-
Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal 2024We present the case of a 60-year-old male, with active smoking and cocaine use disorder, who reported progressive chest pain. Various anatomical and functional cardiac...
We present the case of a 60-year-old male, with active smoking and cocaine use disorder, who reported progressive chest pain. Various anatomical and functional cardiac imaging, performed to further evaluate chest pain etiology, revealed changing severity and distribution of left main artery (LMA) stenosis, raising suspicion for vasospasm. Intracoronary nitroglycerin relieved the vasospasm, with resolution of the LMA pseudostenosis. A diagnosis of vasospastic angina (VA) led to starting appropriate medical therapy with lifestyle modification counselling. This case highlights VA, a frequently underdiagnosed etiology of angina pectoris. We discuss when to suspect VA, its appropriate work-up, and management.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Coronary Stenosis; Coronary Vasospasm; Nitroglycerin; Coronary Angiography; Treatment Outcome; Vasodilator Agents; Predictive Value of Tests; Cocaine-Related Disorders; Severity of Illness Index; Angina Pectoris; Diagnosis, Differential; Smoking
PubMed: 38799179
DOI: 10.14797/mdcvj.1365 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2024: Myocardial bridging (MB) is still not yet considered a significant finding in Indonesia both radiographically and clinically. Hence, this article aims to assess the...
: Myocardial bridging (MB) is still not yet considered a significant finding in Indonesia both radiographically and clinically. Hence, this article aims to assess the prevalence of MB using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and look at factors contributing to stenosis amongst patients with MB. This study is cross-sectional in a single centre, with consecutive sampling, looking at all patients who underwent a multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan from February 2021 until February 2023. GraphPad Prism version 9.0.0 for Windows (GraphPad Software, Boston, MA, USA) was used to analyse the results. : There are 1029 patients with an MB, yielding a prevalence of 44.3% (95%CI 42.3-46.4). The left anterior descending vessel is the most commonly implicated, with 99.6%. Among those with stenosis, the middle portion of the bridging vessel is the most common site of stenosis ( = 269), followed by the proximal portion ( = 237). The severity of stenosis is more often moderate, with 30-50% ( = 238). Females (odds ratio [OR] of 1.8, 95%CI 1.4-2.3; -value < 0.0001), older age (-value 5.6, -value < 0.0001), symptomatic patients (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.9; -value = 0.013), and higher mean coronary artery calcium score (-value 11.3, -value < 0.0001) are more likely to have stenosis. The degree of stenosis is significantly higher in the proximal stenosis group than in the middle stenosis group (-value 27, -value < 0.0001). : Our research demonstrates that MB may prevent atheromatosis of the coronary segment distal to the MB and predispose the development of atherosclerosis in the section proximal to the bridge.
Topics: Humans; Indonesia; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prevalence; Myocardial Bridging; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Adult; Aged; Coronary Stenosis
PubMed: 38792977
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050794 -
Cell & Bioscience May 2024The cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) signaling pathway, an important component of... (Review)
Review
The cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-adenosine monophosphate (AMP) synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) signaling pathway, an important component of the innate immune system, is involved in the development of several diseases. Ectopic DNA-induced inflammatory responses are involved in several pathological processes. Repeated damage to tissues and metabolic organelles releases a large number of damage-associated molecular patterns (mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA, and exogenous DNA). The DNA fragments released into the cytoplasm are sensed by the sensor cGAS to initiate immune responses through the bridging protein STING. Many recent studies have revealed a regulatory role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, atherosclerosis, and aortic dissection/aneurysm. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway can significantly inhibit myocardial hypertrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration. Therefore, this review is intended to identify risk factors for activating the cGAS-STING pathway to reduce risks and to simultaneously further elucidate the biological function of this pathway in the cardiovascular field, as well as its potential as a therapeutic target.
PubMed: 38720328
DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01242-4 -
BMC Medicine Apr 2024Little is known about the safety and efficacy of discontinuing antiplatelet therapy via LMWH bridging therapy in elderly patients with coronary stents implanted for > 12... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of perioperative low-molecular-weight heparin therapy on clinical events of elderly patients with prior coronary stents implanted > 12 months undergoing non-cardiac surgery: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the safety and efficacy of discontinuing antiplatelet therapy via LMWH bridging therapy in elderly patients with coronary stents implanted for > 12 months undergoing non-cardiac surgery. This randomized trial was designed to compare the clinical benefits and risks of antiplatelet drug discontinuation via LMWH bridging therapy.
METHODS
Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive subcutaneous injections of either dalteparin sodium or placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was cardiac or cerebrovascular events. The primary safety endpoint was major bleeding.
