secondary to chemoradiation.