Percutaneous left main coronary disease treatment without on‐site surgery back‐up in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Background : Best revascularization strategy in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and unprotected left main (ULM) coronary disease is still debate reflecting lack of convincing data. Objectives : To assess clinical feasibility and efficacy of ULM percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ACS and describe the practice of a center without on‐site surgical back‐up over a 7‐year period. Methods : Data on high‐risk patients with ACSs undergoing percutaneous ULM treatment were prospectively collected in an independent registry. Primary end‐points of this study were immediate and long‐term outcomes expressed as target lesion failure (TLF, composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization). Results : Between January 2003 and January 2010, 200 consecutive patients were included in this study. Angiographic success was obtained in 95% of patients but procedural success was 87% primarily affected by an 11% of in‐hospital cardiac mortality. At median follow‐up of 26 months (IQ 10–47), the overall TLF rate was 28.5%, with 16.0% of cardiac death, 7.0% of MI, and 10.5% of clinically driven target lesion revascularization rates. Cumulative definite/probable stent thrombosis was 3.5%. Elevated EuroSCORE value and pre‐procedural hemodynamic instability were the strongest predictors of TLF. Temporal trend analysis showed progressive but not significant improvement for both immediate (P = 0.110) and long‐term (P = 0.073) outcomes over the study period. Conclusions : This single‐center study based on current clinical practice in patient with ULM disease and ACS confirmed PCI as feasible revascularization strategy in absence of on‐site cardio‐thoracic support. Nevertheless, the outcome of these high‐risk patients is still hampered by a sensible in‐hospital mortality rate. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effect of sex difference in clinical presentation (stable coronary artery disease vs unstable angina pectoris or non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction vs ST‐elevation myocardial infarction) on 2‐year outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective

To determine whether there is a difference in 2‐year prognosis among patients across the spectrum of coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

We analyzed all consecutive patients undergoing PCI at a single center from 1/1‐12/31/2013. Clinical presentations were compared between sexes according to baseline clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics and 2‐year (mean 730 ± 30‐day) outcomes.

Results

We grouped 10 724 consecutive patients based on sex and clinical presentation. Among patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), rates of all‐cause death (6.7% vs 1.4%) and cardiac death (3.8% vs 1.1%) were significantly higher in women than in men (P < 0.05), but these rates did not differ between men and women with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) and non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome ((NSTE‐ACS). Incidence of major bleeding was greater than in men only in those women presenting with ACS. After multivariable adjustment, female sex was not an independent predictor of outcomes in STEMI (hazard ratio [HR] for all‐cause death: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.52‐3.38; P = 0.55; HR for cardiac death: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.23‐2.09, P = 0.51], but was still an independent predictor of bleeding in STEMI (HR: 3.53, 95%CI: 1.26‐9.91, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

Among STEMI patients, women had worse 2‐year mortality after PCI therapy, but female sex was not an independent predictor of mortality after adjustment for baseline characteristics. In STEMI patients, women were at higher bleeding risk than men after PCI, even after multivariable adjustment.     

Multicenter randomized trial of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention with low‐dose tenecteplase in patients with acute myocardial infarction: The Athens PCI trial

Objectives: To examine the safety and efficacy of low‐dose tenecteplase, administered before facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to restore Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade 2 or 3 blood flow in the infarct related artery (IRA) in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) scheduled to undergo PCI with a shortest anticipated delay of 30 min. Background: PCI preceded by administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, full‐dose thrombolytics, or both, is associated with no benefit or a higher incidence of adverse events than PCI alone. Methods: Patients with STEMI < 6 hr in duration were randomly assigned to PCI preceded by tenecteplase, 10 mg (facilitated PCI group, n = 143) versus standard PCI (control group, n = 141). All patients received aspirin and unfractionated heparin (70 IU/kg bolus) at time of randomization. Both groups received IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the catheterization laboratory and for at least 20 hr after PCI. Results: The median door‐to‐balloon time was 122 min (91–175) in the facilitated PCI versus 120 min (89–175) in the control group. IRA patency on arrival in the catheterization laboratory was 59.5% in the facilitated PCI (24% TIMI‐2, 35% TIMI‐3), versus 37% in the control (8% TIMI‐2, 29% TIMI‐3) group (P = 0.0001). During hospitalization, 9 patients (6%) died in the facilitated PCI versus 5 patients (3.5%) in the control group (P = 0.572). A single patient in the facilitated PCI group suffered a non‐fatal ischemic stroke. Conclusions: Facilitated PCI with low‐dose tenecteplase in patients presenting with STEMI was associated with a high IRA patency rate before PCI. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Outcomes from patients with multi‐vessel disease following primary PCI

