Angiographically evident thrombus following fibrinolytic therapy is associated with impaired myocardial perfusion in STEMI: a CLARITY-TIMI 28 substudy.

AIMS: The presence of residual thrombus following fibrinolytic therapy for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may predispose to greater embolization and microvascular dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We hypothesized that even in the presence of a patent epicardial artery, residual thrombus would be associated with worsened TIMI myocardial perfusion grades (TMPG), independent of epicardial flow. Data were analysed from the angiograms of 2684 patients enrolled in the CLARITY-TIMI 28 trial, with angiographically patent arteries (TIMI 2/3 flow) at a median of 88 h following fibrinolytic therapy. Thrombus in a patent epicardial artery was observed more frequently among patients with shorter times from randomization to angiography, among patients with non-left anterior descending infarctions, and among patients treated with placebo (vs. clopidogrel). Thrombus was associated with more frequent TIMI 2 flow (35.1 vs. 22.1%, P < 0.001), higher corrected TIMI frame counts (CTFC) (42 vs. 33 frames, P < 0.001), and a lower incidence of normal TMPG 3 (48.7 vs. 63.9%, P < 0.001), irrespective of treatment with clopidogrel or placebo. In multivariable analyses, thrombus remained associated with higher CTFC (P < 0.001) and worse TMPG (OR 1.6 for TMPG 0/1/2, P < 0.001) after adjustment for baseline covariates as well as known correlates of TMPG. The association between thrombus and impaired TMPG remained even after further adjustment for CTFC or TIMI flow grade. CONCLUSION: Residual angiographic thrombus following fibrinolytic therapy in STEMI patients is associated with impaired myocardial perfusion, independent of epicardial flow. This finding emphasizes the roles of platelet aggregation and distal embolization in the pathogenesis of microvascular dysfunction in STEMI.     

Angiographic and clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary interventions following combined fibrinolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION: Combined therapy with fibrinolytic agent and platelet GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor not followed by an interventional procedure does not improve prognosis in patients presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when compared to fibrinolysis alone. On the other hand, in the past percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) performed after fibrinolysis were associated with low angiographic efficacy, a high risk of bleeding and a high rate of early cardiovascular events. Aim: Evaluation of angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI treated with PCI following combined fibrinolytic therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Complete angiographic and clinical data of 187 patients who underwent PCI immediately after combined fibrinolytic therapy were obtained from a survey of 669 consecutive patients with STEMI <12 hours, at age <75 years, without cardiogenic shock, who were transferred from regional hospitals to the catheterisation laboratory within 90 minutes and after the initiation of combined fibrinolytic therapy (alteplase 15 mg iv as a bolus followed by an infusion of 35 mg over 60 minutes; abciximab iv bolus of 0.25 mg/kg followed by a 12 h infusion of 0.125 microg/kg per minute; unfractionated heparin). At baseline angiographic examination revealed no flow (TIMI 0+1) in the infarct-related artery in 17.1% of patients, impaired flow (TIMI 2) in 17.1% and normal (TIMI 3) in 65.8% of cases. After immediate PCI, a significant improvement in epicardial perfusion (TIMI 2+3, 99.5%) and in microcirculation was achieved. This favourable effect was seen only in the group of patients with baseline TIMI 0+1 flow, whereas PCI in the group with baseline TIMI 3 flow did not cause any further improvement in microcirculatory perfusion. The rate of cardiovascular events within the first 30 days and 12 months after the procedures were similar in the studied subgroup of patients. CONCLUSIONS: PCI performed after combined fibrinolytic therapy in STEMI patients is associated with high efficacy and improvement in indices of epicardial perfusion and microcirculation. These benefits are confined mainly to patients with primarily impaired flow in the infarction-related artery (TIMI 0+1). However, the clinical results of this strategy, particularly in patients undergoing PCI following successful combined fibrinolytic therapy, must still be proved in further randomised trials.     

Association of a negative residual stenosis following rescue/adjunctive percutaneous coronary intervention with impaired myocardial perfusion and adverse outcomes among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that <0% residual stenosis (RS) after rescue/adjunctive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following fibrinolytic administration in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) would be associated with improved outcomes. BACKGROUND: Prior studies have associated larger lumen diameters after PCI with reduced rates of restenosis and target vessel revascularization. METHODS: Data were drawn from 748 patients with open epicardial arteries and with optimal luminal results (RS <20%) following rescue/adjunctive PCI after fibrinolytic administration in six STEMI trials. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) <0% RS and 2) 0% to 20% RS. RESULTS: A RS <0% was associated with greater gains in lumen diameter and smaller reference diameters after PCI (p < 0.001 for each), with a trend toward less frequent Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade (TFG) 3. A RS <0% was associated with a greater incidence of abnormal post-PCI Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction myocardial perfusion grades (TMPGs) (odds ratio 2.6 [1.2 to 5.9] for TMPG 0/1/2, p = 0.02), even when the analysis was restricted to patients with post-PCI TFG 3. CONCLUSIONS: A RS <0% following rescue/adjunctive PCI after fibrinolytic therapy for STEMI was independently associated with a reduction in the frequency of normal myocardial perfusion. Potential mechanisms of this finding include greater downstream embolization, increased stimulation of arterial stretch receptors with resultant coronary vasoconstriction, and increased vessel-wall injury after PCI. These findings suggest that additional prospective studies are needed to assess optimal RS that minimizes long-term restenosis without adverse effects.     

Association of Epicardial and Tissue-Level Reperfusion with Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressures in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Unfavorable hemodynamics among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes and may be linked to a failure to achieve complete reperfusion. We hypothesized that impaired epicardial and tissue-level perfusion after fibrinolytic therapy would be associated with adverse hemodynamics. The relationship between left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), baseline clinical characteristics, and angiographic findings were examined in 666 patients with STEMI treated with fibrinolytic therapy from the TIMI 14, INTEGRITI (TIMI 20), ENTIRE (TIMI 23), and FASTER (TIMI 24) trials. LVEDP was analyzed as a dichotomous variable with an elevated LVEDP defined as LVEDP >18 mmHg (median value). Higher post-fibrinolytic LVEDP was associated with age > or = 65, female gender, Killip Class II-IV on presentation, and LAD culprit location. Elevated LVEDP was associated with both a closed infarct-related artery (58.8% of TIMI Flow Grade (TFG) 0/1 with elevated LVEDP vs. 46.6% of TFG 2/3, p = 0.03) and impaired myocardial perfusion (55.7% of TIMI Myocardial Perfusion Grade (TMPG) 0/1 with elevated LVEDP vs. 43.8% of TMPG 2/3, p = 0.02). In a multivariate analysis, impaired myocardial perfusion (OR 1.7, p = 0.02), abnormal Killip Class (OR 4.8, p = 0.001), age > or = 65 (OR 1.6, p = 0.04), and female gender (OR 1.9, p = 0.01) were independently associated with elevated LVEDP. Elevated LVEDP was independently associated with a greater incidence of in-hospital (OR 11.8, p = 0.02) and 30-day congestive heart failure (OR 4.4, p = 0.02). In STEMI, angiographic indices of incomplete reperfusion are associated with an elevated LVEDP, and elevated LVEDP is associated with adverse clinical outcomes.     

Relation of hyperemic epicardial flow to outcomes among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction receiving fibrinolytic therapy

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the restoration of normal epicardial flow following fibrinolytic administration is associated with improved clinical outcomes. The goal of this analysis was to examine the relation between hyperemic flow and outcomes following fibrinolytic administration for STEMI. In Clopidogrel as Adjunctive Reperfusion Therapy-Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction 28 (CLARITY-TIMI 28), patients with STEMI (n=3,491) treated with fibrinolytic therapy were scheduled to undergo angiography 48 to 192 hours after randomization. Corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) were assessed, and their associations with outcomes at 30 days were evaluated. When evaluating initial angiography of the infarct-related artery, there was a nearly linear relation between CTFC and 30-day mortality, with faster flow (lower CTFC) associated with improved outcomes. Conversely, in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), very fast flow (CTFC<14) after intervention was associated with worse outcomes. Post-PCI hyperemic flow (CTFC<14) was associated with a higher incidence of mortality (p=0.056), recurrent myocardial infarction (p=0.011), and a composite of death or myocardial infarction (p<0.001) compared with normal flow (CTFC 14 to 28). When post-PCI CTFC was further stratified by TMPG, there was a U-shaped relation between mortality and CTFC in patients with poor myocardial perfusion (TMPG 0 or 1). This relation appeared to be linear in patients with TMPG 2 or 3. In conclusion, in patients who undergo PCI after fibrinolytic therapy for STEMI, hyperemic flow on coronary angiography is associated with an increased incidence of adverse outcomes. Hyperemic flow with associated impaired myocardial perfusion may be a marker of more extensive downstream microembolization.     

Association of TIMI Myocardial Perfusion Grade and ST-segment resolution with cardiovascular magnetic resonance measures of microvascular obstruction and infarct size following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background Impairment of coronary microvascular perfusion is common among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can identify microvascular obstruction (MO) following reperfusion of STEMI. We hypothesized that myocardial perfusion, as assessed by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Myocardial Perfusion Grade (TMPG), would be associated with a CMR metric of MO in this population. Methods Twenty-one STEMI patients who underwent successful primary PCI were evaluated. Contrast-enhanced CMR was performed within 7 days of presentation and repeated at three months. TIMI Flow Grade (TFG), corrected TIMI Frame Count (cTFC), TMPG, MO, infarct size, and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were assessed. Results The median peak creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was 1,775 IU/l (interquartile range 838–3,321). TFG 3 was present following PCI in 19 (90%) patients. CMR evidence of MO was present in 52% following PCI. Abnormal post-PCI TMPG (0/1/2) was present in 48% of subjects and was associated with MO on CMR (90% MO with TMPG 0/1/2 vs. 18% MO with TMPG 3, P < 0.01). Abnormal post-PCI TMPG was also associated with a greater peak CK (median 3,623 IU/l vs. 838 IU/l, P < 0.001) and greater relative infarct size (17.3% vs. 5.2%, P < 0.01). Conclusion Among STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, post-PCI TMPG correlates with CMR measures of MO and infarct size. The combined use of both metrics in a comprehensive assessment of microvascular integrity and infarct size following STEMI may aid in the evaluation of future therapeutic strategies.     

Angiographic perfusion score in patients treated with PCI at late angiography following fibrinolytic administration for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is associated with morbidity and mortality at 30 days

Background  Among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), evidence of restoration of both normal epicardial arterial flow and myocardial perfusion early after the administration of fibrinolytic agents has been associated with improved clinical outcomes. In STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy and scheduled for angiography later during hospital admission, however, the association of later indices of flow and perfusion with clinical outcomes has not been assessed. Methods  Clopidogrel as Adjunctive Reperfusion Therapy-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (CLARITY-TIMI) 28 enrolled 3,491 STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy. Angiography was scheduled 48–192 h (median 84) after randomization. The Angiographic Perfusion Score (APS) (the sum of the TIMI Flow Grade and Myocardial Perfusion Grade before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), range of 0–12) was assessed in the 1,460 patients treated with PCI at late angiography, and its association with morbidity and mortality at 30 days was examined. Results  Full perfusion, defined as an APS of 10–12, was associated with the lowest mortality (0.8%), while partial perfusion (APS 4–9) (2.3%) and failed perfusion (APS 0–3) (18.0%) were associated with a higher incidence of mortality at 30 days (P < 0.001 for full perfusion vs. partial perfusion, P < 0.0001 for overall trend). In addition, full perfusion was associated with a lower incidence of recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), a composite of death and MI, recurrent myocardial ischemia, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, congestive heart failure and shock (P < 0.05 for all trends). Conclusion  Among STEMI patients treated with late PCI following fibrinolytic therapy, higher APS is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality.     

Impact of thrombus aspiration on angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BackgroundPrimary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may be limited by thrombus embolization. Export aspiration catheter (EAC) is a thrombectomy device which may enhance angiographic results, but its impact on clinical outcomes is unclear. This trial objective was to assess the impact of EAC on angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI.MethodsAll STEMI patients undergoing primary or rescue PCI in a tertiary care center were included. Patients were divided in two groups according to the use of the EAC. Patients were followed up prospectively for death, reinfarction, revascularization, or stroke. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow in the culprit vessel was assessed before and after PCI.ResultsIncluded in the analysis were 535 patients. EAC was used in 165 patients before angioplasty (Group 1) and 370 patients underwent PCI without thrombus aspiration (Group 2). More patients in Group 1 had initial TIMI flow 0–1 compared to Group 2 (88% vs. 62%, P<.001). Proportion of patients with a final TIMI flow 3 was the same in both groups (89.1% vs. 87.6% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively; P=.67). An analysis restricted to patients with initial TIMI flow 0–1 yielded similar results. No difference in clinical outcomes was observed between the two groups (P=.70).ConclusionsSelective use of the EAC based on the judgment of operators results in excellent angiographic and clinical results. Further clinical investigation is needed to definitely answer whether thromboaspiration needs to be performed in all STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.     

Association of duration of symptoms at presentation with angiographic and clinical outcomes after fibrinolytic therapy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine if an underlying mechanism of the association between prolonged symptom-to-treatment times and adverse outcomes may be an association of symptom-to-treatment times with impaired Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction myocardial perfusion grades (TMPGs). BACKGROUND: Prolonged symptom duration among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing fibrinolytic therapy is associated with adverse outcomes. METHODS: Angiography was performed 60 min after fibrinolytic administration in 3,845 Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) trial patients. RESULTS: The median time from symptom onset to treatment was longer among patients with impaired myocardial perfusion (3.0 h for TMPG 0/1 vs. 2.7 h for TMPG 2/3; p = 0.001). In a multivariate model, impaired tissue perfusion (TMPG 0/1) remained associated with increased time to treatment (odds ratio 1.14 per hour of delay; p = 0.007) even after adjusting for Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade (TFG) 3, left anterior descending infarct location, and baseline clinical characteristics. Impaired myocardial perfusion after rescue/adjunctive percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was associated with longer median times to treatment (3.0 h for TMPG 2/3 vs. 2.7 h for TMPG 0/1; p = 0.017), as was abnormal epicardial flow after rescue/adjunctive PCI (3.3 h for TFG 0/1/2 vs. 2.8 h for TFG 3; p = 0.005). Thirty-day mortality was associated with longer time from onset of symptoms to treatment (6.6% mortality for time to treatment >4 h vs. 3.3%; p < 0.001), even among patients undergoing rescue PCI. CONCLUSIONS: A prolonged symptom to treatment time among STEMI patients is associated with impaired myocardial perfusion independent of epicardial flow both immediately after fibrinolytic administration and after rescue/adjunctive PCI. These data provide a pathophysiologic link between prolonged symptoms due to vessel occlusion, impaired myocardial perfusion, and poor clinical outcomes.     

Age-related differences in treatment strategies and clinical outcomes in unselected cohort of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction transferred for primary angioplasty

Data concerning the benefits and risks of primary PCI in the elderly patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are limited. Thus, the objective of the study was to assess age-dependent differences in the treatment and outcomes of STEMI patients transferred for primary PCI. Data were gathered on 1,650 consecutive STEMI patients from hospital networks in seven countries of Europe from November 2005 to January 2007 (the EUROTRANSFER Registry population). Patients <65, 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and ≥ 85 years of age comprised 49.3, 27.5, 20.2, and 3 % of the registry population, respectively. Elderly patients were higher risk individuals and have experienced longer delays to reperfusion than their younger counterparts and were more likely to be treated conservatively after coronary angiography. Despite similar frequency of TIMI 3 flow before PCI, elderly patients were less likely to achieve TIMI 3 flow and ST-segment resolution >50 % after PCI, and were more likely to have PCI complications. The rates of death at 30 days, as well as at 1 year were increased with age. In the Cox regression analysis model age was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality. A trend toward higher risk of major bleeding requiring transfusion was observed. Age was an important determinant of treatment strategies selection and clinical outcomes in the group of consecutive STEMI patients transferred for primary PCI. Further efforts should be made to reduce delays and to optimize treatment of STEMI, regardless of patients' age.     

Relation of impaired Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction myocardial perfusion grades to residual thrombus following the restoration of epicardial patency in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Clinical and angiographic data were analyzed from 929 patients who had ST-elevation myocardial infarction and open epicardial arteries after fibrinolytic therapy. Residual angiographically evident thrombus was associated with more frequent Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 2 flow (33.6% vs 26.8%, p = 0.03), higher corrected TIMI frame counts (34 vs 31 frames, p = 0.0003), and lower TIMI myocardial perfusion grades (43.0% vs 32.0% TIMI myocardial perfusion grades 0/1, p = 0.001) among all patients and among patients who had TIMI grade 3 flow (33.5% vs 26.0% TIMI myocardial perfusion grades 0/1, p = 0.043). In multivariate analyses, angiographically evident thrombus was associated with higher corrected TIMI frame counts and worsened myocardial perfusion independent of clinical and angiographic covariates, including TIMI grade 3 flow.     

Reperfusion after primary angioplasty for ST-elevation myocardial infarction: predictors of success and relationship to clinical outcomes in the APEX-AMI angiographic study.

AIMS: We studied the clinical, demographic, and angiographic factors associated with successful reperfusion and the relationship between angiographic indices and clinical outcomes in a subset of the APEX-AMI trial, which tested the efficacy of pexelizumab in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 5745 patients enrolled in the trial, 1018 underwent independent quantitative angiographic evaluation by a core laboratory. Successful epicardial reperfusion was defined as TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) flow grade 3 or corrected TIMI frame count (cTFC) <28 frames, and successful myocardial reperfusion as TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) 2 or 3. TIMI 3 flow after PCI occurred in 85%, cTFC < 28 in 58% (mean cTFC was 27 +/- 20), and TMPG 2 or 3 in 91%. Overall 90 day clinical outcomes were 2.7% for mortality and 8.2% for the composite of death, congestive heart failure (CHF), or shock. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, TMPG 2/3 after PCI was associated with younger age [odds ratio (OR) for 10 year increase 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59-0.96, P = 0.023], pre-PCI TIMI flow 2/3 (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.7-7.1, P = 0.001), and ischaemic time [for every hour, OR 0.81 (0.69-0.96), P = 0.015]. TMPG 2/3 after PCI was significantly associated with 90 day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.26, 95% CI 0.09-0.78, P = 0.013). Neither post-PCI TMPG nor TIMI flow grade was significantly associated with 90 day death/CHF/shock. CONCLUSION: Younger age, patent infarct-related artery at presentation, and ischaemic time predicted higher likelihood of successful myocardial perfusion, which was associated with improved survival.     

Angiographic outcomes in STEMI patients receiving fibrinolysis with guideline directed optimal antithrombotic therapy

STEMI is a major public health problem requiring timely reperfusion. Fibrinolysis remains prevalent reperfusion strategy where timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cannot be performed. Adjunctive antithrombotic agents are of utmost importance for maximizing the benefit of fibrinolysis. This prospective study evaluates the angiographic outcomes in STEMI patients receiving fibrinolysis with optimal antithrombotic therapy and reported TIMI 3 flow rates of 33.8% and 41.5% for streptokinase and reteplase respectively, that were significantly higher than various prior studies. This data reiterates the utility of thrombolysis in resource limited settings.     

Successful thrombus extraction with the Rescue thrombus management system during acute percutaneous coronary intervention improves flow but does not necessarily restore optimal myocardial tissue perfusion.

We determined the effectiveness of the Rescue device in restoring flow and achieving optimal tissue perfusion during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in thrombus-laden coronary arteries. METHODS: A total of 30 patients with an acute coronary syndrome underwent PCI using the Rescue device. RESULTS: The mean age was 65.5 +/- 9.8 years. Although the Rescue device could not be passed across the lesion in 6 (20%) cases, debris was aspirated in 26 (87%). The uncorrected TIMI frame count improved following the use of the Rescue device and improved further at the completion of PCI (92.2 +/- 23.9 pre-PCI vs. 38.7 +/- 31.3 post-Rescue vs. 21.96 +/- 24 post-PCI, P < 0.0001). The thrombus score improved from 4 +/- 0 to 2.2 +/- 1.29 to 0.86 +/- 1.4 (P < 0.0001). TIMI flow grade (TFG) 3 was restored in 60% of cases following the Rescue device and in 87% after PCI. Myocardial blush grade 3 occurred in only 13% of patients following the Rescue device and 37% of patients after PCI. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the Rescue device can aspirate considerable amounts of debris in the majority of patients and significantly improves the angiographic epicardial coronary blood flow. How effective such a device is in improving tissue perfusion and, thereby, clinical outcomes for patients remains to be seen.     

