Utilization of Emergency Medical Services by Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Arab Gulf States

Background

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) play a central role in caring for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). To date, no data exist on utilization of EMS systems in the Arab Gulf States.

Objective

To examine EMS use by patients with ACS in the Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE). Methods: Gulf RACE was a prospective, multinational study conducted in 2007 of all patients hospitalized with ACS in 65 centers in six Arab countries. Data were analyzed based on mode of presentation (EMS vs. other).

Results

Of 7859 patients hospitalized with ACS through the emergency department (ED), only 1336 (17%) used EMS, with wide variation among countries (2% in Yemen to 37% in Oman). Younger age (odds ratio [OR] 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.15 per 10-year decrement), presence of chest pain (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.48–2.03), prior myocardial infarction (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.34–1.86), prior percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.02–1.59), family history of premature coronary disease (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.09–1.51), and current smoking (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.13–1.50) were independently associated with not utilizing EMS. Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction/left bundle branch block myocardial infarction who were transported by EMS were significantly less likely to exhibit major delay in presentation, and were significantly more likely to receive favorable processes of care, including shorter door-to-electrocardiogram time, more frequent coronary reperfusion therapy, and thrombolytic therapy within 30 min of arrival at the ED.

Conclusion

Despite current recommendations, fewer than 1 in 5 patients with ACS use EMS in the Arab Gulf States, highlighting a significant opportunity for improvement. Factors causing this underutilization deserve further investigation.     

Impact of Anemia on In-Hospital, One-Month and One-Year Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome from the Middle East

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of admission anemia on in-hospital, one-month, and one-year mortality in patients from the Middle East with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

Data were analyzed from 7922 consecutive patients admitted to hospitals throughout six Middle-Eastern countries with the final diagnosis of ACS, as part of Gulf RACE II (Registry of Acute Coronary Events II). Anemia at admission was defined according to the World Health Organization definition (<13 g/dL in men and <12 g/dL in women). Analyses were conducted using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques.

Results

The median age of the cohort was 56 (48–65) years, with the majority being male (79%). Anemia at admission was present in 2241 patients (28%). Patients with anemia were more likely to have in-hospital complications including heart failure, recurrent ischemia, re-infarction, cardiogenic shock, stroke, and major bleed. Even after adjustment, anemia was still associated with mortality at in-hospital (odds ratio [OR]=1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34–2.17; P<0.001), at one-month (OR=1.34, 95% CI, 1.06–1.71; P=0.016), and at one-year (OR=1.22, 95% CI, 1.01–1.49; P=0.049) post-admission with ACS.

Conclusions

Admission anemia in patients with ACS from six Middle-Eastern countries was strongly associated with mortality at in-hospital, one-month, and at one-year. Hence, admission anemia must be considered in the initial risk assessment of ACS patients along with other risk scores.     

Killip classification in patients with acute coronary syndrome: insight from a multicenter registry

The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the Killip classification at the presentation in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In 2007 and over 5 months, 6704 consecutive patients with ACS were enrolled in the Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events. Patients were categorized according to Killip classification at presentation (Classes I, II, III, and IV). Patients' characteristics and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed. High Killip classes were defined in 22% of patients. In comparison to Killip Class I, patients with higher Killip class had greater prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, presented late, were less likely to have angina, and were less likely to receive antiplatelet, statins, and β-blockers. Classes II, III, and IV were associated with higher adjusted odds of death in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-3.69; OR 6.1, 95% CI 3.41-10.86; and OR 28, 95% CI 15.24-54.70, respectively) and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (adjusted OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.24-4.82; OR 3.2,95% 1.49-7.02; and OR 9.8, 95% CI 3.79-25.57, respectively). In conclusion, across ACS, patients with higher Killip class had worse clinical profile and were less likely to be treated with evidence-based therapy. High Killip class was independent predictors of mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. Physician in the emergency department should be aware of the importance of clinical examination in the risk stratification in patients presenting with ACS.     

Expeditious exclusion of acute coronary syndrome diagnosis by combined measurements of copeptin,high-sensitivity troponin,and GRACE score

Background

High-sensitivity troponin (HS-TnT) combined with copeptin have been proposed to expedite the diagnostic exclusion of acute myocardial infarction. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) has been validated and recommended by the European Society of Cardiology as a prognostic score in the management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without ST-segment elevation (non-ST +) on the electrocardiogram. Our study examined whether a low GRACE score (< 108) combined with negative HS-TnT (< 14 ng/L) and copeptin (< 14 pmol/L) reliably exclude the diagnosis of non-ST + ACS, including non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina.

Methods

This observational, prospective study included patients presenting with chest pain lasting < 6 hours, consistent with non-ST + ACS. Blood was collected early for measurements of copeptin and HS-TnT. The negative predictive value of combined copeptin, HS-TnT, and GRACE score was calculated in the diagnosis of non-ST + ACS. The thresholds of positivity were 14 ng/L for HS-TnT, 14 pmol/L for copeptin and 108 for the GRACE score.

Results

Among 247 patients retained in the analysis, the diagnosis of ACS was made in 50 (20.4%), including 39 non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 11 unstable angina. The negative predictive value of combined HS-TnT, copeptin and GRACE score was 99%.

Conclusion

A negative copeptin associated with a negative HS-TnT in a patient presenting with a low GRACE score expedited the diagnostic exclusion of non-ST + ACS.     

ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Women With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of type 2 diabetes on the clinical course and prognosis of women with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 26,035 consecutive patients with STEMI who were hospitalized in 456 hospitals in Poland during 1 year were analyzed. The data were obtained from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS).

RESULTS

Type 2 diabetes occurred more frequently in women than in men (28 vs. 16.6%; P < 0.0001). The proportion of women was larger among patients with diabetes (47.1 vs. 31.3%; P < 0.0001), and compared with women without diabetes, diabetic women had worse clinical profiles. Women with diabetes were most frequently treated conservatively. Both women and men with diabetes had significantly more advanced atherosclerotic lesions than women without diabetes. Women with diabetes had the highest in-hospital, 6-month, and 1-year mortality rates. Multivariate analysis indicated that type 2 diabetes was a significant independent risk factor for in-hospital and 1-year mortality in women with STEMI. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) was a significant factor associated with the decreased 1-year mortality in women without diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Type 2 diabetes was a significant independent risk factor for in-hospital and 1-year mortality in women with STEMI. Women with diabetes had the poorest early and 1-year prognoses after STEMI when compared with women without diabetes and men with diabetes. Although pPCI improves the long-term prognosis of women with diabetes, it is used less frequently than in women without diabetes or men with diabetes.The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes represents a strong and independent coronary risk factor that increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality—a leading cause of death among patients with type 2 diabetes. The available evidence indicates that cardiovascular disease develops significantly more frequently and markedly earlier in patients with diabetes than among patients without type 2 diabetes. It is well known that the risk of coronary artery disease in the general population of middle-aged men is 2.5-fold higher than in women, who develop cardiovascular disease ∼10 years later (1). A number of studies have shown that type 2 diabetes–related increases in cardiovascular risk are greater in women than in men (2,3). However, some researchers have questioned the reversal of the female advantage in populations with diabetes, especially after adjusting for classic coronary risk factors (4). Type 2 diabetes not only increases the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but also significantly aggravates the course of myocardial infarction and worsens the prognosis, as shown in a number of randomized and observational studies. Recent progress in thrombolytic treatment and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has significantly improved the prognoses of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, despite technological advances in myocardial revascularization and treatment, the mortality among patients with diabetes with ACS is still significantly higher, especially among women, compared with patients without diabetes. Although patients with diabetes make up a significant proportion of patients with STEMI, clinical studies relatively rarely address differences in the course of myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes, and even less often in women with diabetes. This may be a result of the generally insufficient participation of women (at most, 30% of the study population in the last century) in the majority of significant trials; this underrepresentation has influenced the formulation of the currently available standards and guidelines (5–7). Therefore, national registries provide valuable information on the true scale of the problem in any given country. The Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) (8) contains unique data that are useful for epidemiological analysis and provide information regarding various treatment strategies and their efficacy in the population of Polish women with type 2 diabetes and ACS. Therefore, an analysis of the clinical differences and prognoses of these high-risk patients with STEMI is warranted.     

Acute Coronary Syndromes: Diagnosis and Management, Part I

The term acute coronary syndrome (ACS) refers to any group of clinical symptoms compatible with acute myocardial ischemia and includes unstable angina (UA), non—ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). These high-risk manifestations of coronary atherosclerosis are important causes of the use of emergency medical care and hospitalization in the United States. A quick but thorough assessment of the patient''s history and findings on physical examination, electrocardiography, radiologic studies, and cardiac biomarker tests permit accurate diagnosis and aid in early risk stratification, which is essential for guiding treatment. High-risk patients with UA/NSTEMI are often treated with an early invasive strategy involving cardiac catheterization and prompt revascularization of viable myocardium at risk. Clinical outcomes can be optimized by revascularization coupled with aggressive medical therapy that includes anti-ischemic, antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and lipid-lowering drugs. Evidence-based guidelines provide recommendations for the management of ACS; however, therapeutic approaches to the management of ACS continue to evolve at a rapid pace driven by a multitude of large-scale randomized controlled trials. Thus, clinicians are frequently faced with the problem of determining which drug or therapeutic strategy will achieve the best results. This article summarizes the evidence and provides the clinician with the latest information about the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and risk stratification of ACS and the management of UA/NSTEMI.ACC = American College of Cardiology; ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme; ACS = acute coronary syndrome; ADP = adenosine diphosphate; AHA = American Heart Association; BNP = B-type natriuretic peptide; CABG = coronary artery bypass grafting; CAD = coronary artery disease; CHF = congestive heart failure; CI = confidence interval; CK-MB = muscle and brain fraction of creatine kinase; CRP = C-reactive protein; CURE = Clopidogrel in Unstable Angina to Prevent Recurrent Events; ECG = electrocardiography; ED = emergency department; GP = glycoprotein; HR = hazard ratio; IV = intravenous; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; LMWH = low—molecular-weight heparin; LV = left ventricular; MI = myocardial infarction; NSTEMI = non—ST-segment elevation MI; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention; STEMI = ST-segment elevation MI; TIMI = Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction; UA = unstable angina; UFH = unfractionated heparinThe term acute coronary syndrome (ACS) refers to any group of clinical symptoms compatible with acute myocardial ischemia and covers the spectrum of clinical conditions ranging from unstable angina (UA) to non—ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Unstable angina and NSTEMI are closely related conditions: their pathophysiologic origins and clinical presentations are similar, but they differ in severity. A diagnosis of NSTEMI can be made when the ischemia is sufficiently severe to cause myocardial damage that results in the release of a biomarker of myocardial necrosis into the circulation (cardiac-specific troponins T or I, or muscle and brain fraction of creatine kinase [CK-MB]). In contrast, the patient is considered to have experienced UA if no such biomarker can be detected in the bloodstream hours after the initial onset of ischemic chest pain. Unstable angina exhibits 1 or more of 3 principal presentations: (1) rest angina (usually lasting >20 minutes), (2) new-onset (<2 months previously) severe angina, and (3) a crescendo pattern of occurrence (increasing in intensity, duration, frequency, or any combination of these factors). Each year in the United States, approximately 1.36 million hospitalizations are required for ACS (listed either as a primary or a secondary discharge diagnosis), of which 0.81 million are for myocardial infarction (MI) and the remainder are for UA. Roughly two-thirds of patients with MI have NSTEMI; the rest have STEMI.¹     

Insurance Status and the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction at Academic Centers

Numerous studies have documented treatment disparities in patients with acute coronary syndromes based on race and gender. Other causes for treatment disparities may exist. OBJECTIVES: To determine if insurance status affects quality of care in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) presenting to academic health centers. METHODS: The Internet Tracking Registry for Acute Coronary Syndromes (i*trACS), a prospective multicenter registry of patients with chest pain presenting to the emergency department who receive an electrocardiogram, was used as the database (N = 17,737). A subset of patients who were diagnosed as having AMI were selected from the database (n = 936). Patients were classified as having either ST-segment elevation MI (n = 178) or non-ST-segment elevation MI (n = 758). Insurance status, age, race, and gender were extracted as predictor variables. The influence of predictor variables on treatment modality was investigated using logistic regression, adjusted for clustering within sites. RESULTS: The odds of a self-pay patient with ST-segment elevation MI receiving fibrinolytics were 3.23 (95% CI = 1.56 to 6.69) times higher than for other patients. Patients with Medicare coverage were less likely to receive fibrinolytics (odds ratio [OR] 0.35, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.65) and tended to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention less often (OR 0.60, 95% CI = 0.36 to 1.01). The odds of a privately insured patient's receiving coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 2.76, 95% CI = 1.62 to 4.72) or percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 1.47, 95% CI = 1.03 to 2.11) were higher than for other patients. CONCLUSIONS: Insurance coverage appears to affect treatment in patients with AMI, with self-pay patients more likely to receive less-expensive therapies and insured patients more likely to receive invasive treatments.     

