Background Peripheral artery disease (PAD) may be a useful tool to predict coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. If proven that PAD can be a good predictor of CAD, it can help in early and cost-effective diagnosis of CAD. Methodology This observational study was conducted from January 2020 to February 2021 in the cardiology unit of a tertiary care hospital. Participants older than 40 years, with a history of uncontrolled hypertension and unstable angina, who warranted the need of angiography were enrolled in study. After enrollment and recording history, these cases were assessed for the presence of PAD based on ankle brachial index (ABI). ABI values less than 0.9 were labelled as participants with PAD. Then these cases underwent coronary angiography at the same institute, and the presence of greater than 50% stenosis of any coronary vessel on angiography was taken as positive CAD. Results In this study, PAD was identified in 152 (62.8%) participants. A total of 165 (68.1%) participants had greater than 50% stenosis on angiography. Out of 152 participants with ABI less than 0.9, 140 had greater than 50% stenosis on angiography. In total, 90 participants had ABI more than 0.9, of which 35 participants had greater than 50% stenosis. Sensitivity of PAD in predicting coronary artery stenosis was 80.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 73.30%-85.66%), specificity was 82.09% (95% CI: 70.80%-90.39%), and accuracy was 80.58% (95% CI: 75.02%-85.37%). Conclusions Our study demonstrated that the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PAD in predicting coronary artery stenosis were significant. Hence, we conclude that PAD can be an excellent predictor of CAD by helping in early and cost-effective diagnosis of CAD.

To prospectively determine the best cut-off value of stenosis degree for low-dose computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) to predict the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenoses compared to catheter angiography (CA) using a cardiac magnetic resonance based approach as standard of reference.

Coronary artery stenosis induces heart diseases including acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Some studies reported the ceramide species are associated with the ACS and major adverse cardia and cerebrovascular events (MACE). However, few studies investigated the association between plasma ceramide levels and the severity of stenosis, together with the onset of diseases. This aim of the present study was to investigate the association betweencertain ceramide species, coronary artery stenosis and acute coronary syndrome.

The aim of the present investigation was to explore probable association of renal artery stenosis (RAS) with coronary artery disease (CAD) and the prevalence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in patients with CAD.

Nowadays, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has a role of paramount importance in the diagnostic algorithm of ischemic heart disease (IHD), both in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute chest pain. Alongside the quantification of obstructive coronary artery disease, the recent technologic developments in CCTA provide additional relevant information that can be considered as "novel markers" for risk stratification in different settings, including ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and myocardial inflammation. These markers include: (i) epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), associated with plaque development and the occurrence of arrhythmias; (ii) late iodine enhancement (LIE), which allows the identification of myocardial fibrosis; and (iii) plaque characterization, which provides data about plaque vulnerability. In the precision medicine era, these emerging markers should be integrated into CCTA evaluation to allow for the bespoke interventional and pharmacological management of each patient.

Clinical evidence indicates that innate immune cells may contribute to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Our prospective study aimed at investigating the association of neutrophil phenotypes with ACS. 108 patients were categorized into chronic stable coronary artery disease (n = 37), unstable angina (UA) (n = 19), Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) (n = 25), and ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) (n = 27). At the time of inclusion, blood neutrophil subpopulations were analysed by flow cytometry. Differential blood cell count and plasma levels of neutrophilic soluble markers were recorded at admission and, for half of patients, at six-month follow-up. STEMI and NSTEMI patients displayed higher neutrophil count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio than stable and UA patients (p < 0.0001), which normalized at six-month post-MI. Atypical low-density neutrophils were detected in the blood of the four patient groups. STEMI patients were characterized by elevated percentages of band cells compared to the other patients (p = 0.019). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that plasma levels of total myeloperoxidase was associated with STEMI compared to stable (OR: 1.434; 95% CI: 1.119-1.837; P < 0.0001), UA (1.47; 1.146-1.886; p = 0.002), and NSTEMI (1.213; 1.1-1.134; p = 0.0001) patients, while increased neutrophil side scatter (SSC) signal intensity was associated with NSTEMI compared to stable patients (3.828; 1.033-14.184; p = 0.045). Hence, changes in neutrophil phenotype are concomitant to ACS.

The optimal revascularization strategy for patients with left main coronary artery disease is still controversial. This is systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents compared with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) for LM disease.

Atherothrombotic disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), can lead to cardiovascular (CV) events, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, limb ischemia, heart failure, and CV death.

MicroRNA (miRNA, miR) measurements in patients with coronary heart disease are hampered by the confounding effects of medication commonly used in cardiovascular patients such as statins, antiplatelet drugs, and heparin administration. Statins reduce the circulating levels of liver-derived miR-122. Antiplatelet medication attenuates the release of platelet-derived miRNAs. Heparin inhibits the polymerase chain reactions, in particular the amplification of the exogenous Caenorhabditis elegans spike-in control, thereby resulting in an artefactual rise of endogenous miRNAs. As these limitations have not been previously recognised, a reevaluation of the current miRNA literature, in particular of case-control studies in patients with cardiovascular disease or coronary interventions, is required.

