Interaction between the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular strain and its relationship with coronary stenosis

BACKGROUND Coronary artery stenosis(CAS)is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in both men and women globally.CAS occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle harden and become narrower due to plaque buildup-cholesterol and other material-on their inner walls.As a result,the heart muscle cannot receive the blood or oxygen it needs.Most heart attacks happen when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the hearts'blood supply,causing permanent heart damage.AIM To analyze the relationship between the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular strain(LVS),and coronary stenosis.METHODS A total of 190 participants were enrolled in this trail.The control group comprised 93 healthy individuals,and observation group comprised 97 patients with coronary heart disease who were hospitalized between July 2020 and September 2021.Coronary lesions were assessed using the Gensini score,and the LVEF and LVS were measured using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).The interaction between the LVEF and LVS was examined using a linear regression model.The relationship between LVEF and coronary stenosis was examined using Spearman’s correlation.RESULTS The LVEF of the observation group was lower than that of the control group.The left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV)and left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).The longitudinal and circumferential strains(LS,CS)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group;however,the radial strain(RS)of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).LVS,LS,and CS were significantly negatively correlated with the LVEF,and RS was positively correlated with the LVEF.There were significant differences in the LVEF,LVESV,and LVEDV of patients with different Gensini scores;the LVEF significantly decreased and the LVESV and LVEDV increased with increasing Gensini scores(P<0.05).In the observation group,the LVEF was negatively correlated and the LVESV and LVEDV were positively correlated with coronary stenosis(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The LVEF measured using MRI is significantly linearly correlated with LVS and negatively correlated with coronary stenosis.

Relationship Between Serum Creatine Kinase Isoenzyme MM Subbands and the Gradation of Coronary Stenosis in Patients with Unstable Angina Pectoris

Objective To observe the relationship between serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MM sub-bands (CKMM3/MM1 ratio) and the gradation of coronary stenosis and provide a simple, reliable, and economical method for identifying high-risk unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Mehtods Blood samples were drawn at different time after onset of chest pain in 21 patients with UAP and only once in 20 each volunteers for control. CKMM3/MM1 ratio was detected by nonserial buffer agarose gel electrophoresis. CKMB and CK were observed by velocity method. An emergent coronary arteriography was performed as soon as patients were admitted into hospital. Results Patients with UAP were divided into two subgroups: patients with elevated serum enzyme [P( + )] and patients with normal serum enzyme [P( - ) ] according to CKMM3/MM1 ratio < 0. 5. Patients with UAP( + ) had higher serum CKMM3/MM1 ratios from 0.5 to 12hrs and serum CKMB from 2 to 12 hrs than those with UAP( - ) and control ( P < 0. 05) . Serum enzyme concentrations of patients with UAP whose coronary lumen had 90% or more than 90% stenosis were significantly higher than those whose coronary lumen had less than 90% stenosis ( P <0. 01) . Any CK-MM3/MM1 ratio was less than 1. 0 and CK within the normal range in patients with UAP( + ) group. Conclusions CKMM3/MM1 ratios in patients with UAP can reflect severity of myocardial ischemia. SerumCKMM3/MM1 ratio provides a simple, reliable, and economical method for identifying high-risk UAP.

0D-1D coupling model and 3D fluid-structure interaction model based on coronary CT angiography for displaying hemodynamic characteristics of coronary artery stenosis

