In asymptomatic diabetic patients, longer diabetes duration is associated with a higher prevalence, extent, and severity of CAD as well as risk of MACCE. Moreover, greater CAD burden increases the risk of MACCE independent of co-existing CAD risk factors.

Based on our data, the addition of CCTA-detected obstructive CAD to models that include traditional risk factors improves the predictions of MACE in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study assessed the associations between microalbuminuria in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes and the presence, extent, and severity of coronary atherosclerosis, as measured by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and the long-term clinical outcomes. In total, the study enrolled 284 consecutive eligible asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes and without known coronary artery disease (CAD), who then underwent CCTA and 24 h urine albumin measurements. Microalbuminuria was defined as 30-300 mg/day urinary albumin excretion. Obstructive CAD, as measured by CCTA, was defined as maximum intra-luminal stenosis ≥50 %. Patients with and without microalbuminuria were compared in terms of obstructive CAD prevalence, and the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. They were evaluated using the following data: coronary artery calcium score (CACS), atheroma burden obstructive score (ABOS), segment involvement score (SIS) and segment stenosis score (SSS). All-cause mortality within a follow-up period of 5 years was also compared. Compared to patients without microalbuminuria, patients with microalbuminuria were more likely to have obstructive CAD (p = 0.004). Microalbuminuria was associated with higher ABOS (p = 0.010), SIS (p = 0.029), and SSS (p = 0.011), except for CACS (p = 0.058). Multivariable analyses adjusted for conventional cardiovascular risk factors revealed that microalbuminuria was an independent predictor of obstructive CAD [odds ratio 2.255, confidence intervals (CI) 1.121-4.538, p = 0.023] and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 3.469, CI 1.319-9.121, p = 0.012). In asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes, microalbuminuria was associated with increased risk of CAD and poorer clinical outcomes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the combined effects of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes on the extent and developmental pattern of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: A total of 3,017 self-referred asymptomatic individuals without known CAD who underwent 64-channel dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography between 2006 and 2010 were enrolled. The patients were divided into six groups based on their diabetes status (nondiabetic or diabetic) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m², normal renal function; eGFR 60–89, mild CKD; or eGFR 30–59, moderate CKD). We compared the coronary artery calcium score (CACS), segment stenosis score (SSS), and ≥50% obstructive CAD among the groups. Results: In nondiabetics, whereas SSS and ≥50% obstructive CAD were not different as renal function deteriorated, after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, CACS showed a unique developmental pattern: no CACS increase until mild CKD, but abrupt increase from the stage of moderate CKD (moderate vs. normal renal function, adjusted OR 5.118, 95% CI 1.293–20.262, p = 0.020). In diabetics, patients from the stage of mild CKD were more likely to have ≥50% obstructive CAD (p = 0.004), higher CACS (p = 0.020), and SSS (p = 0.001) in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: The presence of CKD did not have a significant impact on the development of coronary atherosclerosis, but affected the progression of coronary calcification more markedly from the stage of moderate CKD in nondiabetics. However, in diabetics, the deterioration of renal function was significantly associated with the development of coronary atherosclerosis and calcification from the stage of mild CKD.

No abstract

Airflow obstruction is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the causal mechanisms linking airflow obstruction with higher incidence of cardiovascular events remain elusive. We evaluated the relationship between airflow obstruction, a key feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and prevalence, extent, and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in a large cohort of asymptomatic subjects. Participants were recruited from those undergoing spirometry and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) as part of a general health evaluation from March 2009 to February 2011. Subjects were required to be over 40 years of age with no known CAD. Airflow obstruction was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < 70%. Obstructive CAD, as measured by CCTA, was defined as maximum intra-luminal stenosis ≥ 50%. Participants with airflow obstruction or normal lung function were compared in terms of obstructive CAD prevalence, the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis; including coronary artery calcium score (CACS), atheroma burden score (ABS), atheroma burden obstructive score (ABOS), segment involvement score (SIS), and segment stenosis score (SSS). A total of 1888 subjects were eligible for study inclusion. Compared with participants with normal lung function, those exhibiting airflow obstruction were more likely to have obstructive CAD (p = 0.002). Airflow obstruction was associated with higher CACS (p = 0.043), ABS (p = 0.002), ABOS (p = 0.017), SIS (p = 0.003), and SSS (p = 0.002). Multivariable analyses adjusted for conventional cardiovascular risk factors revealed that airflow obstruction was independently associated with presence of CAD (odds ratio 1.673, confidence intervals [CI] 1.002-2.789, p = 0.048). In this asymptomatic population, the presence of airflow obstruction was associated with a greater prevalence, extent, and severity of coronary atherosclerosis and was seen to be an independent predictor of the presence of CAD.

Dual time point FDG PET/CT imaging demonstrates that moderate-intensity statin therapy was insufficient in suppressed plaque inflammation within the first month after ACS in Asian patients, even though achieving target LDL levels.

Introduction: Advances in critical care management have led to the recent increase in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation (LT). Patients with respiratory failure requiring venovenous ECMO usually experience progressive right ventricular (RV) failure. Diagnosis and treatment of RV failure during ECMO are essential for improving the prognosis of patients.Patient concerns: A 28-year-old female patient underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from a matched unrelated donor for acute myeloid leukemia presenting with progressive dyspnea.Diagnoses: Computed tomography revealed multifocal patchy peribronchial and subpleural ground-glass opacities in both lungs, and the patient was clinically diagnosed with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.Interventions and outcomes: Despite intensifying systemic corticosteroid therapy, her symptoms deteriorated, and mechanical ventilation and ECMO were applied. During treatment, her respiratory failure continued to progress, and systemic hypotension developed. An echocardiogram showed evidence of RV failure, and percutaneous atrial septostomy was performed for RV decompression. After a balloon atrial septostomy was performed, RV failure of the patient improved, and LT was successfully performed.Lessons: We report the first case of atrial septostomy as a successful bridge to LT in a HSCT recipient with venovenous ECMO. Atrial septostomy could be an option for management of RV failure during ECMO. Further studies need to be conducted to validate the effect of atrial septostomy in patients with RV failure during ECMO.