Background: CABG and PCI are effective means for revascularization of patients with multi‐vessel coronary artery disease, but previous studies have not focused on treatment of patients that first undergo primary PCI. Methods: Among patients enrolled in the global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE), clinical outcomes for patients presenting with STEMI treated with primary PCI were compared according to whether residual stenoses were treated medically, surgically, or with staged PCI. Clinical characteristics and data pertaining to major adverse cardiac events during hospitalization and 6 months after discharge were collected. Results: Of the 1,705 patients included, 1,345 (79%) patients were treated medically, 303 (18%) underwent staged PCI, and 57 (3.3%) underwent CABG following primary PCI. Hospital mortality was lowest among patients treated with staged PCI (Medical = 5.7%; PCI = 0.7%; CABG = 3.5%; P < 0.001 [PCI vs. Medical]), a finding that persisted after risk adjustment (Odds Ratio PCI vs. Medical = 0.16, [0.04–0.68]; P = 0.01). Six month postdischarge mortality likewise was lowest in the staged PCI group (Medical = 3.1%; PCI = 0.8%; CABG = 4.0%; P = 0.04 [PCI vs. Medical]). Patients revascularized surgically were rehospitalized less frequently (Medical = 20%; PCI = 19%; CABG = 6.3%; P < 0.05) and underwent fewer unscheduled procedures (Medical = 9.8%; PCI = 10.0%; CABG = 0.0%; P < 0.02). Conclusions: The results of this multinational registry demonstrate that hospital mortality in patients who undergo staged percutaneous revascularization of multivessel coronary disease following primary PCI is very low. Patients undergoing CABG following primary PCI are hospitalized less frequently and undergo fewer unplanned catheter‐based procedures. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Results of percutaneous drug‐eluting stent implantation for unprotected left main coronary disease according to left ventricular systolic function

Objectives: We aimed to appraise the early and long‐term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug‐eluting stents (DES) in patients with unprotected left main disease (ULM) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVD). Background: PCI with DES has being performed with increasing frequency in subjects with ULM and LVD, but few specific data are available. Setting and Patients: We identified patients undergoing PCI with DES for ULM at our Center and distinguished those with ejection fraction (EF) >50% from those with 40% <EF ≤50% and those with EF ≤40%. The primary end‐point was the rate of major adverse cerebro‐cardiovascular events (MACCE, ie death, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke, repeat PCI or bypass surgery). Results: A total of 197 patients were included, 57.4% with EF >50%, 32.0% with 40% <EF ≤50%, and 10.6% with EF ≤40%. In‐hospital mortality was significantly higher in those with EF ≤40% (9.5% vs. 0 and 3.2%, P < 0.001). A total of 96% patients were followed for 23 ± 14 months, yielding a MACCE rate of 44.2% (41.6% in those with EF >50%, 41.6% in those with 40% <EF ≤50%, and 61.9% in those with EF ≤40%, P = 0.4). Specifically, death occurred in 2.7%, 7.9%, and 28.6% (P < 0.001), cardiac death in 1.8%, 4.8%, and 23.8% (P = 0.001), MI in 8.0%, 7.9% and 0 (P = 0.4), and TVR in 15.9%, 11.1% and 33.3% (P = 0.6). Conclusion: Systolic ventricular dysfunction is highly correlated with in‐hospital and long term death rates in patients undergoing PCI with DES for ULM disease. However it does not confer an increased risk of nonfatal adverse events or stent thrombosis. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Prognostic value of the age,creatinine, and ejection fraction score for non‐infarct‐related chronic total occlusion revascularization after primary percutaneous intervention in acute ST‐elevation myocardial infarction patients: A retrospective study

Objective

It is not known if ACEF scores could evaluate the prognosis of recanalization of non‐infarct‐related coronary arteries (non‐IRA) with chronic total occlusions (CTO) in patients who successfully underwent primary PCI. The objective of the current study was to assess the prognostic value of ACEF scores in acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with non‐IRA CTO after successful primary PCI.