Risk factors of acute myocardial infarction following primary percutaneous coronary intervention among elderly patients

Background and Objective Large randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） with the routine use of drug-eluting stents is safe and effective, however, the patients older than 75 years undergoing PCI are at increased risk for major adverse cardiac events, so that the patients are usually excluded from this trial. The aim of the present study was to assess the early clinical outcome and risk factors in old patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） following primary PCI. Methods We analyzed the outcome after stenting in 136 patients older than 60 years in our coronary care unit with acute STEMI, and the patients were further classified in 2 age groups： patients≥75 years and 〈75 years. Results Though the older group had a higher prevalence of adverse baseline characteristics and lower final TIMI flow than those of the younger, the procedural success had no difference between two groups. The main adverse clinical events （MACE） for the old group was a little higher comparing with the younger in 12-month following up. Conclusions Our study suggest that drug-eluting stent implantation in elderly patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction has high initial procedural success rates despite having more severe baseline risk characteristics, and to shorten the time form symptom onset to PCI and improve final TIMI flow strategy may decrease MACE among old patients following PCI（J Geriatr Cardio12009; 6：67-70）.     

Pretreatment with intragraft verapamil prior to percutaneous coronary intervention of saphenous vein graft lesions: results of the randomized,controlled vasodilator prevention on no-reflow (VAPOR) trial

BACKGROUND: Intragraft verapamil is effective in treating no-reflow during saphenous vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this study, we assessed the use of intragraft verapamil given pre-PCI to prevent no-reflow. METHODS: Patients undergoing SVG PCI were randomized to receive intragraft 200 g verapamil or no verapamil immediately prior to PCI. Pre- and post-PCI, vessel flow was assessed using TIMI flow grade and TIMI frame count by blinded angiographic readers. Tissue level perfusion in the graft territory was assessed using the TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG). CK-MB or troponin I levels were measured 6 12 hours post-PCI. RESULTS: Ten patients were randomized to the verapamil group and 12 were assigned to the placebo group. No-reflow occurred in 33.3% of the placebo group, compared to none of the verapamil patients (p = 0.10). The use of intragraft verapamil prior to SVG PCI increased flow rate in the vessel as assessed by TIMI frame count (53.3 22.4% faster in the verapamil group versus 11.5 38.9% in the placebo group; p = 0.016). There was a trend toward improved myocardial perfusion as assessed by TMPG. There was no difference in the incidence of cardiac biomarker release following PCI. CONCLUSIONS: Intragraft administration of verapamil prior to saphenous vein graft PCI reduces no-reflow and is associated with a trend toward improved myocardial perfusion.     

Impact of contrast agent type (ionic versus nonionic) used for coronary angiography on angiographic, electrocardiographic, and clinical outcomes following thrombolytic administration in acute myocardial infarction.

The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between contrast agent type (ionic vs. nonionic) and angiographic, electrocardiographic, and clinical outcomes after thrombolytic administration. Ionic or nonionic contrast agents were selected in a nonrandomized fashion for 90-min angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following thrombolytic administration in the TIMI 14 trial [tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) or reteplase (rPA) vs. low-dose lytic + abciximab]. There was no relationship between contrast agent type and overall patency, rate of TIMI grade 3 flow, or corrected TIMI frame counts (CTFCs) in open culprit arteries and in post-PCI patency rates or post-PCI CTFCs. In patients treated with ionic contrast, ejection fractions at 90 min were slightly but significantly lower (56.2 +/- 16.5, n = 122, vs. 59.8 +/- 14.4, n = 322; P = 0.02), chest pain duration was longer (2.8 +/- 4.1 hr, n = 255, vs. 1.7 +/- 3.6, n = 550; P = 0.0003), and complete ST segment resolution was less frequent (41.5% vs. 50.8%; P = 0.04). While there was no difference in epicardial blood flow, ionic contrast agent use was associated with poorer ST segment resolution, longer chest pain duration, and poorer ejection fractions, perhaps as a result of microvascular dysfunction.     

Angiographic and clinical characteristics associated with the development of Q-wave and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction in the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 14 trial

Background

In the absence of thrombolytic therapy, patients with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI) have previously been shown to have lower long-term mortality rates than patients with Q-wave MI. The goal of our study was to examine the angiographic and clinical differences between non-Q-wave MI and Q-wave MI in patients with ST elevation MI (STEMI) in the era of thrombolytic and combination therapy of thrombolytics plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors.