Management and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome with minimal myocardial necrosis: analysis of a large prospective registry from a non-interventional centre

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical risk of minimal myonecrosis below the cut-off for acute myocardial infarction (MI) in comparison with other grades of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). One-thousand four hundred and sixty seven consecutive patients with ACS admitted between May 2001 and April 2002 were studied in a non-interventional centre. Patients were divided into unstable angina (UA) (cTnT < 0.01 microg/l), non-ST elevation ACS with minimal myonecrosis (0.01 or= 0.1 microg/L) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). UA (n = 638) was associated with the fewest events at 6 months (2% cardiac death or MI). Patients with any myonecrosis (n = 829) had worse outcomes (6-month cardiac death or MI 18.3-23.3%). Compared with ACS patients with minimal myonecrosis, UA patients were at significantly lower risk (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.12-0.45, p < 0.001), NSTEMI patients were at similar risk (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.89-2.35, p = 0.13), and STEMI patients were at higher risk (OR 2.12 95% CI 1.26-3.85, p = 0.008) in adjusted analyses. Nearly 85% of cardiac deaths occurred within 6 months. The risk of adverse events was higher among patients managed by non-cardiologists (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1-2.75, p = 0.049). Patients with non-ST elevation ACS and minimal myonecrosis are a high-risk group more comparable with NSTEMI and clearly distinguishable from patients with UA.     

Safety and Efficacy of Bivalirudin in High-risk Patients Admitted Through the Emergency Department

Objectives: The objective was to assess the safety and efficacy of bivalirudin monotherapy in patients with high-risk acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods: Data from the Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage StrategY (ACUITY) trial were used to conduct a post hoc subgroup analysis of high-risk ACS patients (cardiac biomarker elevation or ST-segment deviation) who initially presented to the ED. The ACUITY trial randomized patients to receive heparin (unfractionated [UFH] or enoxaparin) plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition (GPI), bivalirudin plus GPI, or bivalirudin monotherapy. Endpoints included composite ischemia, major bleeding (not coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) related), and net clinical outcome (major bleeding plus composite ischemia). Results: Of 13,819 participants in the ACUITY trial, 6,441 presented initially to the ED, met high-risk criteria, and were included in the primary analysis. Bivalirudin alone when compared to heparin plus GPI, after adjusting for covariates, was associated with an improvement in net clinical outcome (12.3% vs. 14.3%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.66 to 0.99), similar composite ischemia (9.3% vs. 9.1%, adjusted OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.77 to 1.24), and less major bleeding (4.0% vs. 6.8%, adjusted OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.42 to 0.75). Bivalirudin plus GPI when compared to heparin plus GPI had similar net clinical outcome (13.8% vs. 14.3%, adjusted OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.75 to 1.11), composite ischemia (8.8% vs. 9.1%, adjusted OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.69 to 1.11), and major bleeding (6.8% vs. 6.8%, adjusted OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.79 to 1.30). Conclusions:  Bivalirudin monotherapy decreases major bleeding while providing similar protection from ischemic events compared to heparin plus GPI in patients with high-risk ACS admitted through the ED.     

Are there symptom differences in patients with coronary artery disease presenting to the ED ultimately diagnosed with or without ACS?

Objectives

Symptoms are compared among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) admitted to the emergency department with or without acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Sex and age are also assessed.

Methods

A secondary analysis from the PROMOTION (Patient Response tO Myocardial Infarction fOllowing a Teaching Intervention Offered by Nurses) trial, an multicenter randomized controlled trial, was conducted.