Methods

There were 2952 STEMI patients who underwent successful primary PCI from January 2006 to December 2014 in our hospital, among them 377 patients had a non‐IRA CTO lesion. The patients were divided into successful CTO‐PCI group (n = 221) and failed/non‐attempted CTO‐PCI group (n = 156). Patients were stratified based on the ACEF tertiles. Primary end points measured in the current study were major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as the composite of all‐cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ischemia‐driven coronary revascularization and hospitalization for heart failure at 1 year.

Results

The incidence of MACE, all‐cause death and cardiac death were higher in the failed/non‐attempted CTO‐PCI group (P < 0.001). In the successful CTO‐PCI group, the cumulative 1‐year incidences of MACE and all‐cause death were decreased compared to those in the failed/non‐attempted CTO‐PCI group (log‐rank P < 0.001). The risk for MACE was reduced in the successful CTO‐PCI group compared to the failed/non‐attempted CTO‐PCI group in patients with low and intermediate ACEF scores (log‐rank P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Successfully staged CTO‐PCI could gain advantageous clinical outcomes in those patients with low or intermediate ACEF scores.     

Factors Associated With Ineligibility for PCI Differ Between Inpatient and Outpatient ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objectives

Without early revascularization, both inpatient and outpatient STEMIs have poor outcomes. Reasons for denying PCI for STEMI, however, remain uncertain. This single‐center retrospective cohort study compares factors and outcomes associated with ineligibility for PCI between inpatients and outpatients following ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

A total of 1,759 STEMI patients between June 2009 and January 2015 were assessed. Individual medical records were reviewed to obtain reasons for PCI ineligibility for STEMI patients who did not receive reperfusion therapy.

Results

Compared to outpatients with STEMI (n = 1,688), inpatients (n = 71) were less likely to receive coronary angiography (60.6% vs 95.9%; P < 0.001) or PCI (50.7% vs 80.9%; P < 0.001), with longer ECG/door to first device activation times (97 [78, 131] vs 63 [49, 78] minutes; P < 0.001). When coronary angiography was performed, however, similar rates of PCI and procedural success were seen in both groups. Principal contraindication for PCI was risk of bleeding within the inpatient population and complex coronary artery disease within the outpatient population. Total in‐hospital mortality was higher in inpatient STEMIs compared to outpatients (42.2% vs 10.0%; P < 0.001), but lower for patients eligible for PCI in both groups.

Conclusions

Reasons for PCI ineligibility differ between inpatient and outpatient STEMIs. Inpatients have increased risks of bleeding, lower coronary angiography and PCI use, and higher in‐hospital mortality. Especially for inpatients, specific PCI STEMI protocols that anticipate and overcome types of ineligibility and delay for cardiac catheterization may improve outcomes.

     

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention,Comorbidities, and Mortality among Emergency Department–Admitted ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients in Florida

Background: Risk of mortality following an ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be significantly reduced by prompt percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). National guidelines specify primary PCI as the preferred recommended treatment for STEMI. In this study, we examined same‐day PCI as an independent predictor of in‐hospital mortality, after adjustment for comorbidities, other patient factors, and hospital PCI‐volume using unselected surveillance data from Florida. Methods: We analyzed hospital discharge data for adults, 18+ years old, with a primary diagnosis of STEMI who were admitted to PCI‐capable hospitals through the emergency department during 2001–2005 (n = 43,849). Hierarchical (multilevel) logistic regression models were used for analysis. Results: Overall, 4,143 STEMI patients (9.4%) did not survive to hospital discharge. In late 2005, the in‐hospital mortality rates were 1.9% for those who received same‐day PCI versus 13.0% for those who did not. After adjustment for multiple patient factors, same‐day PCI was a significant predictor of in‐hospital survival with a strong protective effect (adjusted OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.31–0.38 P < 0.0001). Restriction of the analysis to those patients who survived the first day of admission did not appreciably change this result (adjust OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.33–0.42, P < 0.0001). Hospital PCI‐volume did not significantly impact mortality risk. Conclusions: Same‐day PCI markedly reduced the risk of in‐hospital mortality among STEMI patients after multivariate adjustment. Serious comorbidities and complications, older age, and female gender continued to predict elevated risk of mortality after control for treatment status. Our results provide additional evidence in support of national clinical recommendations and aggressive treatment of STEMI. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:205–215)     

In‐hospital and long‐term outcomes of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty with concomitant percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe aortic stenosis

Background

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) often coexists with significant coronary artery disease.

