Widmer, R. Jay

Background Women with non‐obstructive coronary artery disease have increased cardiovascular morbidity. The role of risk factors in this population has yet to be established. We aimed to study the predictive effect of triglycerides and the triglyceride/high‐density lipoprotein ratio on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with non‐obstructive coronary artery disease, and to explore the role of lipid lowering therapy in modifying this risk. Methods and Results This is a prospective cohort study enrolling patients with anginal symptoms referred to the cardiac catheterization laboratory for suspected ischemia, who were subsequently diagnosed with non‐obstructive coronary artery disease, defined as no stenosis >20% on angiography. All patients had baseline laboratory testing and were followed for 7.8±4.3 years for the development of major adverse cardiovascular events. We performed Cox proportional hazard testing to determine the effect of triglycerides on risk of major adverse cardiovascular events among men and women by baseline statin use. A total of 462 patients were included. Median age was 53 (Q1, Q3: 45, 62) years. In a Cox proportional hazard model stratified by statin use adjusting for confounders, among those not on baseline statins, triglycerides were independently predictive of major adverse cardiovascular events in women (per 50 mg/dL risk ratio: hazard ratio 1.25 [95% CI : 1.06, 1.47]; P =0.01). This was not true among men. The interaction between triglycerides and sex, and triglycerides and statin was statistically significant. Conclusions Triglyceride levels may play a key role in predicting cardiovascular‐specific risk in women, and statin use may be protective. Further investigation is necessary to better delineate the role of statin use in preventing cardiovascular risk.

AbstractFibrosing mediastinitis is a rare, often debilitating and potentially lethal disease characterized by an exuberant fibroinflammatory response within the mediastinum. Patients typically present with insidious symptoms related to compression of adjacent structures including the esophagus, heart, airways, and cardiac vessels. Fibrosing mediastinitis is most often triggered by Histoplasmosis infection; however, antifungal and anti‐inflammatory therapies are largely ineffective. While structural interventions aimed at alleviating obstruction can provide significant palliation, surgical interventions are challenging with high mortality and clinical experience with percutaneous interventions is limited. Here, we will review the presentation, natural history, and treatment of fibrosing mediastinitis, placing particular emphasis on catheter‐based therapies.

Abstract Mental and physical stress is thought to play an important causative factor in apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) likely secondary to the vasomotor dysfunction. However, there are currently few data related to the impact of physical stress in this unique cardiomyopathy. A total 18 patients, including 8 females with history of ABS and 10 post-menopausal controls, underwent physical and mental tests. Assessments included the pain-induced peripheral artery tonometry scores (PIPATs) and mental stress peripheral artery tonometry scores (PATs). Compared with control group, PIPATs were significantly attenuated in patients with ABS in both baseline and post-mental stress (0.94 ± 0.08 vs1.30 ± 0.54, P <.05 and 0.87 ± 0.19 vs1.24 ± 0.21 P = .01, respectively); mental stress PATs were significantly lower in patients with ABS, both in Stroop test (0.79 ± 0.30 vs 1.24 ± 0.43, P = .01) and arithmetic test (0.91 ± 0.27 vs 1.36 ± 0.57, P = .01). PIPATs correlated significantly with mental stress PATs, both in arithmetic and Stroop test (P <.05). The PIPATs were attenuated in female with history of ABS and the vascular response to pain may provide a different pathogenesis mechanism on detecting patients with ABS.

Background: The frequency of pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) after ablation for atrial fibrillation has decreased, but it remains a highly morbid condition. Although treatment strategies including pulmonary vein dilation and stenting have been described, the long-term impacts of these interventions are unknown. We evaluated the presentation of severe PVS, and examined the risk for restenosis after intervention using either balloon angioplasty (BA) alone or BA with stenting. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of 124 patients with severe PVS evaluated between 2000 and 2014. Results: All 124 patients were identified as having severe PVS by computed tomography in 219 veins. One hundred two patients (82%) were symptomatic at diagnosis. The most common symptoms were dyspnea (67%), cough (45%), fatigue (45%), and decreased exercise tolerance (45%). Twenty-seven percent of patients experienced hemoptysis. Ninety-two veins were treated with BA, 86 were treated with stenting, and 41 veins were not treated. A 94% acute procedural success rate was observed and did not differ by initial management. Major procedural complications occurred in 4 of the 113 patients (3.5%) who underwent invasive assessment, and minor complications occurred in 15 patients (13.3%). Overall, 42% of veins developed restenosis including 27% of veins (n=23) treated with stenting and 57% of veins (n=52) treated with BA. The 3-year overall rate of restenosis was 37%, with 49% of BA-treated veins and 25% of stented veins developing restenosis (hazard ratio, 2.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.72–4.45; P <0.001). After adjustment for age, CHA2DS2-VASc score, hypertension, and the time period of the study, there was still a significant difference in the risk of restenosis for BA versus stenting (hazard ratio, 2.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.47–4.12; P <0.001). Conclusions: The diagnosis of PVS is challenging because of nonspecific symptoms and the need for dedicated pulmonary vein imaging. There is no difference in acute success by type of initial intervention; however, stenting significantly reduces the risk of subsequent pulmonary vein restenosis in comparison with BA.