Abstract 4146119: Coronary fistula as a rare etiology of refractory angina in elderly

Circulation, Volume 150, Issue Suppl_1, Page A4146119-A4146119, November 12, 2024. Introduction:Refractory angina (RA) is a challenging and debilitating condition in the presence of myocardial ischemia regardless of a combination of antianginal drugs and revascularization procedures. Among the phenotypes of RA, there is angina in the absence of obstructive coronary disease (ANOCA). Coronary artery fistulas (CAF) are rare connections between coronary arteries and heart chambers or vessels. 3% of CAF drain into the left ventricle (LV), which can lead to the coronary steal phenomenon and angina in the form of ANOCA. We report here under a case of symptomatic chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and CAF.Case Report:An 85-year-old woman with CCS had angina progression, reaching functional class 3 and frequent need of nitrate use, despite the use of three antianginal drugs. Stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy showed reversible hypoperfusion in the lateral, inferolateral and inferior LV walls. A coronary angiogram was performed, revealing the absence of obstructions. However, CAF for the LV was identified around the ischemic territory. It was decided to start our Alopurinol protocol for RA. A treadmill test was done before and after the treatment to assess time to angina occurrence and ST segment change. After 3 months, there were an improvement in the threshold and intensity of angina (class 2) and reduction in nitrate need. In a new scintigraphy, normalization of perfusion was observed, and a new treadmill test showed reduction of 4.1 minutes for angina occurrence with an increase of 1.7 mets and no difference in ST change.Discussion:CAF are rare, identified in up to 0.2% of angiograms. They can lead to heart failure (HF), myocardial ischemia and arrhythmias. Treatment is based on the clinic, the patient’s age and the hemodynamic significance of the CAF. For adults, one of the indications for CAF occlusion is the presence of myocardial ischemia. However, the association between RA and CAF is rarely described in the literature. In the present report, we illustrate the case of an octogenarian with RA, ANOCA and FAC who, before considering interventional treatment, underwent medical optimization with excellent response and improvement in cardiac perfusion and exercise tolerance.Conclusion:In the scenario of RA and ANOCA, a combination of different antianginal drugs can promote symptoms control and improvement of myocardial perfusion and exercise performance, even in the face of uncommon causes such as the one here reported.

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Novembre 2024

Efficacy and mechanism of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for angina severity in patients with chronic coronary syndromes: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Introduction
Stimulating acupoints is beneficial for improving heart health but the clinical efficacy of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) as a complementary therapy for chronic coronary syndromes (CCSs) remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate whether TEAS can alleviate angina severity in patients with CCS and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying TEAS.

Methods and analysis
This study, conducted across two clinical centres, involved 90 participants distributed equally into three groups via simple randomisation (1:1:1 ratio). The research cycle was 28 weeks including a 4-week baseline, 12-week treatment and 12-week follow-up period. All groups will receive basic treatment with the TEAS group additionally receiving 36 sessions of TEAS stimulation over the 12 weeks. The two control groups will either undergo sham TEAS or no additional intervention alongside their basic treatment. The primary outcome is the 6-minute walk test; eight other indicators will serve as secondary outcomes.

Ethics and dissemination
Approval for this study was granted by the Medical Research Ethics Committee of the Third Clinical Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine in May 2023. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number
ChiCTR2400079383.

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Ottobre 2024