RESULTS
Among 2476 randomized patients, the variables (sex, age, body mass index, comorbidities, medications, and procedural characteristics) and percutaneous coronary intervention information were not significantly different between the bridging and non-bridging groups. During the follow-up period, the rate of the combined endpoint in the bridging group was significantly lower than in the non-bridging group (5.79% vs. 8.42%, p = 0.012). The incidence of myocardial injury in the bridging group was significantly lower than in the non-bridging group (3.14% vs. 5.19%, p = 0.011). Deep vein thrombosis occurred more frequently in the non-bridging group (1.21% vs. 0.4%, p = 0.024), and there was a trend toward a higher rate of pulmonary embolism (0.32% vs. 0.08%, p = 0.177). There was no significant difference between the groups in the rates of acute myocardial infarction (0.81% vs. 1.38%), cardiac death (0.24% vs. 0.41%), stroke (0.16% vs. 0.24%), or major bleeding (1.22% vs. 1.45%). Multivariable analysis showed that LMWH bridging, creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, preoperative hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of ischemic events. LMWH bridging and a preoperative platelet count of < 70 × 10/L were independent predictors of minor bleeding events.
CONCLUSIONS
This study showed the safety and efficacy of perioperative LMWH bridging therapy in elderly patients with coronary stents implanted > 12 months undergoing non-cardiac surgery. An alternative approach might be the use of bridging therapy with half-dose LMWH.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISRCTN65203415.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Stents; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Dalteparin; Treatment Outcome; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Hemorrhage; Placebos; Perioperative Care
PubMed: 38649992
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03391-2 -
Cureus Mar 2024Myocardial bridging is an under-recognized cause of angina. This congenital anomaly occurs when a segment of the epicardial coronary artery has a short intra-myocardial...
Myocardial bridging is an under-recognized cause of angina. This congenital anomaly occurs when a segment of the epicardial coronary artery has a short intra-myocardial course. A significant intra-myocardial course may lead to ischemia, causing anginal symptoms. In this case report, we discuss a rare presentation of myocardial bridging with symptoms of heart failure. The pathology led to a marked degree of ventricular dysfunction and a significant drop in cardiac output (CO), and the patient had severe exertional dyspnea and functional limitations. The ischemic workup with diagnostic imaging and angiograms failed to explain the severity of symptoms, which were only evident in hemodynamic studies and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
PubMed: 38638725
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.56462 -
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine May 2024
PubMed: 38584067
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2024.03.005 -
Cureus Feb 2024Typical takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a reversible form of myocardial injury that presents with a characteristic ballooning abnormality of the left ventricular apex....
Typical takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a reversible form of myocardial injury that presents with a characteristic ballooning abnormality of the left ventricular apex. Typical TCM has been associated with myocardial bridging; however, mid-ventricular variant TCM has not. We describe a rare case of mid-ventricular variant TCM with a coexisting left anterior descending artery myocardial bridge and discuss management strategies. Furthermore, we propose potential pathophysiological mechanisms that may contribute to the symptomatic presentation of both conditions as a manifestation of common etiological factors.
PubMed: 38533150
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54868 -
Cureus Feb 2024Transient left bundle branch block occurring during a nuclear stress test in the setting of myocardial bridging is a relatively rare finding. We report a case of a...
Transient left bundle branch block occurring during a nuclear stress test in the setting of myocardial bridging is a relatively rare finding. We report a case of a 75-year-old male who presented with typical stable angina. Serial troponins were negative, and the electrocardiogram revealed normal sinus rhythm with left ventricular hypertrophy and T-wave inversions in the lateral leads. The nuclear stress test was non-ischemic but showed a transient left bundle branch block associated with chest pain and shortness of breath that occurred right after the administration of regadenoson. Coronary angiography revealed non-obstructive coronary artery disease and a mid-LAD myocardial bridge.
PubMed: 38523980
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54654 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024We performed this cohort study to investigate whether the myocardial bridge (MB) affects the fat attenuation index (FAI) and to determine the optimal cardiac phase to...
We performed this cohort study to investigate whether the myocardial bridge (MB) affects the fat attenuation index (FAI) and to determine the optimal cardiac phase to measure the volume and the FAI of pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT). The data of 300 patients who were diagnosed with MB of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery were retrospectively analyzed. All of patients were divided into the MB group and the MB with atherosclerosis group. In addition, 104 patients with negative CCTA results were enrolled as the control group. There was no significant difference between FAI values measured in systole and diastole (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in FAI among the MB group, the MB with atherosclerosis group, and the control group (P > 0.05). In MB with atherosclerosis group, LAD stenosis degree (< 50%) (OR = 0.186, 95% CI 0.036-0.960; P = 0.045) and MB located in the distal part of LAD opening (OR = 0.880, 95% CI 0.789-0.980; P = 0.020) were protective factors of FAI value. A distance (from the LAD opening to the proximal point of the MB) of 29.85 mm had the highest predictive value for abnormal FAI [area under the curve (AUC), 0.798], with a sensitivity of 81.1% and a specificity of 74.6%.
Topics: Humans; Coronary Angiography; Cohort Studies; Retrospective Studies; Myocardial Bridging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Atherosclerosis; Coronary Vessels; Coronary Artery Disease; Adipose Tissue
PubMed: 38472256
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55005-9 -
Hellenic Journal of Cardiology : HJC =... Mar 2024
PubMed: 38453015
DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2024.03.007