Results

Of 3522 patients with CAD, at 2 years, 565 (16%) presented to the emergency department, 234 (41%) with non-ACS and 331 (59%) with ACS. Shortness of breath (33% vs 25%, P = .028) or dizziness (11% vs 3%, P = .001) were more common in non-ACS. Chest pain (65% vs 77%, P = .002) or arm pain (9% vs 21%, P = .001) were more common in ACS. In men without ACS, dizziness was more common (11% vs 2%; P = .001). Men with ACS were more likely to have chest pain (78% vs 64%; P = .003); both men and women with ACS more often had arm pain (men, 19% vs 10% [P = .019]; women, 26% vs 13% [P = .023]). In multivariate analysis, patients with shortness of breath (odds ratio [OR], 0.617 [confidence interval [CI], 0.410-0.929]; P = .021) or dizziness (OR, .0311 [CI, 0.136-0.708]; P = .005) were more likely to have non-ACS. Patients with prior percutaneous coronary intervention (OR, 1.592 [CI, 1.087-2.332]; P = .017), chest pain (OR, 1.579 [CI, 1.051-2.375]; P = .028), or arm pain (OR, 1.751 [CI, 1.013-3.025]; P <.042) were more likely to have ACS.

Conclusions

In patients with CAD, shortness of breath and dizziness are more common in non-ACS, whereas prior percutaneous coronary intervention and chest or arm pain are important factors to include during ACS triage.     

Coronary arteriography for diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome

The acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an acute ischemic attack resulted from disruption of coronary atheroma followed by thrombus formation. Because current guidelines recommend an early invasive strategy for patients who have ACS with and without ST-segment elevation and with an elevated cardiac troponin T level, early coronary angiography is indicated in almost all patients with ACS. Coronary angiography of ischemia related artery reveals total occlusion or severe stenosis associated with thrombus. In a patient with multivessel disease, a careful interpretation of coronary angiography is needed to identify the ischemia related artery.     

The additive value of copeptin for early diagnosis and prognosis of acute coronary syndromes

BackgroundOne promising biomarker that has received substantial interest for the evaluation of suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) is copeptin. Therefore, our goal was to assess the additive value of copeptin for early diagnosis and prognosis of Non-ST segment acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS).MethodsThe study included ninety patients with suspected ACS. Patients with typical ischemic chest pain within six hours of symptom onset and without ST-segment elevation on electrocardiograph (ECG) were included. In addition to cardiac troponin I (cTnI), copeptin was assayed from venous blood samples obtained on admission, followed by serial troponin measurements six and twelve hours later. One year follow-up was performed for any major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) including cardiac death, re-infarction, re- hospitalization for ischemic events, heart failure, stroke and target lesion revascularization (TLR).ResultsOf seventy nine patients included in the final analysis, Forty (50.6%) were diagnosed as unstable angina (UA), while thirty nine (49.4%) had a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Copeptin level on admission was significantly higher among NSTEMI patients than those with UA. With regard to the correlation analyses, copeptin was positively correlated with each of, Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE), Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and synergy between percutaneous coronary intervention with taxus and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) scores. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of the combination of admission copeptin and cTn-I were 100% and 100%, respectively, versus 57% and 70%, respectively, with admission of cTn-I alone. The area under curve (AUC) of the combination of copeptin and cTn-I was (0.975, p < 0.001) and was significantly higher than the AUC of cTn-I alone (0.888, p < 0.001). Admission copeptin was an independent predictor for MACEs by multiple regression analysis (OR: 0.01, 95% CI: 0.0–0.8, P = 0.04). High values of copeptin had the highest rate of MACEs and coronary revascularization during one year of follow up.ConclusionThe combination of copeptin and conventional troponin I aids in early rule out of NSTEMI virtually independent of chest pain onset (CPO) with high NPV in patients presenting within three hours from chest pain onset with excellent prognostic value for risk stratification and prediction of MACEs.     

Pre- and early in-hospital procedures in patients with acute coronary syndromes: first results of the “German chest pain unit registry”

Background

In an attempt to improve the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), a network of certified chest pain units (CPUs) has been recently established in Germany.

Methods

Data from patients admitted between December 2008 and September 2011 for ACS in 40 certified CPUs participating in the registry were prospectively collected.

Results

A total of 5,457 patients was admitted for ACS; 798 patients (14.6?%) were diagnosed with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 2,244 (41.1?%) with a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and 2,415 (44.3?%) with unstable angina. The mean time to first medical contact was 2:08?h for STEMI patients. A pre-hospital ECG was available in 23.8?% of all ACS patients. Importantly, evidence of ST-segment elevation was present in 79.7?% of the STEMI patients already in this pre-hospital ECG. As many as 76.6?% of the patients, independently of their symptoms and final diagnosis, received an ECG within 10?min of reaching the CPU. 98.2?% of STEMI patients underwent invasive diagnostics, with an in-hospital delay as little as 31 (11–75)?min.

Conclusion

The establishment of a nation-wide network of certified CPUs optimizes the medical treatment of patients with ACS while providing an ideal infrastructure to evaluate and improve, both on a nation-wide and a single center scale, the adherence to guidelines. The median delay between symptom onset and first medical contact remains high. Although performed relatively rarely, a pre-hospital ECG facilitates earlier diagnosis of a STEMI in a large majority of patients. The introduction of CPUs minimizes in-hospital delays and exploits the benefit of invasive diagnostics and treatment.     

Prognostic significance of reciprocal ST-segment depression in patients with acute STEMI undergoing immediate invasive intervention

Purposes

Reciprocal changes are frequent in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, their prognostic significance is not clear in patients undergoing immediate invasive intervention.

Basic Procedure

We retrospectively examined 165 consecutive patients with STEMI receiving immediate invasive intervention. The first electrocardiography taken in the emergency department was analyzed. Patients were assigned to 2 groups: with a reciprocal change (group I, n = 100) and without a reciprocal change (group II, n = 65).

Main Findings

Electrocardiographs revealed that more anterolateral and inferior STEMI occurred in group I and more anterior STEMI occurred in group II. In the emergency department, group I had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures, higher ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation rates, and higher cardiopulmonary resuscitation rates than did group II. Upon admission, peak troponin I levels were significantly higher in group I, and more group I patients required intra-aortic balloon pumping support. This unstable hemodynamic condition in group I patients was reflected by their higher in-hospital mortality rate. Multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.103; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.022-1.190; P = .012), Killip class (OR, 2.785; 95% CI, 1.049-7.400; P = .040), and reciprocal change (OR, 9.553; 95% CI, 1.146-79.608; P = .037) remained as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Actuarial freedom from all-cause mortality was worse in group I (P = .046).

Principal Conclusions

The data suggest that patients with STEMI with reciprocal electrocardiographic changes have unstable hemodynamic status and poorer outcomes. Further prospective studies using a larger patient population are needed.     

Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with acute pulmonary embolism complicated by cardiogenic shock

Background

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare electrocardiography (ECG) parameters in patients with APE presenting with or without CS.

Methods

A 12-lead ECG was recorded on admission at a paper speed of 25 mm/s and 10 mm/mV amplification. All ECGs were examined by a single cardiologist who was blinded to all other clinical data. All ECG measurements were made manually.

Results

Electrocardiographic data from 500 patients with APE were analyzed, including 92 patients with CS. The following ECG parameters were associated with CS: S1Q3T3 sign, (odds ratio [OR]: 2.85, P < .001), qR or QR morphology of QRS in lead V1, (OR: 3.63, P < .001), right bundle branch block (RBBB) (OR: 2.46, P = .004), QRS fragmentation in lead V1 (OR: 2.94, P = .002), low QRS voltage (OR: 3.21, P < .001), negative T waves in leads V2 to V4 (OR: 1.81, P = .011), ST-segment depression in leads V4 to V6 (OR: 3.28, P < .001), ST-segment elevation in lead III (OR: 4.2, P < .001), ST-segment elevation in lead V1 (OR: 6.78, P < .01), and ST-segment elevation in lead aVR (OR: 4.35, P < .01). The multivariate analysis showed that low QRS voltage, RBBB, and ST-segment elevation in lead V1 remained statistically significant predictors of CS.

Conclusions

In patients with APE, low QRS voltage, RBBB, and ST-segment elevation in lead V1 were associated with CS.     

Proton Pump Inhibitors and In-Hospital Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Receiving Dual Antiplatelet Therapy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and in-hospital gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) taking dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).Patients and MethodsThis study is based on the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-ACS project, an ongoing collaborative registry and quality improvement project of the American Heart Association and the Chinese Society of Cardiology. A total of 25,567 patients with ACS taking DAPT from 172 hospitals from July 1, 2017, through December 31, 2018, were included. Multivariable Cox regression and propensity score–matched analyses were used to evaluate the association between PPI use and in-hospital GI bleeding.ResultsOf these patients with ACS, 63.9% (n=16,332) were prescribed PPIs within 24 hours of admission. Patients using PPIs had a higher rate of GI bleeding compared with those not using PPIs (1.0% vs 0.5%; P<.001). In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, early PPI use was associated with a 58% higher risk of GI bleeding (hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.18; P=.005). Further propensity score matching attenuated the association but still showed that patients using PPIs had a higher rate of GI bleeding (0.8% vs 0.6%; P=.04).ConclusionIn China, PPIs are widely used within 24 hours of admission in patients with ACS taking DAPT. An increased risk of GI bleeding is observed in inpatients with early PPI use. Randomized trials on early use of PPIs in patients with ACS receiving DAPT are warranted.Trial Registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02306616.     

Prognostic value of systemic inflammatory response index in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BackgroundThe systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) is a novel inflammatory biomarker in many diseases.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the association between SIRI and adverse events in patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.MethodsA total of 1724 patients with ACS enrolled from June 2016 to November 2017 at a single centre were included in this study, and SIRI was calculated for each patient. The primary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including overall death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and unplanned repeat revascularization.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 927 days, 355 patients had MACE. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that SIRI was significantly associated with MACE (hazard ratio: 1.127, 95% confidence interval: 1.034–1.229 p = .007). The results were consistent in multiple sensitivity analyses. The addition of SIRI had an incremental effect on the predictive ability of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk score for MACE (integrated discrimination improvement: 0.007, p = .040; net reclassification improvement: 0.175, p = .020; likelihood ratio test: p < .001). The restricted cubic spline showed a monotonic increase with a greater SIRI value for MACE (p < .001).ConclusionSIRI was an independent risk factor for MACE and provided incremental prognostic information in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

KEY MESSAGES

• The SIRI is a strong and independent risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
• Higher SIRI is associated with a more severe disease status.
• The SIRI could increase the prognostic value of the GRACE risk score.

     

Total leucocyte count, but not C-reactive protein, predicts 1-year mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with percutaneous coronary intervention

Although an association between elevated leucocyte count and mortality in patients with ACS (acute coronary syndromes) has been established, the independence of this association from coronary risk factors and C-reactive protein has been inadequately studied. In the present study, this prospective registry included 4329 patients with ACS treated with PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention): 1059 patients with STEMI [ST-segment elevation MI (myocardial infarction)], 1753 patients with NSTEMI (non-STEMI) and 1517 patients with unstable angina. Blood samples were obtained before angiography for leucocyte count and C-reactive protein measurements. The primary outcome of this analysis was 1-year mortality. At 1 year, 345 patients (8%) had died: 45 patients in the 1st tertile, 93 patients in the 2nd tertile and 207 patients in the 3rd tertile of leucocyte count [Kaplan-Meier estimates of mortality, 3.2%, 6.4% and 14.1% with an OR (odds ratio)=2.42, 95% CI (confidence interval)1.78-3.12; P<0.001 for tertile 3 compared with tertile 2 and an OR=1.99, 95% CI 1.77-2.25; P<0.001 for tertile 2 compared with tertile 1]. The Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for coronary risk factors, ACS presentation, extent of coronary artery disease, C-reactive protein and other covariates identified leucocyte count with a HR (hazard ratio)=1.05 (95% CI 1.02-1.07; P<0.001 for 1000 cells/mm(3) increase in the leucocyte count), but not C-reactive protein (HR=1.13, 95% CI 0.95-1.34; P=0.15 for a 1 tertile increase in the C-reactive protein concentration) as an independent correlate of 1-year mortality. We conclude that elevated leucocyte count, but not C-reactive protein, predicts 1-year mortality independent of cardiovascular risk factors across the entire spectrum of patients with ACS treated with PCI.     

