Cardiac diagnostic testing continues to evolve, and controversies remain regarding the optimal utilization of different procedures. We sought to evaluate changes in long-term utilization trends for a wide range of cardiac diagnostic tests in the context of advancing technologies and updated guidelines.

Annual cardiac testing volumes from 2010 to 2022 in the Medicare Part B population were compared across tests and by provider specialty and analyzed using Joinpoint regression.

The most-utilized test in the Medicare population remained transthoracic echocardiography, accounting for 61.5% of cardiac testing use in 2011 and 67.7% in 2022, followed by single-photon emission computed tomography (CT) myocardial perfusion imaging, which decreased from 20.8% to 12.9%. Single-photon emission CT myocardial perfusion imaging use decreased relative to positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (ratio of 39:1 in 2011 to 7:1 in 2022), stress cardiac magnetic resonance (1179:1 in 2011, 268:1 in 2022), and coronary CT angiography (61:1 in 2011, 10:1 in 2022). Decreased use was also observed for exercise treadmill testing (2.3% to 1.7%), stress echocardiography (3.6% to 2.6%), multigated acquisition (0.4% to 0.1%), and invasive coronary angiography (8.0% to 7.0%). The use of fractional flow reserve by CT per 100 000 Medicare enrollees increased by >16-fold from 2018 (the first year covered) to 2022, and cardiac amyloidosis pyrophosphate scintigraphy studies increased 4-fold from 2011 to 2022 (0.17% to 0.68%). Positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging volumes have surpassed exercise treadmill test volumes and, assuming the current rate of change continues, are projected to surpass stress echocardiography volumes in 2024. Coronary CT angiography is projected to overtake exercise treadmill testing in 2024 and stress echocardiography in 2025.

Between 2010 and 2022, cardiac diagnostic testing in the US Medicare population shifted from invasive angiography and traditional stress testing toward an increase in cardiac CT, cardiac magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography. Pyrophosphate scintigraphy studies also increased, as did fractional flow reserve by CT since its introduction. Changes in preferred diagnostic modalities suggest a need to reevaluate current recommendations for training in cardiovascular medicine.

The 2021 Percutaneous Coronary Intervention guidelines completed by American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions provide a set of guidelines regarding revascularization strategies. With emphasis on equity of care, multidisciplinary heart team use, revascularization for acute coronary syndrome, and stable ischemic heart disease, the guidelines create a thorough framework with recommendations regarding therapeutic strategies. In this comprehensive review, our aim is to summarize the 2021 revascularization guidelines and analyze key points regarding each recommendation.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in the US, predominantly due to ischemic heart disease (IHD). There is a notable deficiency in therapies tailored for IHD in women, who often present with variable symptoms that delay diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, coronary angiography does not reveal obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) despite increased risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) compared with sex and age-matched asymptomatic cohorts.

The Women's IschemiA TRial to Reduce Events in Nonobstructive CAD (WARRIOR) evaluates intensive medical treatment for women with Ischemia with No Obstructive Coronary Arteries (INOCA). The QUIET WARRIOR sub-study aims to improve predictive tools for adverse outcomes by detailed analysis of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) data and biorepository samples. These data will also uncover pathophysiological mechanisms associated with angina and MACE, improving predictive tools for symptomatic women with INOCA.

This ancillary study will analyze CCTA images from 600 WARRIOR subjects. It will assess clinical, social, and coronary artery variables, including plaque characteristics and markers of inflammation. Advanced imaging techniques and machine-learning models will be employed to quantify plaque features and predict clinical outcomes.

The study aims to elucidate associations between CCTA-derived plaque characteristics, ischemic symptoms, and MACE. Anticipated findings include correlations of specific plaque attributes with angina severity and novel insights into inflammatory markers. Socioeconomic variables will also be examined for their impact on cardiovascular risk.

The QUIET WARRIOR sub-study will advance the understanding of INOCA in women, integrating clinical, imaging, and socioeconomic data to enhance risk prediction and guide personalized therapeutic strategies. This research will address critical gaps in managing nonobstructive CAD, promoting more equitable cardiovascular care.

The advantages and disadvantages of direct invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) + ICA were compared in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) who presented with angina symptoms or who had nonangina chest pain with abnormal electrocardiogram results.

A total of 1200 patients who met the inclusion criteria at TEDA International Cardiovascular Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were randomly divided into two groups at a 1:1 ratio: the CCTA + ICA strategy (CCTA group) and the direct ICA strategy (ICA group). The baseline data were collected. All patients in the CCTA group underwent CCTA examination first. If these results showed positive obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), then typical angina with coronary artery stenosis ranging from 50 to 70% or vascular segments could not be analysed due to severe calcification, so ICA was further performed for definitive diagnosis, and the ICA results were taken as the final diagnosis. All patients in the ICA group underwent ICA examination directly. Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, biochemical criteria, chest pain classification, coronary vessel lesion severity and drug use were compared between the two groups. All patients were followed for 1 year after discharge to observe major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The differences in unnecessary ICA rates, 1-year MACE rates, allergic reactions to contrast agents and hospitalization costs between the two groups were analysed. On the basis of the baseline clinical data of patients included in this study, a risk prediction model for obstructive CAD was established by logistic regression.

(1) There were 592 patients in the CCTA group and 594 patients in the ICA group. The percentage of unnecessary ICA procedures was 7.5% in the CCTA group and 55.2% in the ICA group (P < 0.001), which was a decrease of 86.4%. (2) Eighteen patients in the CCTA group were readmitted for severe angina, 4 of whom underwent unplanned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Eight patients in the ICA group were readmitted for severe angina, 2 of whom underwent unplanned PCI. There were no cardiac deaths, nonfatal myocardial infarctions or strokes in either group over the 1-year follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of MACE-free survival between the two groups (97.0% vs. 98.7%, log-rankχ²=1.996, P = 0.158). (3) Allergic reactions to contrast agent were observed in 28 patients in the CCTA group and 16 in the ICA group (P = 0.190). (4) The median hospitalization cost in the CCTA group was $1259.54, and that in the ICA group was $1399.41, which was a significant difference (P < 0.001) and a decrease of 9.99%. (5) Based on the combination of the logistic regression forward selection method and backward elimination method, variables with P < 0.05, including creatinine, age, physical activity-induced symptoms, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes and smoking history, were selected from the baseline data of patients to predict obstructive CAD. The above variables were used to establish a risk prediction model for obstructive CAD. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of this model was 0.721, indicating good predictive ability.

In patients with suspected CCS, including typical angina, atypical angina and nonangina chest pain with abnormal electrocardiogram results, the use of CCTA as a first-line diagnostic test can reduce the unnecessary incidence of ICA and hospitalization costs without increasing the incidence of MACE. A risk prediction model of obstructive CAD was established on the basis of the baseline data of the patients enrolled in this study, providing a clinical basis for the decision to use CCTA or ICA. Patients with a low probability of obstructive CAD can be given priority for CCTA, whereas patients with a high probability can be given priority for ICA.

Due to its significant prevalence and clinical implications, angina with non-obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA) has become a major focus in modern cardiology. In fact, diagnosing ANOCA presents a significant challenge. The final diagnosis is often difficult, delayed, and frequently necessitates an invasive assessment through coronary angiography. However, recent improvements in non-invasive cardiac imaging allow a diagnosis of ANOCA using a combination of clinical evaluation, anatomical coronary imaging, and functional testing. This narrative review aims to critically assess various non-invasive diagnostic methods and propose a multimodal approach to diagnose ANOCA and tailor appropriate treatments.

To investigate the association between preoperative coronary artery disease (CAD) severity, as classified by the Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System (CAD-RADS), and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). A total of 897 patients (452 women; mean age, 66.1 ± 9.3 years) who underwent isolated AVR and preoperative coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) between 2004 and 2022 were stratified by the CAD-RADS score. The outcomes of interest were all-cause death and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). The CAD-RADS score was 0 in 290 (32%) patients, 1 in 208 (23%), 2 in 255 (29%), 3 in 82 (9%), and 4 in 62 (7%) patients. The rates of all-cause death and MACCE tended to increase in parallel with CAD-RADS score (4%, 10.5%, 8.2%, 18.2%, 28.1% at 5 years and 14.4%, 15.1%, 16.7%, 26.9%, 38.4% at 5 years, both P < 0.001). CAD-RADS score ≥ 3 was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death (HR 2.44, 95% CI: 1.52-3.93) and MACCE (HR 1.79, 95% CI: 1.27-2.52) after adjusting for potential confounders. Notably, patients with CAD-RADS ≥ 3 who received medical therapy in addition to coronary angiography (CAG) improved overall survival compared to those who did not undergo CAG. Preoperative CCTA with CAD-RADS assessment would be useful for screening concomitant CAD and predicting long-term clinical outcomes including all-cause death and MACCE in patients undergoing isolated AVR. For patients with CAD-RADS ≥ 3, it is essential to implement medicinal therapy or intervention along with CAG.

Photon-counting detector-computed tomography (PCD-CT) has emerged as a promising technology, offering improved spatial resolution.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact and diagnostic performance of PCD-CT vs conventional energy-integrating detector computed tomography (EID-CT) for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

From 2022 to 2023, we retrospectively identified 7,833 consecutive patients who underwent clinically indicated coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) at a single center, with either PCD-CT (n = 3,876; NAEOTOM Alpha [Siemens Healthineers]) or EID-CT (n = 3,957; Revolution Apex 256 [GE HealthCare] or Aquilion ONE ViSION 320 [Canon Medical Systems]) scanners. Subsequent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and percutaneous or surgical revascularization were performed as part of routine clinical care. Among those referred for ICA after coronary CTA, the presence of obstructive CAD in each vessel was determined by coronary CTA (severe stenosis on visual assessment per the Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System) and ICA (≥50% diameter stenosis on quantitative coronary angiography) in a blinded fashion. The diagnostic performance of EID-CT and PCD-CT was compared by using quantitative coronary angiography as the reference standard.

Patients who underwent PCD-CT were less frequently referred to subsequent ICA than those undergoing EID-CT (9.9% vs 13.1%; P < 0.001). Among those who underwent ICA, revascularization was more frequently performed in the PCD-CT group than in the EID-CT group (43.4% vs 35.5%; P = 0.02). In the vessel-level analysis (n = 1,686), specificity (98.0% vs 93.0%; P < 0.001), positive predictive value (83.3% vs 63.0%; P = 0.002), and diagnostic accuracy (97.2% vs 92.8%; P < 0.001) were improved by PCD-CT. Sensitivity (90.9% vs 90.7%; P = 0.95) and negative predictive value (98.9% vs 98.7%; P = 0.83) for obstructive CAD were similar between the PCD-CT and EID-CT groups, respectively.

PCD-CT exhibited excellent diagnostic performance for detecting obstructive CAD. Compared with patients undergoing conventional EID-CT, fewer patients were referred to ICA after PCD-CT, but those referred were more likely to undergo revascularization.

Whether index testing using coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) improves outcomes in stable chest pain is debated. The risk factor weighted clinical likelihood (RF-CL) model provides likelihood estimation of obstructive coronary artery disease. This study investigated the prognostic effect of coronary CTA vs. usual care by RF-CL estimates.

Large-scale studies randomized patients (N = 13 748) with stable chest pain to coronary CTA as part of the initial work-up in addition to or instead of usual care including functional testing. Patients were stratified according to RF-CL estimates [RF-CL: very-low (≤5%), low (>5%-15%), and moderate/high (>15%)]. The primary endpoint was myocardial infarction or death at 3 years.