Background With the advent of modern imaging technologies, non-invasive assessment of the coronary system is not only possible but its complexity and plaque burden can be quantified. This study aims to determine whether calcium score on computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) can be associated with the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD), which is determined by the SYNTAX score on coronary angiography, as well as to determine which cut-off value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) score can predict severe CAD in our population. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Pakistan from January 2019 to March 2020. The calcium score of all patients with low-to-intermediate pretest probability of CAD was calculated on CTCA. All patients who had significant disease on CTCA were subjected to conventional coronary angiography and SYNTAX score was calculated, which was later used to determine the association between calcium and SYNTAX score. Results A total of 90 patients were included in the study. CAC and SYNTAX score were found to be positively correlated (Pearson coefficient [r] = 0.354; p = 0.001). The total CAC score with a cut-off value of 212 recognized patients with the SYNTAX score of >27. The sensitivity was 66.7% and specificity was 70.5% with an area under the curve of 0.743. The mean calcium score of patients in our study group was 223, with the maximum score of 1,216 and the minimum score of zero. Conclusion A CAC score greater than 212 is associated with a high SYNTAX score indicating complex disease. Only age is an independent predictor of calcium score.

To evaluate the association between retinal artery occlusion (RAO) and subclinical coronary artery disease (CAD).

The concept of hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) combines the left internal mammary artery (LIMA)-left anterior descending (LAD) graft and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to non-LAD vessels. Multiple comparative studies have evaluated the safety and feasibility of HCR and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for multivessel coronary artery disease (MCAD). However, the sample size of each study was small, and evidences based on single-institutional experience. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the short-term outcomes of HCR with those of CABG for MCAD.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) are associated with a decreased blood glutathione (bGSH) level. Since GSH metabolism is closely related to other aminothiols (homocysteine and cysteine) and glucose, the aim of this study was to reveal the associations of bGSH with glucose and plasma aminothiols in CAD patients (N = 35) before CABG and in the early postoperative period. Forty-three volunteers with no history of cardiovascular disease formed the control group. bGSH and its redox status were significantly lower in CAD patients at admission. CABG had no significant effect on these parameters, with the exception of an increase in the bGSH/hemoglobin ratio. At admission, CAD patients were characterized by negative associations of homocysteine and cysteine with bGSH. All these associations disappeared after CABG. An association was found between an increase in oxidized GSH in the blood in the postoperative period and fasting glucose levels. Thus, CAD is associated with the depletion of the intracellular pool and the redox status of bGSH, in which hyperhomocysteinemia and a decrease in the bioavailability of the extracellular pool of cysteine play a role. The present study indicates that CABG causes disruptions in aminothiol metabolism and induces the synthesis of bGSH. Moreover, glucose becomes an important factor in the dysregulation of GSH metabolism in CABG.

Arterial and venous cardiovascular conditions, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and venous thromboembolism (VTE), are genetically correlated. Interrogating distinct and overlapping mechanisms may shed new light on disease mechanisms.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the preferred coronary reperfusion strategy, induces endothelial trauma which may mount an inflammatory response. This has been shown to increase the likelihood of further major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Colchicine, a cheap and widely used anti-inflammatory has shown promise in improving cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to study the effects of colchicine in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) who have undergone PCI.

Two groups of patients were studied: group with stable coronary artery disease and group without the coronary artery disease. Classical risk factors of coronary artery disease as well as glycaemia and insulinemia during the oral glucose tolerance test was investigated. Positive correlation between coronary artery disease and classical risk factors as well as reactive insulin level was found with normal reactive glycemia.

The most prevalent illness among the elderly is coronary artery disease (CAD), and most of this population present with multi-vessel CAD which constitutes a common management difficulty among elderly people. This study aimed to compare long-term consequences of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) revascularization in elderly patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common heart diseases, characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries, resisting blood supply to cardiac muscle. Despite extensive research, the pathogenesis and therapeutic options for CAD remain limited. Epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in CAD progression. Here, we report a unique DNA methylation-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network for CAD, delineated through DNA methylation assays, miRNA and mRNA sequencing, bioinformatics analyses. We also identified key signaling pathways in this network, including the miR194 promoter-miR194-MAPK signaling pathway by pyrosequencing, methylation PCR, qRT-PCR. This pathway could play a role in CAD by apoptosis. Our findings suggested that this signaling pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for CAD. We believe that our study significantly contributes to an improved understanding of the role of specific miRNAs methylation, miRNA, and mRNAs in CAD pathogenesis.

Background Aerobic exercise capacity is inversely associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in men and women without coronary artery disease (CAD); however, a higher amount of vigorous exercise is associated with a J-shaped relationship in CAD patients. Therefore, the optimal type and amount of exercise for CAD patients is unclear. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality. Fatty plaque is more likely to rupture and cause coronary events than other types. We examined the association between exercise capacity, fatty plaque, CAC score and CVD events in CAD patients. Methods and Results A total of 270 subjects with stable CAD were divided into tertiles based on metabolic equivalents of task (METs) calculated from exercise treadmill testing. Self-reported exercise was obtained. Coronary computed tomographic angiography measured coronary plaque volume and CAC score. After adjustment, fatty plaque volume was not different among the 3 MET groups. For each 1 MET increase, CAC was 66.2 units lower (P=0.017). Those with CAC >400 and ≥8.2 METs had fewer CVD events over 30 months compared to <8.2 METs (P=0.037). Of moderate intensity exercisers (median, 240 min/wk; 78% walking only), 62.4% achieved ≥8.2 METs and lower CAC scores (P=0.07). Intensity and duration of exercise had no adverse impact on coronary plaque or CVD events. Conclusions Achieving ≥8.2 METs with moderate exercise intensity and volume as walking resulted in lower CAC scores and fewer CVD events. Therefore, vigorous exercise intensity and volume may not be needed for CAD patients to derive benefit. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique Identifier: NCT01624727.

We aimed at evaluating the prevalence and CT characteristics of occult coronary artery disease (CAD) in young Korean adults under 40 years of age by performing coronary CT angiography (CCTA).