Methods

Angiography was performed 90 minutes after thrombolytic administration in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 14 trial. The development of a non-Q-wave MI was assessed on electrocardiogram performed at the time of hospital discharge. Angiographic findings were assessed at an angiographic core laboratory by blinded investigators.

Results

The qualifying episode of ST elevation developed into a non-Q-wave MI in 36% of patients (315/878) and into a Q-wave MI in 64% of patients (563/878). In patients in whom non-Q-wave MI developed, the rate of TIMI grade 3 flow was higher, peak creatine kinase level was lower, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was greater, corrected TIMI frame counts (CTFCs) were lower (ie, faster blood flow), and chest pain duration after thrombolytic administration was shorter. Patients in whom non-Q-wave MI developed less frequently underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and when they did, they had faster post-PCI CTFCs and higher rates of post-PCI TIMI grade 3 flow. Patients in whom a non-Q-wave MI developed had lower rates of severe recurrent ischemia. There were no differences in 30-day or in-hospital mortality rates or recurrent MI between patients with Q-wave MI and patients with non-Q-wave MI.

Conclusion

After thrombolytic therapy in STEMI with or without abciximab, ejection fractions were higher, the duration of ischemia was shorter, and coronary blood flow at both 90 minutes and after PCI was faster in patients who sustained non-Q-wave MI than in patients who sustained Q-wave MI. No differences in mortality or recurrent MI rates were detected in patients who sustained a Q-wave MI and patients in whom a Q-wave MI did not evolve in the modern thrombolytic era.     

Early coronary intervention following pharmacologic therapy for acute myocardial infarction (the combined TIMI 10B-TIMI 14 experience).

Earlier studies have suggested that immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with an increase in adverse events and that routine PCI in this setting has offered no advantage over a conservative strategy. To reassess this issue in a more recent era, we evaluated 1,938 patients from the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 10B and 14 trials of AMI. Patients in TIMI 10B were randomized to receive tissue plasminogen activator or TNK tissue plasminogen activator, whereas patients in TIMI 14B trial were randomized to receive thrombolytic therapy with or without abciximab. All patients underwent angiography 90 minutes after receiving pharmacologic therapy. Patients who underwent PCI were classified as having undergone a rescue procedure (TIMI 0 or 1 flow at 90 minutes), an adjunctive procedure (TIMI 2 or 3 flow at 90 minutes), or a delayed procedure (performed >150 minutes after symptom onset, median of 2.75 days). Among patients with TIMI 0 or 1 flow, there was a trend for lower 30-day mortality among patients who underwent rescue PCI than among those who did not (6% vs 17%, p = 0.01, adjusted p = 0.28). Patients who underwent adjunctive PCI had similar 30-day mortality and/or reinfarction as those who underwent delayed PCI. In a multivariate model both had lower 30-day mortality and/or reinfarction than patients with "successful thrombolysis" (i.e., TIMI 3 flow at 90 minutes) who did not undergo revascularization (p = 0.02). Thus, early PCI following AMI is associated with excellent outcomes. Randomized trials of an early invasive strategy following thrombolysis are warranted.     

ST‐Segment Resolution Prior to Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Is a Poor Indicator of Coronary Artery Patency in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: The prognostic value of ST‐segment resolution (STR) after initiation of reperfusion therapy has been established by various studies conducted in both the thrombolytic and mechanic reperfusion era. However, data regarding the value of STR immediately prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to predict infarct‐related artery (IRA) patency remain limited. We investigated whether STR prior to primary PCI is a reliable, noninvasive indicator of IRA patency in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: The study population consisted of STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI at our institution between 2000 and 2007. STR was analyzed in 12‐lead electrocardiograms recorded at first medical contact and immediately prior to primary PCI and defined as complete (≥70%), partial (70%? 30%), or absent (<30%). Results: In 1253 patients with a complete data set, STR was inversely related to the probability of impaired preprocedural flow (P_{for trend} < 0.001). Although the sensitivity of incomplete (<70%) STR to predict a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow of <3 was 96%, the specificity was 23%, and the negative predictive value of incomplete STR to predict normal coronary flow was only 44%. Conclusions: This study establishes the correlation between STR prior to primary PCI and preprocedural TIMI flow in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI. However, the negative predictive value of incomplete STR for detection of TIMI‐3 flow is only 44% and therefore should not be a criterion to refrain from immediate coronary angiography in STEMI patients. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(2):107–115