The primary endpoint occurred in 313 (2.3%) patients. Event rates were similar in patients allocated to coronary CTA vs. usual care [risk difference (RD) 0.3%, hazard ratio (HR) 0.84 (95% CI 0.67-1.05)]. Overall, 33%, 44%, and 23% patients had very-low, low, and moderate/high RF-CL. Risk was similar in patients with very low and moderate/high RF-CL allocated to coronary CTA vs. usual care [very low: RD 0.3%, HR 1.27 (0.74-2.16); moderate/high: RD 0.5%, HR 0.88 (0.63-1.23)]. Conversely, patients with low RF-CL undergoing coronary CTA had lower event rates [RD 0.7%, HR 0.67 (95% CI 0.47-0.97)]. The number needed to test using coronary CTA to prevent one event within 3 years was 143.

Despite an overall good prognosis, low RF-CL patients have reduced risk of myocardial infarction or death when allocated to coronary CTA vs. usual care. Risk is similar in patients with very-low and moderate/high likelihood.

The PRECISE (Prospective Randomized Trial of the Optimal Evaluation of Cardiac Symptoms and Revascularization) trial compared an investigational precision diagnostic testing strategy (n=1057) with usual testing (n=1046) in patients with stable chest pain and suspected coronary artery disease. Quality of life (QOL) outcomes were a prespecified secondary end point.

We assessed QOL by structured interviews in all trial participants at baseline and 45 days, 6 months, and 12 months postrandomization. QOL assessments included angina-related QOL (19-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire [SAQ-19]), generic health status (EQ-5D), and a 4-item care satisfaction survey (at 45 days only). The prespecified primary comparison was the 6-month SAQ Summary score outcomes (scale, 0 to 100; higher scores indicate greater health status). QOL data collection rates were high, with 99% complete baseline SAQ scores and 86.5% complete at the 6-month primary comparison follow-up. All comparisons were made as randomized.

At baseline, mean SAQ Summary scores were 70.9 in the Precision Strategy group (n=1050) and 70.4 in the Usual Testing group (n=1042). By 6 months, mean SAQ Summary scores had improved to 89.9 in the Precision Strategy group and 89.2 in the Usual Testing group, with a mean adjusted difference of 0.8 (95% CI, -0.3 to 2.0). The SAQ component scores showed similar improvement from baseline in both groups and no statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences between the 2 groups at any follow-up time point. By 6 months, 66% of patients in both groups were chest pain-free. EQ-5D visual analog scores also improved from baseline and showed no difference between groups during follow-up. Care satisfaction scores were high and similar at 45 days.

In stable patients with symptoms suggesting coronary artery disease, angina-related and overall QOL improved substantially over the initial 6 months independent of the testing strategy assigned.

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03702244.

The PRECISE (Prospective Randomized Trial of the Optimal Evaluation of Cardiac Symptoms and Revascularization) demonstrated that a precision diagnostic strategy reduced the primary composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or catheterization without obstructive coronary artery disease by 65% in patients with nonacute chest pain compared with usual testing. Medical cost was a prespecified secondary end point.

PRECISE randomized 2103 patients between December 2018 and May 2021 to usual testing or a precision strategy that used deferred testing for the lowest risk patients (20%) and coronary computed tomographic angiography with selective computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve for the remainder. Resource use consumption data were collected from all study participants and hospital cost data from US participants (n=1125) to estimate total medical costs. The primary and secondary economic outcomes were total costs at 12 months and at 45 days, respectively, from the US health care system perspective. The mean cost differences between the 2 strategies were reported by intention-to-treat.

At 45 days, total costs were similar between the precision strategy and usual testing (mean difference, $182 [95% CI, -$555 to $661]). By 12 months, percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass surgery had been performed in 7.2% and 2.0% of precision strategy patients and 3.5% and 1.7% of usual testing patients, respectively. At 1 year, precision strategy costs were $5299 versus $4821 for usual testing (mean difference, $478 [95% CI, -$889 to $1437]; P=0.43). Precision care decreased mean per-patient diagnostic cost by 27% and increased mean per-patient revascularization costs by 67%.

In the PRECISE trial, the precision strategy, a risk-based approach endorsed by current clinical practice guidelines, improved the clinical efficiency of testing and had similar costs to usual testing at 45 days and a nonsignificant $478 cost difference at 1 year.

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03702244.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a primary cause of mortality, prompting ongoing research into noninvasive diagnostic modalities. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of exercise electrocardiography testing (EET) combined with cadmium zinc tellurium cardiac-dedicated single photon emission computed tomography (CZT-SPECT) imaging for CAD.

CZT-SPECT and EET were examined in 124 patients aged 20-85 years, followed by coronary angiography to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of EET/CZT-SPECT alone and in combination. CAD was defined as the presence of > 50% stenosis at the time of coronary angiography.

The sensitivity of the EET test alone was 31.58%, the specificity was 80%, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 22.22%, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 86.6%. The corresponding values of CZT-SPECT alone were 36.07%, 92.06%, 81.48% and 59.79%, respectively. The combined results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 60.00%, 90.57%, 54.55%, and 92.31%, respectively. In this study, the positive likelihood ratio (PLR) diagnosed with EET alone was 1.58, the PLR diagnosed with CZT-SPECT alone was 4.54, and the PLR diagnosed with combination was 6.36.

The combination of CZT-SPECT and EET showed significantly improved CAD diagnostic accuracy compared with either approach alone.

Hepatic steatosis (HS) and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk ≥ 7.5% are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events.

To assess underlying coronary artery disease (CAD) and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) among those with and without HS at different ASCVD risk.

We evaluated stable chest pain patients receiving coronary computed tomography (CT) in the PROMISE trial. HS and CAD endpoints were defined on coronary CT. MACE was defined as unstable angina, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and all-cause death. Multivariable Cox regression, adjusting for CAD characteristics, assessed the association of HS with MACE for ASCVD < 7.5%.

One thousand two hundred and four of 3702 (32.5%) patients were at ASCVD < 7.5% and 20.3% (244/1204) of them had HS. Individuals with HS were younger (54.3 ± 5.2 vs. 55.8 ± 5.2; p < 0.001), more often males (40.2% [98/244] vs. 27.1% [260/960]; p < 0.001), had more risk factors/person (2.06 ± 0.89 vs. 1.93 ± 0.91; p = 0.047). CAD characteristics were similar between HS vs. non-HS patients at ASCVD < 7.5% and ASCVD ≥ 7.5% (all p > 0.05). Patients with HS had greater MACE rate compared to non-HS patients (ASCVD < 7.5%: 3.75%[9/244] vs. 1.5% [14/960]; p = 0.027 and ASCVD ≥ 7.5%: 4.7% [33/696] vs. 3.1% [56/1802]; p = 0.043). In patients without HS, MACE rate was higher in the ASCVD ≥ 7.5% vs. < 7.5% (3.1% [56/1802] vs. 1.5% [14/960]; p = 0.011). In patients with HS, MACE rates were not significantly different between ASCVD ≥ 7.5% vs. < 7.5% (4.7% [33/696] vs. 3.7% [9/244]; p = 0.484). In ASCVD < 7.5%, HS predicted MACE (aHR:2.34, 95%CI:1.01-5.43; p = 0.048), independent of CAD characteristics.

Individuals with HS at ASCVD < 7.5% risk had similar CAD characteristics as patients without HS at < 7.5% ASCVD risk, yet experienced comparable MACE rates as those at ASCVD ≥ 7.5%.

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is an excellent tool in ruling out coronary artery disease (CAD) but tends to overestimate especially highly calcified plaques. To reduce diagnostic invasive catheter angiographies (ICA), current guidelines recommend CT-FFR to determine the hemodynamic significance of coronary artery stenosis. Photon-Counting Detector CT (PCCT) revolutionized CCTA and may improve CT-FFR analysis in guiding patients.

In this single-center study, patients with obstructive CAD who underwent CCTA using PCCT and subsequent ICA were included. Delta CT-FFR was calculated by subtracting the CT-FFR values 1.8 cm before and after the stenosis, with a cut-off value of ≥0.06 indicating hemodynamic significance. Revascularization during ICA defined a stenosis as hemodynamically significant. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of Delta CT-FFR have been determined. Patients were followed up to evaluate the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) 6 months after CCTA.

A total of 28 patients (3 female, median age 68 years) were enrolled in this study. Delta CT-FFR was pathological in all patients who underwent revascularization. No patients with normal Delta CT-FFR required stent placement. In 39.29 % of the cases, calculation of Delta CT-FFR could have prevented patients from undergoing unnecessary ICA. The positive predictive value of Delta CT-FFR for CAD RADS 4a was 66.7 %, negative predictive value 100 %, and diagnostic accuracy 74 %.

Delta CT-FFR analysis using PCCT offers a feasible tool in identifying hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis and can help to reduce purely diagnostic ICA.

The 2024 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines on chronic coronary syndrome comprehensively summarize the symptoms, diagnostics and treatment of coronary artery disease, excluding acute coronary syndromes. The processing always begins with an estimation of the clinical probability, which should include not only the symptom profile but also the number of cardiovascular risk factors and is further modified by any conspicuous findings in electrocardiography (ECG), exercise testing, or echocardiography. For further diagnostics, coronary angiography via computed tomography is the first-line approach if the probability lies between 5% and 50%. For probabilities of 50-85% procedures for imaging-based ischemia detection are indicated, while for even higher probabilities immediate invasive diagnostics are given priority. The treatment includes intensive risk modification, medicinal anti-anginal treatment and finally revascularization by coronary intervention or bypass surgery. In the absence of high-risk constellations a medication-based approach should be initially preferred, with revascularization indicated if symptoms persist. The new guidelines also extensively address angina and ischemia without obstructive coronary lesions. In this context, intensive risk modification and initial medication treatment are again recommended.

Stress echocardiography is widely used to assess patients with chest pain. The clinical value of a positive or negative test result to inform on likely longer-term outcomes when applied in real-world practice across a healthcare system has not been previously reported.

Five thousand five hundred and three patients recruited across 32 UK NHS hospitals between 2018 and 2022, participating in the EVAREST/BSE-NSTEP prospective cohort study, with data on medical outcomes up to 2023 available from NHS England were included in the analysis. Stress echocardiography results were related to outcomes, including death, procedures, hospital admissions, and relevant cardiovascular diagnoses, based on Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs). Median follow-up was 829 days (interquartile range 224-1434). A positive stress echocardiogram was associated with a greater risk of myocardial infarction [HR 2.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.73-4.24, P < 0.001] and a composite endpoint of cardiac-related mortality and myocardial infarction (HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.41-2.93, P < 0.001). Hazard ratios increased with ischaemic burden. A negative stress echocardiogram identified an event-free 'warranty period' of at least 5 years in patients with no prior history of coronary artery disease and 4 years for those with disease.

In real-world practice, the degree of myocardial ischaemia recorded by clinicians at stress echocardiography correctly categorizes risk of future events over the next 5 years. Reporting a stress echocardiogram as negative correctly identifies patients with no greater than a background risk of cardiovascular events over a similar time period.

Vascular inflammation affects acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurrence in patients with stable angina. Coronary inflammation can be represented by the pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI).This study investigated the quantitative prognostic value of plaque characteristics and FAI in patients with stable angina.

Risk factors for ACS occurrence in patients with stable angina pectoris were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic value of FAI and plaque characteristics for ACS occurrence in these patients were determined; Kaplan-Meier curves were used to predict ACS event incidence.

After postpropensity score matching, data of 60 and 130 patients with and without ACS, respectively, were analyzed. Pericoronary FAI, lipid volume, and lipid percentage in the narrowest segment significantly improved ACS diagnosis in patients with stable angina. Luminal stenosis ≥50% and FAI >-88 Hounsfield units (HU) were independent risk factors for ACS occurrence in patients with stable angina. Perileft anterior descending artery (LAD) FAI >-88 HU better predicted ACS occurrence in patients with stable angina than did peri-LAD FAI ≤-88 HU.

In patients with stable angina, lipid volume and percentage and pericoronary FAI improved the diagnostic ability of luminal stenosis for ACS occurrence. Furthermore, peri-LAD FAI >-88 HU could predict ACS occurrence.

The Scottish Computed Tomography of the Heart (SCOT-HEART) trial demonstrated that management guided by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) improved the diagnosis, management, and outcome of patients with stable chest pain. We aimed to assess whether CCTA-guided care results in sustained long-term improvements in management and outcomes.

SCOT-HEART was an open-label, multicentre, parallel group trial for which patients were recruited from 12 outpatient cardiology chest pain clinics across Scotland. Eligible patients were aged 18-75 years with symptoms of suspected stable angina due to coronary heart disease. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to standard of care plus CCTA or standard of care alone. In this prespecified 10-year analysis, prescribing data, coronary procedural interventions, and clinical outcomes were obtained through record linkage from national registries. The primary outcome was coronary heart disease death or non-fatal myocardial infarction on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01149590) and is complete.

Between Nov 18, 2010, and Sept 24, 2014, 4146 patients were recruited (mean age 57 years [SD 10], 2325 [56·1%] male, 1821 [43·9%] female), with 2073 randomly assigned to standard care and CCTA and 2073 to standard care alone. After a median of 10·0 years (IQR 9·3-11·0), coronary heart disease death or non-fatal myocardial infarction was less frequent in the CCTA group compared with the standard care group (137 [6·6%] vs 171 [8·2%]; hazard ratio [HR] 0·79 [95% CI 0·63-0·99], p=0·044). Rates of all-cause, cardiovascular, and coronary heart disease death, and non-fatal stroke, were similar between the groups (p>0·05 for all), but non-fatal myocardial infarctions (90 [4·3%] vs 124 [6·0%]; HR 0·72 [0·55-0·94], p=0·017) and major adverse cardiovascular events (172 [8·3%] vs 214 [10·3%]; HR 0·80 [0·65-0·97], p=0·026) were less frequent in the CCTA group. Rates of coronary revascularisation procedures were similar (315 [15·2%] vs 318 [15·3%]; HR 1·00 [0·86-1·17], p=0·99) but preventive therapy prescribing remained more frequent in the CCTA group (831 [55·9%] of 1486 vs 728 [49·0%] of 1485 patients with available data; odds ratio 1·17 [95% CI 1·01-1·36], p=0·034).

After 10 years, CCTA-guided management of patients with stable chest pain was associated with a sustained reduction in coronary heart disease death or non-fatal myocardial infarction. Identification of coronary atherosclerosis by CCTA improves long-term cardiovascular disease prevention in patients with stable chest pain.

The Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorates, Edinburgh and Lothian's Health Foundation Trust, British Heart Foundation, and Heart Diseases Research Fund.

Discrepancies often exist between patient-reported symptoms and diagnostic test findings in patients with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

To quantify the association between patient-reported symptoms and the diagnosis of severe stenosis in patients with suspected obstructive CAD.

Two large-scale cohorts of patients with new-onset symptoms suggestive of obstructive CAD were evaluated. Chest discomfort was assessed by typicality, location, type, exertional/stress factors, and relief with rest/nitroglycerine. Patients underwent non-invasive diagnostic testing (coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) or functional testing), followed by test-result-driven invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Severe stenosis was defined as ≥70 ​% diameter stenosis on ICA. Sensitivity analyses included CCTA stenosis, functional abnormalities, and revascularization.

Of 14,410 patients, 2093 (14.5 ​%) were referred for ICA, and 765 (5.3 ​%) were diagnosed with severe stenosis. Patients with typical angina (n ​= ​224) had higher odds of being diagnosed with severe stenosis on ICA (OR and 95 ​% CIs: 2.84 [2.40-3.34]) than those with atypical or non-anginal symptoms. In patients diagnosed with severe stenosis on ICA, those with exertional/stress factors (n ​= ​418; OR [95 ​% CI]: 2.50 [2.16-2.90]) and relief with rest/nitroglycerine (n ​= ​318, 2.28; [1.96-2.65]) had higher odds compared to those without. Patients reporting pressure or burning pain had higher odds of severe stenosis. Associations were consistent across sex and age groups, and sensitivity references.

Exertional/stress-related chest discomfort and relief with rest/nitroglycerine increased the odds of severe stenosis in patients with suspected CAD undergoing test-result-driven ICA, while location and type of chest pain were less associated, with no differences across sex or age groups.

To assess the effectiveness of noninvasive coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) as an alternative to traditional invasive coronary angiography (ICA) for preoperative evaluation of low-risk patients with an indication for nonemergent mitral surgery and to assess any difference in adverse outcomes from this strategy.

This was a retrospective cohort study from a single center with data collected from July 2014 to June 2020 for 1576 patients undergoing mitral valve surgery of all etiologies, excluding patients requiring coronary artery bypass surgery. We performed a 1:2 propensity score matching for patients evaluated with CTA (n = 345) to those evaluated with ICA (n = 602). The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse events in the immediate postoperative period, including death, stroke, new-onset renal failure, postoperative cardiac arrest, need for unplanned coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary re-vascularization. The odds ratio was calculated for occurrence of major adverse events in the CTA group compared with the catheterization group.

The mean age (standard deviation) was 55.62 years (11.54) for the CTA group and 58.22 years (10.11) for the ICA group. In the CTA group 334 (96.8%) and from the ICA group 582 (96.7%) patients underwent mitral valve repair. Thirteen (3.8%) patients in the CTA group experienced a major adverse event compared with 25 (4.2%) patients in the ICA group. Of these, there were no mortalities in the CTA group but 1 (0.2%) operative mortality in the ICA group. Four (1.2%) patients in the CTA group had a postoperative stroke compared with 3 (0.5%) patients in the ICA group. One (0.3%) patient in the CTA group required renal-replacement therapy postoperatively compared with 11 (1.8%) in the ICA group. Percutaneous coronary intervention was required in 1 (0.3%) patient in CTA group and 2 (0.3%) patients in ICA group for a coronary complication of valve surgery despite nonobstructive coronary anatomy being confirmed in both groups preoperatively. The odds ratio for having a major adverse event when worked up by CTA compared with ICA was 0.904 (0.443, 1.761).

There were no increased odds of experiencing a major adverse event for low-risk patients undergoing elective mitral valve surgery and preoperative coronary evaluation with CTA compared with ICA. These data have modified our practice pattern, where we now offer coronary CTA to all elective patients who are low risk for coronary artery disease.

Risk stratification of patients with symptomatic nonobstructive coronary artery disease remains uncertain. Our study assessed the clinical value of single-vessel, multivessel, and 3-vessel computational angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (caFFR) measurement in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

We enrolled patients with ≤50% stenosis with a caFFR value ≥0.8 in all 3 coronary arteries on coronary angiography. The sum of caFFR values in the 3 vessels was computed for each patient. Patient stratification was based on the median value of the following criteria: single-vessel analysis, multivessel analysis, and 3-vessel analysis. The primary end point of this study was major adverse cardiac events at 5 years, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven revascularization. A total of 490 patients were included. The 5-year major adverse cardiac event rates in single-vessel analysis were statistically insignificant between low- and high-caFFR groups (left anterior descending artery [P=0.163]; left circumflex artery [P=0.797]; right coronary artery [P=0.127]). In multivessel analysis, patients in the multiple-vessel low-caFFR group (with 2-3 vessels lower than median value of all coronary arteries) showed an increased risk of 5-year major adverse cardiac events compared with patients in the single-vessel low-caFFR group (0-1 vessel) (hazard ratio [HR], 2.648 [95% CI, 1.141-6.145]; P=0.023). In 3-vessel analysis, patients in the low 3-vessel caFFR group demonstrated a greater 5-year major adverse cardiac event risk than the high 3-vessel caFFR group (HR, 2.43 [95% CI, 1.087-5.433]; P=0.031).

We demonstrated that both multiple-vessel and 3-vessel caFFR measurements serve as valuable prognostic indicators for risk assessment in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

Overtesting of low-risk patients with suspect chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is widespread. The acoustic-based coronary artery disease (CAD)-score has superior rule-out capabilities when added to pre-test probability (PTP). FILTER-SCAD tested whether providing a CAD-score and PTP to cardiologists was superior to PTP alone in limiting testing.

At six Danish and Swedish outpatient clinics, patients with suspected new-onset CCS were randomized to either standard diagnostic examination (SDE) with PTP, or SDE plus CAD-score, and cardiologists provided with corresponding recommended diagnostic flowcharts. The primary endpoint was cumulative number of diagnostic tests at one year and key safety endpoint major adverse cardiac events (MACE).

In total, 2008 patients (46% male, median age 63 years) were randomized from October 2019 to September 2022. When randomized to CAD-score (n = 1002), it was successfully measured in 94.5%. Overall, 13.5% had PTP ≤ 5%, and 39.5% had CAD-score ≤ 20. Testing was deferred in 22% with no differences in diagnostic tests between groups (P for superiority = .56). In the PTP ≤ 5% subgroup, the proportion with deferred testing increased from 28% to 52% (P < .001). Overall MACE was 2.4 per 100 person-years. Non-inferiority regarding safety was established, absolute risk difference 0.49% (95% confidence interval -1.96-0.97) (P for non-inferiority = .003). No differences were seen in angina-related health status or quality of life.

The implementation strategy of providing cardiologists with a CAD-score alongside SDE did not reduce testing overall but indicated a possible role in patients with low CCS likelihood. Further strategies are warranted to address resistance to modifying diagnostic pathways in this patient population.

The main objectives of this work are to validate a 1D-0D unsteady solver with a distributed stenosis model for the patient-specific estimation of resting haemodynamic indices and to assess the sensitivity of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) predictions to uncertainties in input parameters. We considered 52 patients with stable coronary artery disease, for which 81 invasive iFR measurements were available. We validated the performance of our solver compared to 3D steady-state and transient results and invasive measurements. Next, we used a polynomial chaos approach to characterise the uncertainty in iFR predictions based on the inputs associated with boundary conditions (coronary flow, compliance and aortic/left ventricular pressures) and vascular geometry (radius). Agreement between iFR and the ratio between cardiac cycle averaged distal and aortic pressure waveforms (restingP d / P a $$ {P}_d/{P}_a $$ ) obtained through 1D-0D and 3D models was satisfactory, with a bias of 0.0-0.005 (±0.016-0.026). The sensitivity analysis showed that iFR estimation is mostly affected by uncertainties in vascular geometry and coronary flow (steady-state parameters). In particular, our 1D-0D method overestimates invasive iFR measurements, with a bias of -0.036 (±0.101), indicating that better flow estimates could significantly improve our modelling pipeline. Conversely, we showed that standard pressure waveforms could be used for simulations, since the impact of uncertainties related to inlet-pressure waveforms on iFR prediction is negligible. Furthermore, while compliance is the most relevant transient parameter, its effect on iFR estimates is negligible compared to that of vascular geometry and flow. Finally, we observed a strong correlation between iFR and restingP d / P a $$ {P}_d/{P}_a $$ , suggesting that steady-state simulations could replace unsteady simulations for iFR prediction.

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and dynamic stress CT myocardial perfusion (CT-MPI) are established modalities in the analysis of patients with chronic coronary syndromes. Their role in patients with suspected non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is unknown. CCTA with CT-MPI might assist in the triage of NSTEMI patients to the Cath lab. We investigated the correlation of significant epicardial lesions by CT-MPI in addition to CCTA compared to invasive coronary angiography (ICA) with fractional flow reserve (FFR) in patients with NSTEMI. Twenty NSTEMI patients scheduled for ICA were enrolled in this study with planned ICA. CCTA and CT-MPI was performed pre-ICA. For each coronary artery, the presence or absence of significant lesions was interpreted by CCTA with CT-MPI, using an FFR of ≤ 0.8 or angiographic culprit (stenosis > 90%, suspected plaque rupture) as reference. The main outcome was the per-vessel correlation. Sixteen out of 20 patients had a culprit lesion that required immediate revascularization. CCTA with ≥ 50% stenosis demonstrated a per vessel sensitivity and specificity for the detection of significant stenosis of respectively 100% (95% CI: 86-100%) and 75% (95% CI: 58-88%). CCTA with CT-MPI showed a lower sensitivity 90% (95% CI: 70-99%) but higher specificity of 100% (95% CI: 90-100%). CCTA with CT-MPI exhibits a strong correlation for identifying significant CAD in patients with NSTEMI. Thereby, it might assist in the triage of ICA in NSTEMI patients.

The increased specificity of ultrahigh-resolution (UHR) photon-counting detector (PCD)-CT over energy-integrating detector (EID)-CT for coronary CT angiography (CCTA) could defer unwarranted downstream tests. The objective of the study was to simulate the cost-effectiveness of UHR CCTA in stable chest pain patients with coronary calcifications.

A decision and simulation model was developed using Monte Carlo simulations with 1000 bootstrap resamples to estimate the costs associated with PCD-CT in lieu of EID-CT for CCTA and the referral for subsequent testing. The model was constructed using the diagnostic accuracy metrics of 55 coronary lesions in patients who underwent CCTA on both CT systems and subsequent invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Sensitivity and specificity were defined for each Coronary Artery Disease Reporting and Data System category. The aggregate healthcare expenditures were derived from the hospital billing system.

Assuming a projected cohort of 15,000 patients over the lifetime of the PCD-CT, its implementation resulted in a 18.9 ​% reduction in the number of functional follow-up tests (6330.3 ​± ​59.5 vs. 5135.7 ​± ​60.6, p ​< ​0.001), a 6.0 ​% reduction in performed ICAs (1447.7 ​± ​36.2 vs. 1360.2 ​± ​34.7, p ​< ​0.001), and a 9.4 ​% decrease in major procedure-related complications. Over a 10-year expected life expectancy, PCD-CT led to an average cost saving of $794.50 ​± ​18.50 per patient and an overall cost difference of $11,917,500 ​± ​4,350,169.

PCD-CT has the potential to reduce the financial burden on healthcare systems and procedure-related complications for stable chest pain patients with coronary calcification when compared to EID-CT.

Over the last 30 years, the widespread use of cardiac biomarkers has transformed the diagnostic evaluation of patients with coronary heart disease. Cardiac troponin is integral to the definition of acute myocardial infarction. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) assays can improve risk stratification to facilitate both the rapid rule out of myocardial infarction and prediction of future cardiovascular events. Numerous circulating biomarkers representing different pathological pathways improve prediction of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). In parallel, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has become the most widely used imaging modality for the evaluation of patients with possible angina. CCTA now allows for the quantification of coronary calcification, atherosclerotic plaque volume and different plaque characteristics, enabling the identification high-risk features and inflammation. In the future, the use of CCTA is likely to extend to risk stratification for the prevention of ACVD. As such, how to integrate these diagnostic and prognostic circulating and imaging biomarkers is a topic of considerable interest. This review aims to describe current status and future possibilities for the integration of CCTA and cardiac biomarker testing to improve the identification and treatment of individuals with coronary heart disease and heightened cardiovascular risk.

This study proposed noninvasive machine-learning models for the detection of lesion-specific ischemia (LSI) in patients with stable angina with intermediate stenosis severity based on coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography. This single-center retrospective study analyzed 76 patients (99 vessels) with stable angina who underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and had intermediate stenosis severity (40-69%) on invasive coronary angiography. LSI, defined as a resting full-cycle ratio < 0.86 or fractional flow reserve ≤ 0.80, was determined in 40 patients (46 vessels) using a hybrid resting full-cycle ratio-fractional flow reserve strategy. The resting full-cycle ratio and/or fractional flow reserve were measured using invasive coronary angiography as references for functional severity indices of coronary stenosis in the machine-learning models. LSI detection models were constructed using noninvasive machine-learning models that predicted the resting full-cycle ratio and fractional flow reserve by feeding machine-learning models with image features extracted from CCTA. The diagnostic performance of the proposed LSI detection models was assessed using a nested 10-fold cross-validation test. The LSI detection models with the highest diagnostic performance achieved an accuracy of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.94), sensitivity of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.86) and specificity of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92, 1.00) on a vessel basis and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.95), 0.80 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.86) and 0.97 (95% CI: 0.92, 1.00), respectively, on a patient basis. These findings suggest that LSI detection models with features extracted from CCTA can noninvasively detect LSI in patients with stable angina with intermediate stenosis severity.

Evaluation of pericoronary adipose tissue changes induced by inflammation by non-invasive techniques is challenging.

To find the association between pericoronary adipose tissue attenuation (FAI) changes and future acute coronary events in nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

Ours was a single-centre, prospective observational study on patients with atypical chest pain who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). In patients with CADRADS 1 to 3 nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), pericoronary FAI was measured around the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) and coronary artery segment with plaque using semi-automated postprocessing software. Patients were followed up for development of acute coronary events (ACE). Kaplan-Meier curves were used to see event-free survival rates.

Of 120 patients with a mean follow-up period of 67 months, 21 patients developed acute coronary events. RCA-FAI and lesion FAI of patients with ACE were significantly higher as compared to patients without events. ROC curve analysis showed RCA-FAI as the best predictor of ACE at a cut-off point of > -77.3 Hounsfield unit (HU) (with an AUC of 0.915) with high sensitivity (95.24%), specificity (83.84%), and negative predictive value (98.80%). On multivariate analysis, RCA-FAI, diabetes mellitus, and stenosis ≥50% were independent risk factors of ACE with hazard ratios of 1.335 (1.173-1.518), 4.950 (1.716-14.278), and 7.446 (2.257-24.566), respectively.

RCA FAI can predict ACE in nonobstructive coronary artery disease patients. Detection of high RCA FAI of > -77.3 HU on CCTA can help to identify high-risk patients who need regular follow-up and early initiation of interventions.

Cardiovascular diseases are some of the underlying reasons contributing to the relentless rise in mortality rates across the globe. In this regard, there is a genuine need to integrate advanced technologies into the medical realm to detect such diseases accurately. Moreover, numerous academic studies have been published using AI-based methodologies because of their enhanced accuracy in detecting heart conditions. This research extensively delineates the different heart conditions, e.g., coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, mitral valve prolapse/mitral regurgitation, and myocardial infarction, and their underlying reasons and symptoms and subsequently introduces AI-based detection methodologies for precisely classifying such diseases. The review shows that the incorporation of artificial intelligence in detecting heart diseases exhibits enhanced accuracies along with a plethora of other benefits, like improved diagnostic accuracy, early detection and prevention, reduction in diagnostic errors, faster diagnosis, personalized treatment schedules, optimized monitoring and predictive analysis, improved efficiency, and scalability. Furthermore, the review also indicates the conspicuous disparities between the results generated by previous algorithms and the latest ones, paving the way for medical researchers to ascertain the accuracy of these results through comparative analysis with the practical conditions of patients. In conclusion, AI in heart disease detection holds paramount significance and transformative potential to greatly enhance patient outcomes, mitigate healthcare expenditure, and amplify the speed of diagnosis.

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is well established for the diagnostic evaluation and prognostication of coronary artery disease (CAD). The growing burden of CAD in Asia and the emergence of novel CT-based risk markers highlight the need for an automated platform that integrates patient data with CCTA findings to provide tailored, accurate cardiovascular risk assessments. This study aims to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven platform for CAD assessment using CCTA in Singapore's multiethnic population. We will conduct a hybrid retrospective-prospective recruitment of patients who have undergone CCTA as part of the diagnostic workup for CAD, along with prospective follow-up for clinical endpoints. CCTA images will be analysed locally and by a core lab for coronary stenosis grading, Agatston scoring, epicardial adipose tissue evaluation and plaque analysis. The images and analyses will also be uploaded to an AI platform for deidentification, integration and automated reporting, generating precision AI toolkits for each parameter.

CCTA images and baseline characteristics have been collected and verified for 4196 recruited patients, comprising 75% Chinese, 6% Malay, 10% Indian and 9% from other ethnic groups. Among the participants, 41% are female, with a mean age of 55±11 years. Additionally, 41% have hypertension, 51% have dyslipidaemia, 15% have diabetes and 22% have a history of smoking.

The cohort data have been used to develop four AI modules for training, testing and validation. During the development process, data preprocessing standardised the format, resolution and other relevant attributes of the images.

We will conduct prospective follow-up on the cohort to track clinical endpoints, including cardiovascular events, hospitalisations and mortality. Additionally, we will monitor the long-term impact of the AI-driven platform on patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

NCT05509010.

Acute chest pain (ACP) is a frequent cause of Emergency Department (ED) admissions, with millions of cases reported globally each year. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial due to the wide range of underlying causes, such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS), pulmonary embolism (PE), aortic dissection, and others. Misdiagnosis can lead to missed life-saving interventions or, alternatively, unnecessary hospitalizations, escalating healthcare costs. While risk stratification tools like the HEART, GRACE, and TIMI scores are useful, additional imaging is often required to achieve diagnostic precision. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has shown significant potential in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and improving patient outcomes. In this review, we explore the challenges physicians encounter when evaluating ACP in the ED, emphasizing the utility of CCTA as a key diagnostic tool. Additionally, we present a clinical case that illustrates how CT scan effectively aids in diagnosing patients with ambiguous symptoms, with CT imaging playing a pivotal role in identifying the underlying pathology.

The impact of sex-related factors on current clinical management and outcomes of chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) are unclear.

All patients belonging to the prospective, nationwide START registry were included. Their baseline characteristics, diagnostic workup, revascularization strategy, pharmacological treatment and 1-year clinical outcomes were compared with respect to sex overall and in age tertiles.

A total of 5070 consecutive patients were included. Most patients were males (80.1%). As expected, the prevalence of females increased with age. Distribution of risk factors and history of cardiovascular disease were different depending on sex, as well as diagnostic workup, with lower use of exercise stress testing in women (25.1% vs. 36.7%, P < 0.0001). The use of coronary angiography was similar in the two groups. Women had lower rates of multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) (33.0% vs. 40.6% P < 0.0001) and higher rates of nonobstructive CAD (18.3% vs. 11.3%, P < 0.0001). Rates of myocardial revascularization were similar, but women were more likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention than men (84.3% vs. 77.8%, P < 0.0001) and less likely to receive surgical/hybrid revascularization (10.0% vs. 15.1%, P < 0.0001). At 12-month follow-up, no differences were observed for the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality, re-hospitalization for myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke or myocardial revascularization between males and females; however, a significantly worse perceived quality of life was observed in women.

In a large nationwide cohort of patients with CCS, clinical outcomes were not different depending on sex. However, several differences in the diagnostic work-up, treatment strategies and quality of life were found between sexes.