Background Congenital bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) result from fusion of two valve cusps, resulting in left-noncoronary (L-N), right-left (R-L), and right-noncoronary (R-N) morphologies. BAVs predispose to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs). This study hypothesized that ATAAs with each BAV morphology group possess unique signatures of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). Methods ATAA tissue from 46 BAV patients was examined for MMP/TIMP abundance and global MMP activity compared to normal aortic specimens (n=15). Proteolytic balance was calculated as the ratio of MMP abundance to a composite TIMP score (TS). Results were stratified by valve morphology group (L-N (n=6), R-L (n=31), and R-N(n=9)). Results The BAV specimens (p<0.05 vs. normal aorta, 100%) displayed elevated global MMP activity (273±63%), MMP-9 (263±47%), and decreased MMP -7 (56±10%), -8 (58±11%), TIMP -1 (63±7%) and -4 (38±3%). The R-L group showed increased global MMP activity (286±89%) and MMP-9 (267±55%) with reduced MMP -7 (45±7%) -8 (68±15%), TIMP -1 (58±7%) and -4 (35±3%). The L-N group showed elevated global MMP activity (284±71%), and decreased MMP-8 (37±17%) and TIMP-4 (48±14). In the R-N group, MMP -7 (46±13%) and -8 (36±17%), and TIMP -1 (59±10) and -4 (42±5%) were decreased. The R-L group demonstrated an increased proteolytic balance for MMP-1, MMP-9, and MMP-12 relative to L-N and R-N. Conclusion Each BAV morphology group possesses a unique signature of MMPs and TIMPs. MMP/TIMP score ratios suggest that the R-L group may be more aggressive, justifying earlier surgical intervention.

Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has evolved as a rapid and highly sensitive method for the exclusion of obstructive coronary artery disease. Unfortunately, as it pertains to moderate and severe lesions, the ability to discriminate between those that are hemodynamically significant and those that are nonobstructive is lacking. Consequently, this deficiency can result in a significant number of unnecessary referrals for invasive angiography that yields nonobstructive results. Fractional flow reserve (FFR), which assesses the hemodynamic significance of a specific lesion, when performed during invasive angiography, results in improved patient outcomes compared with visual stenosis assessment alone. Through the application of computational analytic methods to CT-derived anatomic coronary models, noninvasive calculation of FFR has become possible. This allows for the improved ability to differentiate between nonobstructive coronary lesions and those that are truly hemodynamically significant. Currently, HeartFlow FFRCT is the only FDA-approved and commercially available CCTA-derived FFR (CT-FFR) platform. By reducing the number of invasive procedures performed for nonobstructive disease, CT-derived FFR has the ability to lower health care expenditures and become the true gatekeeper to invasive angiography.

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Background: There are limited data describing gender differences in patients undergoing chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Methods:We compared baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes between men and women among 9457 CTO PCIs performed at 38 centers between 2012 and 2022.Results: A total of 7687 (81%) men and 1770 (19%) women were treated. Women were older, more likely to have comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and peripheral arterial disease, and had higher left ventricular ejection fraction. The most common CTO target vessel was the right coronary artery for both men (53%) and women (52%), although the left anterior descending artery was more frequently the target vessel among women (31% vs. 25%; p < 0.001). The J-CTO score (2.4 ± 1.3 vs.2.2 ± 1.2; p < 0.001) as well as the PROGRESS-CTO score (1.3 ± 1.0 vs. 1.1 ± 1.0; p < 0.001) were higher among men. In female patients, antegrade wiring was more frequently the initial crossing strategy (87.6% vs. 82.4%; p < 0.001) and was more successful in crossing the target lesion (62.7% vs. 54.0%; p < 0.001) compared with men. Interventions in men required longer procedure time and fluoroscopy time, as well as higher air kerma radiation dose and contrast volume when compared to women. Technical (89% vs. 86%; p < 0.001) and procedural (87% vs. 84%; p = 0.003) success rates were higher among women. In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were also higher in women (2.9% vs. 1.8%; p < 0.001).Conclusions: Women undergoing CTO PCI had higher technical and procedural success rates, but also higher in-hospital MACE compared with men.

Background The use of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study. Methods We analyzed the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 82 CTO PCIs that required IVL at 14 centers between 2020 and 2022. Results During the study period, IVL was used in 82 of 3301 (2.5%) CTO PCI procedures (0.4% in 2020 and 7% in 2022; p for trend < 0.001). Mean patient age was 69 ± 11 years and 79% were men. The prevalence of hypertension (95%), diabetes mellitus (62%), and prior PCI (61%) was high. The most common target vessel was the right coronary artery (54%), followed by the left circumflex (23%). The mean J‐CTO and PROGRESS‐CTO scores were 2.8 ± 1.1 and 1.3 ± 1.0, respectively. Antegrade wiring was the final successful crossing strategy in 65% and the retrograde approach was used in 22%. IVL was used in 10% of all heavily calcified lesions and 11% of all balloon undilatable lesions. The 3.5 mm lithotripsy balloon was the most commonly used balloon (28%). The mean number of pulses per lithotripsy run was 33 ± 32 and the median duration of lithotripsy was 80  (interquartile range: 40−103) seconds. Technical and procedural success was achieved in 77 (94%) and 74 (90%) cases, respectively. Two (2.4%) Ellis Class 2 perforations occurred after IVL use and were managed conservatively. Conclusion IVL is increasingly being used in CTO PCI with encouraging outcomes.

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