Saima Mushtaq

Dr. Saima Mushtaq

IRCCS Centro Cardiologico Monzino, Milan, Italy

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

18Years (2009-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 November 2016 in JACC
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DADaniele Andreini
Daniele Andreini
Gianluca PontoneGianluca Pontone
Gianluca Pontone
JBJan Bogaert
Jan Bogaert
ARAlberto Roghi
Alberto Roghi
Andrea BarisonAndrea Barison
Andrea Barison
PMPier Giorgio Masci
Pier Giorgio Masci

1 July 2009 in JACC
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Gianluca PontoneGianluca Pontone
Gianluca Pontone
DADaniele Andreini
Daniele Andreini
ABAntonio L. Bartorelli
Antonio L. Bartorelli
SCSarah Cortinovis
Sarah Cortinovis
SMSaima Mushtaq
Saima Mushtaq
MPMauro Pepi
Mauro Pepi

1 June 2018 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RSRolf Symons
Rolf Symons
Gianluca PontoneGianluca Pontone
Gianluca Pontone
JSJuerg Schwitter
Juerg Schwitter
MFMarco Francone
Marco Francone
JIJuan Fernando Iglesias
Juan Fernando Iglesias
PMPier Giorgio Masci
Pier Giorgio Masci

1 February 2019 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Gianluca PontoneGianluca Pontone
Gianluca Pontone
DADaniele Andreini
Daniele Andreini
AGAndrea I. Guaricci
Andrea I. Guaricci
Andrea BaggianoAndrea Baggiano
Andrea Baggiano
FFFabio Fazzari
Fabio Fazzari
MPMauro Pepi
Mauro Pepi

21 November 2023 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GNGianluigi Napoli
Gianluigi Napoli
VALERIA PERGOLAVALERIA PERGOLA
VALERIA PERGOLA
PBPaolo Basile
Paolo Basile
DFDaniele De Feo
Daniele De Feo
FBFulvio Bertrandino
Fulvio Bertrandino
Andrea Igoren GuaricciAndrea Igoren Guaricci
Andrea Igoren Guaricci
Vascular inflammation is recognized as the primary trigger of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, current noninvasive methods are not capable of accurately detecting coronary inflammation. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and pericoronary adipose tissue (PCAT), in addition to their role as an energy reserve system, have been found to contribute to the development and progression of coronary artery calcification, inflammation, and plaque vulnerability. They also participate in the vascular response during ischemia, sympathetic stimuli, and arrhythmia. As a result, the evaluation of EAT and PCAT using imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and nuclear imaging has gained significant attention. PCAT-CT attenuation, which measures the average CT attenuation in Hounsfield units (HU) of the adipose tissue, reflects adipocyte differentiation/size and leukocyte infiltration. It is emerging as a marker of tissue inflammation and has shown prognostic value in coronary artery disease (CAD), being associated with plaque development, vulnerability, and rupture. In patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), an inflammatory pericoronary microenvironment promoted by dysfunctional EAT/PCAT has been demonstrated, and more recently, it has been associated with plaque rupture in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Endothelial dysfunction, known for its detrimental effects on coronary vessels and its association with plaque progression, is bidirectionally linked to PCAT. PCAT modulates the secretory profile of endothelial cells in response to inflammation and also plays a crucial role in regulating vascular tone in the coronary district. Consequently, dysregulated PCAT has been hypothesized to contribute to type 2 myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and coronary vasculitis. Recently, quantitative measures of EAT derived from coronary CT angiography (CCTA) have been included in artificial intelligence (AI) models for cardiovascular risk stratification. These models have shown incremental utility in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) compared to plaque characteristics alone. Therefore, the analysis of PCAT and EAT, particularly through PCAT-CT attenuation, appears to be a safe, valuable, and sufficiently specific noninvasive method for accurately identifying coronary inflammation and subsequent high-risk plaque. These findings are supported by biopsy and in vivo evidence. Although speculative, these pieces of evidence open the door for a fascinating new strategy in cardiovascular risk stratification. The incorporation of PCAT and EAT analysis, mainly through PCAT-CT attenuation, could potentially lead to improved risk stratification and guide early targeted primary prevention and intensive secondary prevention in patients at higher risk of cardiac events.

1 June 2011 in American Heart Journal
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Gianluca PontoneGianluca Pontone
Gianluca Pontone
DADaniele Andreini
Daniele Andreini
ABAntonio L. Bartorelli
Antonio L. Bartorelli
AAAndrea Daniele Annoni
Andrea Daniele Annoni
SMSaima Mushtaq
Saima Mushtaq
MPMauro Pepi
Mauro Pepi