Objective To observe value of 0D-1D coupling model and 3D fluid-structure interaction(FSI)model based on coronary CT angiography(CCTA)for displaying hemodynamic characteristics of coronary artery stenosis.Methods Based on CCTA data of the stenosed left anterior descending branch(LAD)in a patient with coronary heart disease,an 0D-1D coupling model and 3D FSI model were built,respectively.Then hemodynamic characteristic indexes,including the pressure,flow velocity and wall shear stress(WSS)were obtained in every 0.01 s during 1 s at 5 sampling points(i.e.sampling point 1—5)using these 2 models,respectively,and the consistencies of the results between models were evaluated with Spearman correlation coefficient r s.Results The time consuming for construction of 0D-1D coupling model and 3D FSI model was 0.033 min and 704 min,respectively.Both models showed basically distribution of the pressure,flow velocity and WSS of the stenosed LAD.For more details,the pressure at the stenosed segment of LAD and the proximal segment of stenosis were both higher,which gradually decreased at the distal segment of stenosis,and the flow velocity at the proximal segment of stenosis was in a relatively slow and uniform condition,with significantly increased flow velocity and WSS at the stenosed segment.Compared with 3D FSI model,0D-1D vascular coupling model was relatively unrefined and lack of distal flow lines when displaying blood flow velocity.For sampling point 2 at the stenosed segment of LAD,no significant consistency for pressure between 2 models was found(P=0.118),but strong consistency for the flow velocity and WSS(r s=0.730,0.807,both P<0.05).The consistencies of pressure,flow velocity and WSS between 2 models at the proximal and distal segment of stenosis,i.e.1,3—5 sampling points were week to moderate(r s=0.237—0.669,all P<0.05).Conclusion 0D-1D coupling model exhibited outstanding computational efficiency and might provide relatively reasonable results,while 3D FSI model showed higher accuracy for details and streamline when simulating LAD stenosis.

Imaging Effect and Accuracy Analysis of 64-Slice Spiral CT in the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Stenosis

Objective:To analyze the imaging effect and accuracy of 64-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis.Methods:30 patients with suspected coronary heart disease admitted to our hospital from March 2022 to March 2023 were selected.All patients underwent both 64-slice spiral CT and digital subtraction angiography(DSA).DSA is considered the gold standard for diagnosis,so it was used to analyze the diagnostic performance of 64-slice spiral CT.Results:(1)The diagnostic results of digital subtraction angiography and 64-slice spiral CT was analyzed and compared with each other.The 64-slice spiral CT had an accuracy of 96.67%(29/30),a sensitivity 96.55%(28/29),and a specificity of 100.00%(1/1)in diagnosing coronary artery stenosis.(2)There was no significant difference between 64-slice spiral CT and digital subtraction angiography in the positive detection rate of anterior descending artery lesion,the positive detection rate of left main lesion,the positive detection rate of left circumflex artery lesion and the positive detection rate of right coronary artery lesion(P>0.05).(3)There was no significant difference between 64-slice spiral CT examination and DSA examination in identifying mild stenosis,moderate stenosis,and severe stenosis of coronary arteries(P>0.05).Conclusion:64-slice spiral CT examination can accurately determine the degree of occlusion of coronary arteries,which allows for the accurate diagnosis of coronary artery stenosis.

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and diastolic function measurements by adenosine stress echocardiography in prediction of coronary stenosis in patients

Background Stress echocardiography is mainly used in detection of coronary artery disease （CAD） and to assess risk.This study aimed to use adenosine stress echocardiography （ASE） and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） to noninvasively assess coronary stenosis in patients with chest pain syndromes or anginal equivalent.Methods NT-proBNP was measured after overnight fast in fifty patients, 42 males and 8 females, who were （57＋11）years old. They then underwent echocardiography before and during adenosine administration. Left ventricular （LV）diastolic function analyzed included mitral annular early （E＇） and late velocity （A＇） both at the mitral septal and lateral level and the mitral inflow to annulus ratio （E/E＇）. Coronary angiography was performed the following day after which patients were assigned to three groups： normal results （16 patients）, stenosis 50%-69%（17 patients） and stenosis≥70% （17 patients）.Results NT-proBNP levels in the groups of stenosis 50%-69% and≥ 70% were significantly higher than that in the group with normal results （P=0.014 and P=0.040）. During adenosine stress, the E/E＇ in the group of stenosis≥70% was higher than in the group of normal results （P=0.024）. E＇lateral/A＇lateral in the group of stenosis 50%-69% and E＇septal/A＇septal and E＇lateral/A＇lateral in the group of stenosis≥70% were also decreased during stress compared with baseline （P=0.003,P=0.001, P=0.022）. The variation of E＇septal/A＇septal before and during adenosine stress （△E＇septal/A＇septal） between the groups of normal results and stenosis ≥70% were significantly different （P=0.001）. By receiver operating characteristic （ROC）, the specificity of △E＇septal/A＇septal ≥0.037 predicting coronary stenosis ＜70% was 94%. The sensitivity and specificity of NT-proBNP≥544.6 fmol/ml in predicting coronary stenosis ≥70% were 93% and 75%, respectively.NT-proBNP inversely correlated with E＇lateral/A＇lateral （r=-0.390, P=0.014） and positively correlated with E/E＇lateral（r=0.550,P=0.001）.Conclusions Adenosine might induce diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary stenosis more than 70% and NT-proBNP could reflect LV diastolic function to a certain extent. We support the prediction that most patients having chest pain syndromes or anginal equivalent with NT-proBNP＜544.6 fmol/ml and in ASE AE＇septal/A＇septal≥0.037 might be spared coronary angiography.

Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease by Acoustic Analysis of Turbulent Murmur Caused by Coronary Artery Stenosis:A Single Center Study from China

Aim:Intracoronary murmur results from turbulent flow due to coronary artery narrowing.This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of a method for acoustic analysis of turbulent murmur caused by coronary artery stenosis in coronary artery disease(CAD)in Chinese populations.Method:Patients admitted to the cardiovascular department of the Sixth Medical Center of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital between September 2021 and June 2022 for elective coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled.A digital electronic stethoscope was used to record heart sounds before angiography.Quantitative coronary angiography(QCA)served as the“gold standard”for CAD diagnosis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the acoustic analysis method for CAD.Results:A total of 452 patients had complete QCA and heart sound data.The final interpretation results of the acoustic analysis method indicated 310 disease cases and 142 normal results.Increasing the cut-off values of coronary artery diameter stenosis from 30%to 50%,70%,and 90%increased the sensitivity and NPV of the acoustic analysis method;the sensitivity was 75.6%,81.9%,83.3%,and 85.7%,respectively;the NPV was 33.1%,57.0%,69.7%,and 88.0%,respectively;the specificity and PPV decreased(specificity of 75.8%,70.4%,51.0%,and 37.5%,respectively;PPV of 95.2%,89.0%,69.4%,and 32.9%,respectively);and the AUC values were 0.757,0.762,0.672,and 0.616,respectively.The sensitivity of the acoustic analysis method for one-vessel disease was 86.6%when the cut-off value was 50%.The sensitivity for identifying left anterior descending coronary artery lesions was best,at 90.7%.The sensitivity for identifying isolated coronary artery branch lesions was 66.7%,whereas the sensitivity for identifying three-vessel disease in multi-vessel coronary artery lesions was better,at 82.9%.Conclusion:Acoustic analysis of turbulent murmur caused by coronary artery stenosis for diagnosis of CAD may have favorable performance in the Chinese population.This method has good performance in CAD diagnosis with a cut-off coronary artery diameter for stenosis of 50%.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide but not high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is related to severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Objective Biochemical indicators such as N-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide（NT pro-BNP）and high-sensitivity Creactive protein（hsCRP）predict mortality in acute coronary syndrome（ACS）.However,little is known about the relationship of these factors with severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with.Methods Three hundred and thirty-one subjects including 246 unstable angina pectoris patients and 85 myocardial infarction patients were recruited and classified into two groups：single-vessel disease group（1-vessel disease,n=93）and multiple-vessel disease group（≥2-vessels disease,n=238）according to selective coronary angiography.Plasma levels of NT pro-BNP and hsCRP were measured and severity of coronary stenosis was determined by Gensini score.Results NT pro-BNP but not hsCRP level was higher in patients with myocardial infarction than in patients with unstable angina pectoris.The patients with multiple-vessel disease had significantly higher NT pro-BNP level but not hsCRP compared with those with single-vessel disease.NT pro-BNP levels increased significantly as left ventricle（LV）function decreased,and only NT proBNP but not hsCRP level was related to Gensini score of severity of coronary stenosis in ACS.Conclusion NT proBNP but not hsCRP level is related to severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients in ACS.

