Sex-related MINOCA and MIOCA differences. Several international guidelines recommend invasive treatment after diagnosing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The first studies that described acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without obstructive epicardial coronary disease reported a 10% incidence rate. Based on this significant prevalence, it was recommended that this diagnosis be classified as MINOCA for patients who…
Coronary Physiology after Aortic Valve Intervention
Impact of Aortic Valve Intervention on Coronary Flow Reserve Myocardial flow might be compromised in patients with severe aortic stenosis, which might be driven by CAD and concomitant atherosclerosis or a compromised capillary bed. Capillary circulation might be compromised by increased left ventricular mass (LVM) which in turn might alter coronary flow reserve (CFR). Multiple…
Rivaroxaban in Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) involve high mortality risk, especially ST elevation ACS. Their treatment is based on reperfusion, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and anticoagulation, with enoxaparin (1 mg/kg twice a day) as the preferred anticoagulant according to the contemporary guidelines. 2.5 mg or 5 mg doses of rivaroxaban might be valid alternative treatments for this…
We Should Treat Significant Stable CAD in Patients Undergoing TAVR
Aortic stenosis is associated to significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in nearly 50% of cases. When we decide to treat aortic disease using surgery, it has been established we should also treat heart disease. However, when using transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), this is still unclear, given that in many occasions we see stable lesions…
Trans-Stent Gradient as a Predictor of Adverse Events at Followup
Stenting a coronary lesion should not present a drop in pressure when measuring the treated segment with fractional flow reserve (FFR). FFR based trans-stent gradient should involve a segment of the sub-expanded vessel or instent obstruction as plaque prolapse or thrombus. The link between post-stenting physiology and long-term outcomes have been looked at in several…
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Are There Differences Between Men and Women?
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is one of the causes of acute coronary syndrome, with a prevalence between 1 and 4%, that might reach up to 35% in women <50 years old, according to recent studies. As dissections are more frequent in women, research focuses on this population. Small retrospective studies have shown different triggers and predisposing…
TCT 2022 | FAME-3 Trial: post PCI FFR And IVUS in Patients with Three-Vessel Disease
We are well aware of the benefits of Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) to assess coronary artery stenosis. FFR after PCI (post-PCI FFR) has been shown to have prognostic value; however, few studies have included patients with complex three-vessel disease. The impact of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or optical computer tomography (OCT) in this field has been…
Gender Differences and 10-Year Prognosis in STEMI
Coronary artery disease in women usually develops 10 years later than in men, and some evidence suggests women have higher mortality, especially when it comes to ST elevation MI (STEMI). Registries have shown higher mortality both in hospital and at one year follow up. In part, this difference is observed because of the gap in…
Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: MRS or PCI? 10-Year Mortality of the SYNTAX Study
Percutaneous treatment of coronary lesions affecting bifurcations has increased in recent decades. Coronary angioplasty (percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI) in these cases is associated with an increased rate of adverse events in patients with multivessel disease and left main coronary artery lesions. The SYNTAX score, which is a predictor of total mortality, is used to evaluate…
Prognostic Value of Structural and Functional Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients with Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a paramount factor involved in the development of anginal syndromes. Among patients with angina and nonobstructive coronary artery disease with CMD, two patterns have been identified using minimal microvascular resistance: structural CMD, and functional CMD. Structural CMD is characterized by decreased coronary flow reserve (CFR) in the presence of increased…