Emergency Department and Office-Based Evaluation of Patients With Chest Pain

The management of patients with chest pain is a common and challenging clinical problem. Although most of these patients do not have a life-threatening condition, the clinician must distinguish between those who require urgent management of a serious problem such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and those with more benign entities who do not require admission. Although clinical judgment continues to be paramount in meeting this challenge, new diagnostic modalities have been developed to assist in risk stratification. These include markers of cardiac injury, risk scores, early stress testing, and noninvasive imaging of the heart. The basic clinical tools of history, physical examination, and electrocardiography are currently widely acknowledged to allow early identification of low-risk patients who have less than 5% probability of ACS. These patients are usually initially managed in the emergency department and transitioned to further outpatient evaluation or chest pain units. Multiple imaging strategies have been investigated to accelerate diagnosis and to provide further risk stratification of patients with no initial evidence of ACS. These include rest myocardial perfusion imaging, rest echocardiography, computed tomographic coronary angiography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. All have very high negative predictive values for excluding ACS and have been successful in reducing unnecessary admissions for patients at low to intermediate risk of ACS. As patients with acute chest pain transition from the evaluation in the emergency department to other outpatient settings, it is important that all clinicians involved in the care of these patients understand the tools used for assessment and risk stratification.ACC = American College of Cardiology; ACS = acute coronary syndrome; ADP = accelerated diagnostic protocol; AHA = American Heart Association; CAD = coronary artery disease; CHF = chronic heart failure; CMRI = cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; CPU = chest pain unit; CT = computed tomography; CTCA = computed tomographic coronary angiography; ECG = electrocardiography; ED = emergency department; ETT = exercise treadmill testing; MI = myocardial infarction; MPI = myocardial perfusion imaging; TIMI = Thrombolysis in Myocardial InfarctionChest pain and symptoms consistent with myocardial ischemia are one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) evaluation, accounting for approximately 8% to 10% of the 119 million ED visits yearly.¹ Chest pain is one of the few disease processes in which patients may initially appear to be well but in fact have an underlying life-threatening condition. Inadvertent discharge of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been associated with a short-term mortality of 2%, as well as major risk of liability.² Identifying patients with chest pain who are at risk of adverse events is important not only to ED physicians but also to all physicians who evaluate such patients. In one insurance industry—based study, the physician group most likely to be sued for missed myocardial infarction (MI) was family practitioners (32%), followed by general internists (22%) and ED physicians (15%).³Myocardial infarction can be misdiagnosed for a number of reasons. Misinterpretation of findings on electrocardiography (ECG) occurs in 23% to 40% of misdiagnosed MIs.^4-7 Younger age,^4,6,7 physician inexperience,⁸ and atypical presentations^4,6,7 are more common in these patients. An insurance claims—based study found that in 28% of cases no diagnostic study, not even ECG, was ordered.³ Therefore, standardizing the evaluation process is critical for identifying patients who initially appear to be low risk but who actually have ACS.To meet this challenge, an increasing array of diagnostic modalities have been investigated during the past 2 decades, including new cardiac biomarkers, clinical risk scores, early stress testing, and noninvasive imaging of the myocardium and coronary arteries.^9,10 These have been incorporated into various accelerated diagnostic protocols (ADPs) or chest pain unit (CPU) pathways to provide a rapid, cost-effective mechanism for evaluation.     

Predictive value of electrocardiogram in diagnosing acute coronary artery lesions among patients with out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest

Aims

Acute coronary lesions are known to be the most common trigger of out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Aim of the present study was to assess the predictive value of ST-segment changes in diagnosing the presence of acute coronary lesions among OHCA patients

Methods

Findings of coronary angiography (CA) performed in patients resuscitated from OCHA were retrospectively reviewed and related to ST-segment changes on post-ROSC electrocardiogram (ECG)

Results

Ninety-one patients underwent CA after OHCA; 44% of patients had ST-segment elevation and 56% of patients had other ECG patterns on post-ROSC ECG. Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) was found in 86% of patients; CAD was observed in 98% of patients with ST-segment elevation and in 77% of patients with other ECG patterns on post-ROSC ECG (p = 0.004). Acute or presumed recent coronary artery lesions were diagnosed in 56% of patients, respectively in 85% of patients with ST-segment elevation and in 33% of patients with other ECG patterns (p < 0.001). ST-segment analysis on post-ROSC ECG has a good positive predictive value but a low negative predictive value in diagnosing the presence of acute or presumed recent coronary artery lesions (85% and 67%, respectively)

Conclusions

Electrocardiographic findings after OHCA should not be considered as strict selection criteria for performing emergent CA in patients resuscitated from OHCA without obvious extra-cardiac cause; even in the absence of ST-segment elevation on post-ROSC ECG, acute culprit coronary lesions may be present and considered the trigger of cardiac arrest