Deferred revascularization in diabetic patient according to combined invasive functional and intravascular imaging data:A case report

BACKGROUND Invasive functional evaluation by fractional flow reserve(FFR)is considered as a gold standard for the evaluation of intermediate coronary stenosis.However,in patients with diabetes due to accelerated progression of atherosclerosis the outcome may be worse even in the presence of negative functional testing.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of 55-year-old male diabetic patient who was admitted for chest pain.Diagnostic coronary angiography disclosed 2 intermediate stenoses of the obtuse marginal branch with no evidence of restenosis on previously implanted stent.Patient undergone invasive functional testing of intermediate lesion with preserved FFR(0.88),low coronary flow reserve(1.2)and very high index of microvascular resistance(84).Due to discrepancy in invasive functional parameters,intravascular imaging with optical coherence tomography showed fibrotic stenoses without signs of thin-sup fibroatheroma.Because of the preserved FFR and no signs of vulnerable plaque,the interventional procedure was deferred and the patient continued with optimal medications.CONCLUSION Combined functional and anatomic imaging of intermediate coronary stenosis in diabetic patients represent comprehensive contemporary decision pathway in the management of the patients.

Association between coronary artery stenosis and myocardial injury in patients with acute pulmonary embolism:A case-control study

Background:The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis(CAS)on acute pulmonary embolism(PE)episodes remains underexplored.This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and the elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I(hs-cTnI)levels in patients with PE.Methods:In this multicenter,prospective case-control study,88 cases and 163 controls matched for age,sex,and study center were enrolled.Cases were patients with PE with elevated hs-cTnI.Controls were patients with PE with normal hs-cTnI.Coronary artery assessment utilized coronary computed tomographic angiography or invasive coronary angiography.CAS was defined as≥50%stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel>2.0 mm in diameter.Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between CAS and hs-cTnI elevation.Results:The percentage of CAS was higher in the case group compared to the control group(44.3%[39/88]vs.30.1%[49/163];P=0.024).In multivariable conditional logistic regression model 1,CAS(adjusted odds ratio[OR],2.680;95%confidence interval[CI],1.243-5.779),heart rate>75 beats/min(OR,2.306;95%CI,1.056-5.036)and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)>420 pg/mL(OR,12.169;95%CI,4.792-30.900)were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI.In model 2,right CAS(OR,3.615;95%CI,1.467-8.909)and NT-proBNP>420 pg/mL(OR,13.890;95%CI,5.288-36.484)were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI.Conclusions:CAS was independently associated with myocardial injury in patients with PE.Vigilance towards CAS is warranted in patients with PE with elevated cardiac troponin levels.

Patients ≥ 75 years with acute coronary syndrome but without critical epicardial coronary disease： prevalence, characteristics, and outcome

Objective Absence of significant epicardial coronary artery disease （CAD） in patients with acute onset of chest pain and elevation of myocardial necrosis markers is occasionally observed. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical characteristics and outcome of such patients with advanced age. Methods We retrospectively analysed 4,311 patients with acute onset of chest pain plus necrosis marker elevation. Two hundred and seventy two patients without CAD on angiogram （6.3%） were identified. Out of them, 50 （1.2%） patients 〉 75 years （Group Ⅰ） were compared with （1） 222 acute coronary syndrome （ACS） patients without CAD on angiogram 〈 75 years （Group Ⅱ）, and （2） 610 consecutive patients ≥ 75 years with Non-ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction （NSTEMI） undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention （Group Ⅲ）. Results Group 1 compared to Group III patients made up for more females （64.0% vs. 49.2%; P 〈 0.0001）, and had more severe anginal symptoms on presentation [Canadian Cardiovascular Society （CCS） class Ⅰ/Ⅱ, 26.0% vs. 49.8%; P = 0.02]. Group I patients also had lower troponin levels （0.62 ± 0.8 ng/mL vs. 27 ± 74 ng/mL; P 〈 0.02）, lower leukocyte count （9.4 ± 3.13 × 10^9 vs. 12 ± 5.1 × 10^9; P = 0.001 ） and better preserved left ventricular function （56.7% ± 14.3 % vs. 45% ± 1 1%; P 〈 0.0001 ）. Event-free survival （cardiac death, myocardial infarction, recurrent angina, and re-hospitalisation） was more frequent in Group Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients compared to Group III patients （64.9%, 66.7%, and 41.6%, respectively; P 〈 0.0001）. Conclusions ACS in patients 〉 75 years without CAD is very infrequent, associated with a （1） similar outcome compared to ACS patients 〈 75 years without CAD, and （2） significant better outcome compared to NSTEMI patients 〉 75 years.

Coronary artery disease in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus estimated by electron beam computed tomography and electron beam computed tomography angiography

Objective To assess the prevalence and risk of coronary artery disease(CAD)in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)using electron beam computed tomography(EBCT)and EBCT angiography(EBCTA).Methods:Ninety-four cases were enrolled in this study including diabetes(n=28),impaired glucose tolerance(IGT,n=30),coronary heart disease(CHD,n=11),and control(n=25).Cardiac EBCT plain scanning and EBCTA were performed on all of these subjects to evaluate coronary artery calcifica-tion(CAC)scores,and number of segments of stenosed coronary arteries.Both CAC and/or coronary artery stenosis were defined as patients with coronary artery lesions(CAL).Results CAC scores were not different with the control,diabetes,IGT,or CHD(P>0.05)groups.Compared to control(0.520±1.295),more stenosed coronary arteries segments(P<0.05)were detected in diabetes(2.964±1.915),IGT(2.200±2.024),and CHD(2.273±1.679).Number of stenosed artery segments were correlated with age(r=0.215,P=0.019),postprandial glucose(r=0.224,P=0.015),total cholesterol(r=0.323,P=0.000),and duration of diabetes(r=0.208,P=0.004).The incidences of CAL in diabetes(96.43%),IGT(93.33%),and CHD(90.91%)was substantially higher than that in normal control(56.00%,P<0.01).The odds ratio of CAL associated with having diabetes was estimated to be 7.514(95%CI:1.885-63.778).Conclusions Coronary artery lesions are prevalent in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes,implying a high CAD risk.EBCTA holds potential in depicting the details of CAL and can be used to track the progression of CAD in diabetes patients.

Plasma levels of Elabela are associated with coronary angiographic severity in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background Elabela(ELA) was newly discovered as a novel endogenous ligand of the apelin receptor(APJ) which has demonstrated to be crucial for cardiovascular disease such as myocardial infarction, hypertension and heart failure. Previous experiments have revealed that ELA reduced arterial pressure and exerted positive inotropic effects on the heart. However, the role of plasma ELA levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS) and its relationship with severity of coronary arteries have not been investigated. Methods Two hundred and one subjects who were hospitalized for chest pain and underwent coronary angiography were recruited in this study. One hundred and seventy five patients were diagnosed with ACS and twenty-six subjects with negative coronary angiography were included in the control group. Plasma ELA levels, routine blood test, blood lipid, liver and kidney functions were measured. The number of coronary arteries and SYNTAX(Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score of coronary lesions were used to evaluate the extent of coronary artery stenosis. Results ELA in patients with ACS was significantly higher than that in the control group(P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in plasma ELA levels among patients with single-, double-and triple-vessel diseases. However, in the generalized additive model(GAM), there was a threshold nonlinear correlation between the ELA levels and Syntax I score(P < 0.001). Plasma ELA levels were positively correlated with the Syntax I score when the ELA levels ranged from 63.47 to 85.49 ng/m L. There was no significant association between the plasma ELA levels and the extent of coronary artery stenosis when the ELA levels were less than 63.47 ng/m L or higher than 85.49 ng/m L. Conclusion The present study demonstrates for the first time that plasma ELA levels are increased in patients with ACS. The rise in endogenous ELA levels was associated with severity of coronary stenosis and may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACS.

Is there evidence for statins in the treatment of aortic valve stenosis?

Research revealed that the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis(AS) not merely comprises of a mechanical wear and tear process yet that active biological processes, similar to those of coronary artery disease are involved, a promising role for statins in disease-modifying therapy was suggested. However, recently, many prospective studies could not observe decreased progression nor regression of the disease. Here, we review the current knowledge on the pathomechanisms of AS and its similarities and differences with atherosclerosis. Moreover, we discuss whether there is still a place for statins in the treatment of particular AS patient subgroups.

Clinical applications of fractional flow reserve in bifurcation lesions

Pereutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） for coronary bifurcation lesions has been associated with lower procedural success rates and worse clinical outcomes compared with PCI for simple coronary lesions. Angiographic evaluation alone is sometimes inaccurate and does not reflect the fimctional significance of bifurcation lesions. The fractional flow reserve （FFR） is an easily obtainable, reliable, and reproducible physiologic parameter. This parameter is epicardial lesion specific and reflects both degree of stenosis and the myocardial territory supplied by the specific artery. Recent studies have shown that FFR-guided provisional side branch intervention strategy for bifurcation lesions is feasible and effective and can reduce unnecessary complex interventions and related complications. However, an adequate understanding of coronary physiology and the pitfalls of FFR is essential to properly use FFR for PCI of complex bifurcation lesions.

Prognostic Value of Gai＇s Plaque Score and Agatston Coronary Artery Calcium Score for Functionally Significant Coronary Artery Stenosis

Background： The prognostic valtles of the coronary computed tornography angiography （CCTA） score for predicting future cardiovascular events have been previously demonstrated in numerous studies. However, few studies have used the rich information available from CCTA to detect functionally significant coronary lesions. We sought to compare the prognostic values of Gai＇s plaque score and the coronary artery calcium score tCACS） of CCTA for predicting functionally significant coronary lesions, using fractional flow reserve （FFR） as the gold standard. Methods： We retrospectively analyzed 107 visually assessed significant coronary lesions in 88 patients （mean age, 59.6 ± 10.2 years： 76.14% of males） wino underwent CCTA, invasive coronary angiography, and invasive FFR nneasurement. An FFR 〈0.80 indicated hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis. Lesions were divided into two groups using an FFR cutoffvalue of 0.80. We compared Gai＇s plaque scores and CACS between the two groups and evaluated the correlations of these scores with FFR. The statistical methods included unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Spearman＇s correlation coefficients. Results： Coronary lesions with FFR 〈0.80 lind Inigtner Gai＇s scores than those with FFR 〉0.80. Gai＇s score had the strongest correlation with FFR （r= 0.48, P 〈 0.01 ） and lind a greater area under tlne curve 0.72 （95% confidence interval： 0.61 0.82： P 〈 0.01 ） than the CACS of whole arteries and a single artery. Conelusions： Botin CACS in a single artery and Gai＇s plaque score demonstrated a good capacity to assess functionally significant coronary artery stenosis when compared to the gold standard FFR. However, Gai＇s plaque score was more predictive of FFR 〈0.80. Gai＇s score cain be easily calculated in daily clinical practice and could be used when considering revascularization.

Left atrial appendage aneurysm: A case report

BACKGROUND An aneurysm of the left atrial appendage is one of the rare but potentially hazardous heart defects.The risk of lethal complications grows with its size.To date,about 150 cases of this defect have been described in the literature.We present a case of left atrial appendage aneurysm with the deformation of the mitral valve and the left main coronary and circumflex artery,which required mitral valve annuloplasty and bifurcation stenting.CASE SUMMARY A 58-year-old man presented to our hospital complaining of shortness of breath,general weakness,dizziness during physical exertion,and fatigue.Based on the results of echocardiography,an aneurysm of the left atrium was suspected.A free-breathing real-time cine magnetic resonance imaging with electrocardiograph synchronization confirmed the diagnosis of left atrial appendage aneurysm.The patient underwent an aneurysmectomy via a median sternotomy with cardiopulmonary bypass.Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography revealed relative mitral insufficiency that was corrected with an annuloplasty ring.Intraoperative coronary angiogram showed impaired blood flow in the left main coronary and circumflex artery and 60%stenosis.For this reason,bifurcation stenting was performed.The patient had an uneventful postoperative clinical course and was discharged from the hospital on the 10th day in a satisfactory condition.CONCLUSION Left atrial appendage aneurysm is a rare and dangerous heart pathology that requires surgery to prevent related complications.

Oxidized phospholipids and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A_2 as important determinants of Lp(a) functionality and pathophysiological role

Lipoprotein（a） [Lp（a）] is composed of a low density lipoprotein（LDL）-like particle to which apolipoprotein（a）[apo（a）] is linked by a single disulfide bridge. Lp（a） is considered a causal risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease（CVD） and calcific aortic valve stenosis（CAVS）. The evidence for a causal role of Lp（a） in CVD and CAVS is based on data from large epidemiological databases, mendelian randomization studies, and genome-wide association studies. Despite the well-established role of Lp（a） as a causal risk factor for CVD and CAVS, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. A key role in the Lp（a） functionality may be played by its oxidized phospholipids（OxPL） content. Importantly, most of circulating OxPL are associated with Lp（a）; however, the underlying mechanisms leading to this preferential sequestration of OxPL on Lp（a） over the other lipoproteins,are mostly unknown. Several studies support the hypothesis that the risk of Lp（a） is primarily driven by its OxPL content.An important role in Lp（a） functionality may be played by the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A_2（Lp-PLA_2）,an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of OxPL and is bound to plasma lipoproteins including Lp（a）. The present review article discusses new data on the pathophysiological role of Lp（a） and particularly focuses on the functional role of OxPL and Lp-PLA_2 associated with Lp（a）.

Predictors of inaccurate coronary arterial stenosis assessment by CT angiography

ABSTRACT Objectives This study sought to investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics associated with diagnostic inaccuracy of computed tomography angiography （CTA） for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease （CAD） defined by quantitative coronary angiography （QCA）.

Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Chinese Patients with Angina Diagnosed by Coronary Angiography:A Retrospective Study

Objective:This study aimed to estimate the proportion of non-obstructive coronary artery disease(CAD)patients in large percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)centers in China.Methods:The study was conducted at 6 large PCI centers in China from January 1,2013 to December 31,2015.Demographic and clinical data were collected from medical records,prescription records,and laboratory reports of patients with symptoms of angina who underwent coronary angiography(CAG).Results:A total of 1713 patients were consecutively screened,1600 of whom were included in the study.CAG showed that 300 patients had non-obstructive CAD while 1300 had obstructive CAD.Among the 300 patients with non-obstructive CAD,203 displayed mild coronary stenosis(20%-49%)and 91 had normal coronary status(ie,<20%stenosis).Of the 1300 patients with obstructive CAD,61.6%(801/1300)had typical symptoms of angina,compared with 49.3%(148/300)for patients with nonobstructive CAD.In addition,there were more women than men in the non-obstructive CAD group,whereas the reverse was observed among obstructive CAD patients.Conclusion:The prevalence of non-obstructive CAD in the Chinese population with coronary heart disease was estimated to be approximately 20%.Additionally,typical angina symptoms were correlated with obstructive CAD,whereas female gender was identified as a risk factor for non-obstructive CAD.

Optimal morphometric and functional assessment of intermediate coronary lesions

Coronary lesions of intermediate severity, defined as 50%-70% luminal diameter narrowing by visualestimation at angiography, are frequently encountered in patients with stable or unstable coronary artery disease. Clinical decision making for patients with intermediate coronary stenosis is still challenging, but may be facilitated by assessing the morphology and physiological significance of these lesions.1 It is clear that angiographic stenosis is a highly unreliable surrogate for myocardial ischemia, as a significant proportion of anatomically high-grade lesions do not cause ischemia. Conversely, even for anatomically mild coronary lesions, a non-negligible rate of myocardial ischemia is consistently noted. Because the physiological significance of a lesion is mainly determined by both the severity of a stenosis and the amount of myocardium supplied, coronary angiography alone does not accurately predict the functional significance of intermediate coronary lesions.2,3