Objective

To evaluate procedural complications and long‐term outcomes of patients with severe AS undergoing balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

A total of 97 patients with severe AS underwent 104 BAVs as palliative procedure, bridge to definitive treatment, or before urgent non‐cardiac surgery. Patients were followed‐up for at least 12 months.

Results

Of the 97 patients, 34 (35.0%) underwent standalone BAV, 45 (46.4%) underwent BAV with coronary angiography, and 18 (18.6%) BAV with PCI. There were no differences in baseline characteristics and indications for BAV among the groups (P > 0.05). No higher risk of complications after BAV performed with concomitant coronary angiography/PCI was observed. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation was performed after BAV in 13 (13.4%) patients and surgical aortic valve replacement in three (3.1%) patients. In spite of no difference in in‐hospital mortality (5.6% vs. 8.9%; P = 0.76), patients with BAV and concomitant PCI had lower long‐term mortality than patients with BAV and concomitant coronary angiography (28.5% vs. 51.0%; P = 0.03). In multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Predicted Risk of Mortality score was identified as the only independent predictor of long‐term mortality for all patients (HR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.04‐1.15, P = 0.0006).

Conclusions

Concomitant PCI or coronary angiography performed with BAV may not increase the risk of major and vascular complications. Patients with BAV and concomitant PCI may have better survival than patients with BAV and concomitant coronary angiography.     

Poor long‐term patient and graft survival after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction due to saphenous vein graft occlusion

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to saphenous vein graft (SVG) occlusion has been associated with poor procedural results and poor short‐term outcomes, but long‐term graft patency and patient survival have not been evaluated. Consecutive patients (n = 2,240) with STEMI treated with primary PCI from 1984 to 2003 were followed for 6.6 years (median). Follow‐up angiography was obtained in 80% of hospital survivors following primary PCI for SVG occlusion at 2.3 years (median). Patients with primary PCI for SVG occlusion (n = 57) vs. native artery occlusion had more prior MI, advanced Killip class, and three‐vessel coronary disease and lower acute ejection fraction (EF). Patients with SVG occlusion had lower rates of TIMI 3 flow post‐PCI (80.7% vs. 93.6%; P = 0.0001), higher in‐hospital mortality (21.1% vs. 8.0%; P = 0.0004), and lower follow‐up EF (49.3% vs. 54.7%; P = 0.055). Culprit SVGs were patent in 64% of patients at 1 year and 56% at 5 years. Late survival was strikingly worse in patients with primary PCI for SVG occlusion vs. native vessel occlusion (49% vs. 76% at 10 years), and SVG occlusion was the second strongest predictor of late cardiac mortality by multivariate analysis (HR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.38–3.23; P = 0.0006). Patients with STEMI due to SVG occlusion treated with primary PCI have poor acute procedural results, frequent late reocclusion, and very high late mortality. The introduction of new adjunctive therapies (distal protection, thrombectomy, and drug‐eluting stents) may improve short‐term outcomes, but improved long‐term outcomes may require new and more durable revascularization strategies. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Age is not a bar to PCI: Insights from the long‐term outcomes from off‐site PCI in a real‐world setting

Objectives

We sought to analyze the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes of very elderly patients (V. Eld. group, age >80 years) and compare their outcomes to a less elderly cohort (Eld. group, age 75‐80 years) traditionally reported in the literature.

Background

Limited data exist on peri‐procedural and long‐term outcomes following PCI in the V. Eld. (age >80 years), with under‐representation of this cohort in randomized controlled trials. These patients present with advanced complex coronary disease and multiple comorbidities.

Methods

All 580 consecutive patients aged ≥75 years (age 80 ± 4.9 years, 57.4% males) undergoing PCI between April 2006 and November 2011 were included. A total of 624 consecutive lesions were identified and analyzed. All V. Eld. patients (n = 253) were subsequently selected, and their outcomes compared to Eld. patients (n = 327). Mean follow‐up was 30.8 ± 2.7 months with 98% clinical follow‐up achieved.

Results

All comparative data are expressed as (V. Eld. vs Eld.) unless otherwise specified. All‐cause mortality was significantly higher in the V. Eld. group (11.9% vs 6.1%), although this did not translate into a significant difference in cardiac mortality (6.3% vs 3.7%) or major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (16.2% vs 12.5%). The composite incidence of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, definite/probable stent thrombosis, and TIMI major bleed was 4.7%, 1.4% 1.9%, and 6.4%, respectively with no significant difference between both cohorts.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates an acceptable occurrence of MI, death, repeat intervention, and stent thrombosis in a high‐risk group of V. Eld. patients with de novo lesions. Age alone in the absence of other non‐cardiac factors should not prohibit a patient from access to PCI.

     

In‐hospital outcomes in invasively managed acute myocardial infarction patients who receive morphine

Objective

We aimed to analyze the association between morphine and in‐hospital outcomes in invasively managed ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non‐ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE‐ACS) patients.

Background

Morphine is commonly used for analgesia in the setting of acute coronary syndromes (ACS); however, recently its utility in ACS has come under closer scrutiny.

Methods

We identified all STEMI and NSTE‐ACS patients undergoing coronary angiogram +/? percutaneous intervention between January 2009 and July 2016 in our center and recorded patient characteristics and inpatient outcomes.

Results

Overall, 3027 patients were examined. Overall, STEMI patients who received morphine had no difference in in‐hospital mortality [4.18% vs. 7.54%, odds ratio (OR): 0.36, P = 0.19], infarct size (mean troponin level 0.75 ng/mL vs. 1.29 ng/mL, P = 0.32) or length of hospital stay (P = 0.61). The NSTE‐ACS patients who received morphine had a longer hospital stay (mean 6.58 days vs. 4.78 days, P < 0.0001) and larger infarct size (mean troponin 1.16 ng/mL vs. 0.90 ng/mL, P = 0.02). Comparing matched patients, the use of morphine was associated with larger infarct size (mean troponin 1.14 ± 1.92 ng/mL vs. 0.83 ± 1.49 ng/mL, P = 0.01), longer hospital stay (6.5 ± 6.82 days vs. 4.89 ± 5.36 days, P = 0.004) and a trend towards increased mortality (5% vs. 2%, OR: 2.55, P = 0.06) in NSTE‐ACS patients but morphine did not affect outcomes in the propensity matched STEMI patients.

Conclusion

In a large retrospective study, morphine was associated with larger infarct size, a longer hospital stay and a trend towards increased mortality in invasively managed NSTE‐ACS patients even after adjustment for clinical characteristics.

     

In‐hospital outcomes of very elderly patients (85 years and older) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Objective : To compare in‐hospital outcomes of a large cohort of very elderly patients (age ≥85 years) with younger patients (age <85 years) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for all indications at our institution. Background : Interventionist cardiologists are often reluctant to undertake PCI in very elderly patients due to the perception of poor outcome in this high‐risk cohort. However, the prognostic significance of advanced age itself is not clear. Methods : Baseline clinical, angiographic and procedural variables, and in‐hospital outcome data were entered into a prospective registry of 17,572 consecutive patients undergoing PCI at the University Health Network between April 2000 and December 2008. Patients were stratified according to age (<85 years, n = 17,168, or ≥85 years, n = 404) and in‐hospital mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACE), and complication rates were calculated. Logistic regression‐analysis identified independent predictors of unadjusted mortality and MACE. Very elderly patients were propensity matched with younger patients (1:2 ratio), and the analysis repeated. Results : Very elderly patients had a mean age of 87.5 ± 2.9 (range, 85–97 years) vs. 62.8 ± 11.1 years for the younger cohort and had a greater number of comorbid conditions. This cohort were more likely to present as an urgent or primary PCI, underwent more complex interventions, and achieved less angiographic success. Unadjusted mortality and post procedure myocardial infarction were significantly higher in very elderly patients (6.93% vs. 1.20%, P < 0.0001 and 4.46% vs. 2.74%, P = 0.04). Renal, neurological, and access‐site complications were all greater in the very elderly cohort. Although age ≥85 years was a significant independent predictor of both mortality (OR, 2.62; CI, 1.44–4.78, P = 0.0016) and MACE (OR, 1.94; CI, 1.25–3.01, P = 0.003), other variables such as cardiogenic shock were more potent predictors of adverse outcomes. Conclusion : Very elderly patients represent a high‐risk cohort, with significantly increased in‐hospital mortality and complication rates after PCI. Death occurred predominantly in very elderly patients undergoing nonelective PCI. Decisions to proceed with PCI in very elderly patients should be based on other prognostic variables in combination with advanced age, and these patients should not be excluded from revascularization based on age alone. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The impact of unsuccessful percutaneous coronary intervention on short‐ and long‐term prognosis in STEMI and NSTEMI

Objectives: To compare the impact of the efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on prognosis in ST and non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI and NSTEMI) patients with respect to infarct‐related artery (IRA). Background: The significance of the efficacy of PCI in STEMI and NSTEMI depending on the type of IRA has yet to be clarified. Methods: Study population consisted of 2,179 STEMI and 554 NSTEMI consecutive patients treated with urgent PCI. The efficacy of PCI (TIMI [thrombolysis in myocardial infarction] 3 vs. TIMI < 3) was assessed with regard to the type of IRA (left anterior descending artery, circumflex artery [Cx] or right coronary artery). The mean follow‐up was 37.5 months. Results: The rate of unsuccessful PCI was similar in STEMI and NSTEMI irrespectively of IRA (14.1 vs. 17.7%; P = 0.062). In STEMI, unsuccessful PCI was associated with significantly higher early (23.1 vs. 5.6%; P < 0.001) and late (29.9 vs. 12.8%; P < 0.001) mortality regardless of IRA. In NSTEMI, the inefficacious PCI significantly increased early (19.0% vs. 0.9%; P < 0.001) and late (27.3% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.001) mortality only in patients with Cx‐related infarction. Unsuccessful PCI of IRA was an independent risk factor for death in STEMI (HR 1.64; P < 0.05), but not in NSTEMI (P = 0.64). Further analysis showed that whilst unsuccessful PCI of any vessel in STEMI is an independent risk factor for death, in NSTEMI this applies to unsuccessful PCI of Cx only. Conclusions: The significance of unsuccessful PCI of IRA seems to be different in STEMI and NSTEMI. Unsuccessful PCI is an independent risk factor for death in STEMI regardless of IRA and in NSTEMI with the involvement of Cx. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Interatrial block as a predictor of atrial fibrillation in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction

Introduction

Interatrial block (IAB) is strongly associated with recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in different clinical scenarios. Atrial fibrosis is considered the responsible mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of IAB. The aim of this study was to investigate whether IAB predicted AF at 12 months follow‐up in a population of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Hypothesis

We aimed to investigate whether IAB predicted AF at 12 months follow up in a population of patients with STEMI.

Methods

Prospective, single center, observational study of patients presenting with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and referred to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P‐PCI). Surface electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded on admission and at 6th hour post P‐PCI. Patients were screened for the occurrence of AF at a 12‐months visit.

Results

A total of 198 patients were included between September 2015 and September 2016. IAB (partial and advanced) was detected in 102 (51.5%) patients on admission. Remodeling of the P‐wave and subsequent normalization reduced the prevalence of IAB to 47 (23.7%) patients at 6th hour. AF was detected in 17.7% of study patients at 12 months. Partial IAB (p‐IAB) on admission (OR 5.10; 95% CI, 1.46‐17.8; P = 0.011) and on 6th hour (OR 4.15; 95% CI, 1.29‐13.4; P = 0.017), presence of a lesion in more than one coronary artery (OR 3.29; 95% CI, 1.32‐8.16; P = 0.010) found to be independent predictors of AF at 12 months.

Conclusion

IAB is common in patients with STEMI and along with the presence of diffuse coronary artery disease is associated with new onset of AF.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention and 30‐day mortality: The British Columbia PCI risk score

Objectives : To construct a calculator to assess the risk of 30‐day mortality following PCI. