The GRACE score constitutes a useful tool for risk stratification in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), while the SYNTAX score determines the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD). This study sought to correlate these scores and assess the accuracy of the GRACE score in predicting the extent of CAD. A total of 539 patients with ACS undergoing coronary angiography were included in this analysis. The patients were classified into those with a SYNTAX score < 33 and a SYNTAX score ≥ 33. Spearman’s correlation and receiver operator characteristic analysis were conducted to investigate the role of the GRACE score as a predictor of the SYNTAX score. There was a significantly positive correlation between the SYNTAX and the GRACE scores (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). The GRACE score predicted severe CAD (SYNTAX ≥ 33) moderately well (the area under the curve was 0.595 (0.522–0.667)). A GRACE score of 126 was documented as the optimal cut-off for the prediction of a SYNTAX score ≥ 33 (sensitivity = 53.5% and specificity = 66%). Therefore, our study reports a significantly positive correlation between the GRACE and the SYNTAX score in patients with ACS. Notably, NSTEMI patients with a high-risk coronary anatomy have higher calculated GRACE scores. A multidisciplinary approach by a heart team could possibly alter the therapeutic approach and management in patients presenting with ACS and a high calculated GRACE score.

The increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in adults with congenital heart disease raises significant questions regarding its management. The unique underlying anatomic and physiological background further adds to the difficulty in eliminating the AF burden in these patients. Herein, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the pathophysiology and risk factors for AF in adult congenital heart disease, with a special focus on the existing challenges in AF ablation. Emerging imaging modalities and ablation techniques might have a role to play. Evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of AF ablation in adult congenital heart disease is summarized, especially for patients with an atrial septal defect, Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve, tetralogy of Fallot, and Fontan circulation. Finally, any remaining gaps in knowledge and potential areas of future research are highlighted.

Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a promising novel medical imaging modality that allows for non-destructive volumetric imaging of surgical tissue specimens at high spatial resolution. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the clinical applications of micro-CT for the tissue-based diagnosis of lung diseases. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews, aiming to include every clinical study reporting on micro-CT imaging of human lung tissues. A literature search yielded 570 candidate articles, out of which 37 were finally included in the review. Of the selected studies, 9 studies explored via micro-CT imaging the morphology and anatomy of normal human lung tissue; 21 studies investigated microanatomic pulmonary alterations due to obstructive or restrictive lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis; and 7 studies examined the utility of micro-CT imaging in assessing lung cancer lesions (n = 4) or in transplantation-related pulmonary alterations (n = 3). The selected studies reported that micro-CT could successfully detect several lung diseases providing three-dimensional images of greater detail and resolution than routine optical slide microscopy, and could additionally provide valuable volumetric insight in both restrictive and obstructive lung diseases. In conclusion, micro-CT-based volumetric measurements and qualitative evaluations of pulmonary tissue structures can be utilized for the clinical management of a variety of lung diseases. With micro-CT devices becoming more accessible, the technology has the potential to establish itself as a core diagnostic imaging modality in pathology and to enable integrated histopathologic and radiologic assessment of lung cancer and other lung diseases.

The prognostic value of health status metrics in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) and atrial arrhythmias is unclear. In this retrospective cohort study of an ongoing national, multicenter registry (PROTECT-AR, NCT03854149), ACHD patients with atrial arrhythmias on apixaban are included. At baseline, health metrics were assessed using the physical component summary (PCS), the mental component summary (MCS) of the Short-Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey, and the modified European Heart Rhythm Association (mEHRA) score. Patients were divided into groups according to their SF-36 PCS and MCS scores, using the normalized population mean of 50 on the PCS and MCS as a threshold. The primary outcome was the composite of mortality from any cause, major thromboembolic events, major/clinically relevant non-major bleedings, or hospitalizations. Multivariable Cox-regression analyses using clinically relevant parameters (age greater than 60 years, anatomic complexity, ejection fraction of the systemic ventricle, and CHA₂DS₂-VASc and HAS-BLED scores) were performed to examine the association of health metrics with the composite outcome. Over a median follow-up period of 20 months, the composite outcome occurred in 50 of 158 (32%) patients. The risk of the outcome was significantly higher in patients with SF-36 PCS ≤ 50 compared with those with PCS > 50 (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–3.84; p = 0.04) after adjusting for possible confounders. The SF-36 MCS ≤ 50 was not associated with the outcome. The mEHRA score was incrementally associated with a higher risk of the composite outcome (aHR = 1.44 per 1 unit increase in score; 95% CI, 1.03–2.00; p = 0.03) in multivariable analysis. In ACHD patients with atrial arrhythmias, the SF-36 PCS ≤ 50 and mEHRA scores predicted an increased risk of adverse events.

Background/Objectives: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) presents challenges, specifically in the context of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and has been associated with adverse events, particularly in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The objective of the present study was to assess whether CAE is associated with increased occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with AMI. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies were conducted. We systematically searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov, and reference lists to identify eligible studies. Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, angiographic data, and rates of MACEs and their individual components (all-cause or cardiovascular mortality, repeat AMI, repeat revascularization, stroke, and heart failure) have been extracted. The results were synthesized as odds ratios (ORs) using random-effects models. Results: Ten studies and 13,908 patients were included. CAE was found to be predictive of higher odds of MACEs [OR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.34 to 3.36]. No difference was found regarding the odds of all-cause and cardiac death. The presence of ectasia was associated with higher odds of recurrent AMI, compared with controls [OR: 2.76, 95% CI:1.62 to 4.71]. The groups were comparable regarding the need for repeat revascularization, while the reports on stroke and heart failure were scarce. Conclusions: The results highlight the compounding effect of CAE on future MACE events in patients with AMI. Patients with AMI and CAE have higher odds of repeat AMI compared to patients without CAE, while mortality and repeat revascularization rates are similar. This might indicate the need for more aggressive treatment strategies in these patients.