Jeff Smit

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy I believe journal clubs with your mentors on a regular basis can help you a lot. Also, to have scheduled appointments with your mentors to discuss your progress is helpful. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@Anumaliiii @venkmurthy @ZainabASamad I received lots of helpful feedback from all partners who participated in the #SMARTool project. #CircImgJC @SMARToolProject

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy Your own motivation is very important when working on a research project. However, it is at least equally important to have good mentors, a nice research group and the availability of a solid research structure. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy The effect of statin use and intensive control of cardiovascular risk factors on coronary plaque progression and its relationship to clinical outcome still has to be investigated. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@venkmurthy @ZainabASamad @AnumSaeedMD @SMARToolProject @farhad_awais This is a representative case showing the impact of statin use on coronary artery disease progression. Although initially no coronary calcification was present at quantitative
CTA analysis, extensive calcification had occurred after 8 y of follow-up. #CircImgJC @SMARToolProject

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy @Anumaliiii In addition, our study findings could yield the need for intensified preventive treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension to slow and stabilize CAD progression and improve clinical outcome. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy @Anumaliiii The increase in coronary calcification in statin users may represent a healing mechanism of statins, whereby coronary plaques become increasingly stabilized through calcification of the necrotic core. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy @AnumSaeedMD @SMARToolProject @farhad_awais However, the number of patients included was relatively low. Also, statin use at baseline and follow-up visits was used to define statin users, but no information was available on possible changes in statin treatment during the interscan period. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy @AnumSaeedMD @SMARToolProject @farhad_awais In our study, patients were prospectively included to undergo a follow-up coronary CTA. Moreover, our study represents the longest interscan period to date for a serial coronary CTA study. #CircImgJC @SMARToolProject

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy @AnumSaeedMD We were able to include patients to undergo a 2nd coronary CTA from 2 prior studies (ARTreat and EVINCI trials). Compared to patients included in ICA or IVUS studies, our cohort is a relatively low-risk patient population. #CircImgJC @SMARToolProject

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy The finding that non-calcified plaques are more prone to rupture while calcified plaques are known for their stability was of our interest. To link statin use and clinical patient characteristics to plaque morphology could improve our understanding of CAD progression. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@venkmurthy @ZainabASamad @MBittencourtMD @ericjvelazquez @AnumSaeedMD @DrAnumMinhas @ErinMichos We believe that statin use plays an important role here. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy @MBittencourtMD @ericjvelazquez @AnumSaeedMD @DrAnumMinhas @ErinMichos @SaeedYawer @iamritu We think #exercise and #diet could have affected the results. For example, patients with a more healthy diet have lower glucose levels and tension and this could result in altered plaque progression. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy @MBittencourtMD @ericjvelazquez @AnumSaeedMD @DrAnumMinhas @ErinMichos Probably, the calcifying effect of statins represents a healing mechanism, whereby non-calcified plaques get more stabilized (or in other words, calcified). #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@venkmurthy @ZainabASamad @MBittencourtMD @ericjvelazquez Patients with diabetes probably already have more extensive CAD at baseline, so there is more non-calcified plaque to get calcified at long-term FU. #CircImgJC

[Jeff Smit @JeffSmit10]

@ZainabASamad @venkmurthy @MBittencourtMD @ericjvelazquez In our serial coronary CTA study, we showed that statin use was associated with an increased progression of calcified coronary plaque and a reduced progression of non-calcified coronary plaque. #CircImgJC