Chetan A. Patel

Prevalence and Predictors of Ischemia and Outcomes in Outpatient Diabetic Patients Referred for SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Background— The prevalence of ischemia and its prediction of events are unclear in outpatients with diabetes mellitus in the modern era of intensive medical management. We sought to identify the prevalence of ischemia, subsequent cardiac events, and impact of sex, stress type, and symptom status on these findings in a cohort of stable outpatients with diabetes mellitus referred for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Methods and Results— The study cohort included 575 consecutive outpatients with diabetes mellitus who underwent quantitative, gated single-photon emission computed tomography MPI. Clinical information, stress MPI variables, and cardiac events were prospectively collected and analyzed. The study population was at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease or had known coronary artery disease (40.3%); 29% of patients were asymptomatic at the time of stress testing. Scintigraphic ischemia and significant (≥10%) left ventricular ischemia were present in 126 patients (21.9%) and 29 patients (5.0%), respectively, and <1% of patients had early revascularization. The risk of ischemia was increased >2-fold by male sex (P<0.001), but was not impacted by pharmacological stress (P=0.15) or presence of symptoms (P=0.89). During a median 4.4 years follow-up, the rate of cardiac death/nonfatal myocardial infarction was moderate at 2.6%/y (cardiac death 0.8%/y) in the total cohort, but was 5.7%/y in those with ischemia (P<0.001). Pharmacological stress predicted a higher cardiac event rate (P<0.001) but symptoms did not (P=0.55). Conclusions— This cohort of stable outpatients with diabetes mellitus referred for single-photon emission computed tomography had low rates of significant ischemia and early revascularization; an initially low cardiac event rate increased after 2 years. Independent predictors of cardiac death/nonfatal myocardial infarction were known coronary artery disease, pharmacological stress, and MPI ischemia. Nearly one third of those with events had a normal MPI, indicating a need for improved risk stratification.Background The prevalence of ischemia and its prediction of events are unclear in outpatient diabetic patients in the modern era of intensive medical management. We sought to identify the prevalence of ischemia, subsequent cardiac events, and impact of gender, stress type, and symptom status on these findings in a cohort of outpatient, stable diabetic patients referred for SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).

Prevalence and Predictors of Ischemia and Outcomes in Outpatients With Diabetes Mellitus Referred for Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Background— The prevalence of ischemia and its prediction of events are unclear in outpatients with diabetes mellitus in the modern era of intensive medical management. We sought to identify the prevalence of ischemia, subsequent cardiac events, and impact of sex, stress type, and symptom status on these findings in a cohort of stable outpatients with diabetes mellitus referred for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Methods and Results— The study cohort included 575 consecutive outpatients with diabetes mellitus who underwent quantitative, gated single-photon emission computed tomography MPI. Clinical information, stress MPI variables, and cardiac events were prospectively collected and analyzed. The study population was at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease or had known coronary artery disease (40.3%); 29% of patients were asymptomatic at the time of stress testing. Scintigraphic ischemia and significant (≥10%) left ventricular ischemia were present in 126 patients (21.9%) and 29 patients (5.0%), respectively, and <1% of patients had early revascularization. The risk of ischemia was increased >2-fold by male sex (P<0.001), but was not impacted by pharmacological stress (P=0.15) or presence of symptoms (P=0.89). During a median 4.4 years follow-up, the rate of cardiac death/nonfatal myocardial infarction was moderate at 2.6%/y (cardiac death 0.8%/y) in the total cohort, but was 5.7%/y in those with ischemia (P<0.001). Pharmacological stress predicted a higher cardiac event rate (P<0.001) but symptoms did not (P=0.55). Conclusions— This cohort of stable outpatients with diabetes mellitus referred for single-photon emission computed tomography had low rates of significant ischemia and early revascularization; an initially low cardiac event rate increased after 2 years. Independent predictors of cardiac death/nonfatal myocardial infarction were known coronary artery disease, pharmacological stress, and MPI ischemia. Nearly one third of those with events had a normal MPI, indicating a need for improved risk stratification.Background The prevalence of ischemia and its prediction of events are unclear in outpatient diabetic patients in the modern era of intensive medical management. We sought to identify the prevalence of ischemia, subsequent cardiac events, and impact of gender, stress type, and symptom status on these findings in a cohort of outpatient, stable diabetic patients referred for SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).

Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure affects measurement of fractional flow reserve

BACKGROUND Fractional flow reserve (FFR), the hyperemic ratio of distal (Pd) to proximal (Pa) coronary pressure, is used to identify the need for coronary revascularization. Changes in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) might affect measurements of FFR. METHODS AND MATERIALS LVEDP was recorded simultaneously with Pd and Pa during conventional FFR measurement as well as during additional infusion of nitroprusside. The relationship between LVEDP, Pa, and FFR was assessed using linear mixed models. RESULTS Prospectively collected data for 528 cardiac cycles from 20 coronary arteries in 17 patients were analyzed. Baseline median Pa, Pd, FFR, and LVEDP were 73 mmHg, 49 mmHg, 0.69, and 18 mmHg, respectively. FFR<0.80 was present in 14 arteries (70%). With nitroprusside median Pa, Pd, FFR, and LVEDP were 61 mmHg, 42 mmHg, 0.68, and 12 mmHg, respectively. In a multivariable model for the entire population LVEDP was positively associated with FFR such that FFR increased by 0.008 for every 1-mmHg increase in LVEDP (beta=0.008; P<0.001), an association that was greater in obstructed arteries with FFR<0.80 (beta=0.01; P<0.001). Pa did not directly affect FFR in the multivariable model, but an interaction between LVEDP and Pa determined that LVEDPs effect on FFR is greater at lower Pa. CONCLUSIONS LVEDP was positively associated with FFR. The association was greater in obstructive disease (FFR<0.80) and at lower Pa. These findings have implications for the use of FFR to guide revascularization in patients with heart failure. SUMMARY FOR ANNOTATED TABLE OF CONTENTS The impact of left ventricular diastolic pressure on measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) is not well described. We present a hemodynamic study of the issue, concluding that increasing left ventricular diastolic pressure can increase measurements of FFR, particularly in patients with FFR<0.80 and lower blood pressure.

Alcohol septal ablation for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Outcomes in young, middle-aged, and elderly patients

We compared the efficacy and safety of alcohol septal ablation (ASA) for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in young, middle‐aged, and elderly patients.

Comparison of percutaneous coronary intervention safety before and during the establishment of a transradial program at a teaching hospital.

This study sought to examine the safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before and during de novo establishment of a transradial (TR) program at a teaching hospital. TR access remains underused in the United States, where cardiology fellowship programs continue to produce cardiologists with little TR experience. Establishment of TR programs at teaching hospitals may affect PCI safety. Starting in July 2009 a TR program was established at a teaching hospital. PCI-related data for academic years 2008 to 2009 (Y1) and 2009 to 2010 (Y2) were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Of 1,366 PCIs performed over 2 years, 0.1% in Y1 and 28.7% in Y2 were performed by TR access. No major complications were identified in 194 consecutive patients undergoing TR PCI, and combined bleeding and vascular complication rates were lower in Y2 versus Y1 (0.7% vs 2.0%, p = 0.05). Patients treated in Y2 versus Y1 and by TR versus transfemoral approach required slightly more fluoroscopy but similar contrast volumes and had similar procedural durations, lengths of stay, and predischarge mortality rates. PCI success rates were 97% in Y1, 97% in Y2, and 98% in TR cases. TR PCIs were performed by 13 cardiology fellows and 9 attending physicians, none of whom routinely performed TR PCI previously. In conclusion, de novo establishment of a TR program improved PCI safety at a teaching hospital. TR programs are likely to improve PCI safety at other teaching hospitals and should be established in all cardiology fellowship training programs.

Prevalence and Predictors of Ischemia and Outcomes in Outpatients With Diabetes Mellitus Referred for Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion ImagingClinical Perspective

Background— The prevalence of ischemia and its prediction of events are unclear in outpatients with diabetes mellitus in the modern era of intensive medical management. We sought to identify the prevalence of ischemia, subsequent cardiac events, and impact of sex, stress type, and symptom status on these findings in a cohort of stable outpatients with diabetes mellitus referred for single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Methods and Results— The study cohort included 575 consecutive outpatients with diabetes mellitus who underwent quantitative, gated single-photon emission computed tomography MPI. Clinical information, stress MPI variables, and cardiac events were prospectively collected and analyzed. The study population was at intermediate risk of coronary artery disease or had known coronary artery disease (40.3%); 29% of patients were asymptomatic at the time of stress testing. Scintigraphic ischemia and significant (≥10%) left ventricular ischemia were present in 126 patients (21.9%) and 29 patients (5.0%), respectively, and <1% of patients had early revascularization. The risk of ischemia was increased >2-fold by male sex (P<0.001), but was not impacted by pharmacological stress (P=0.15) or presence of symptoms (P=0.89). During a median 4.4 years follow-up, the rate of cardiac death/nonfatal myocardial infarction was moderate at 2.6%/y (cardiac death 0.8%/y) in the total cohort, but was 5.7%/y in those with ischemia (P<0.001). Pharmacological stress predicted a higher cardiac event rate (P<0.001) but symptoms did not (P=0.55). Conclusions— This cohort of stable outpatients with diabetes mellitus referred for single-photon emission computed tomography had low rates of significant ischemia and early revascularization; an initially low cardiac event rate increased after 2 years. Independent predictors of cardiac death/nonfatal myocardial infarction were known coronary artery disease, pharmacological stress, and MPI ischemia. Nearly one third of those with events had a normal MPI, indicating a need for improved risk stratification.Background The prevalence of ischemia and its prediction of events are unclear in outpatient diabetic patients in the modern era of intensive medical management. We sought to identify the prevalence of ischemia, subsequent cardiac events, and impact of gender, stress type, and symptom status on these findings in a cohort of outpatient, stable diabetic patients referred for SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI).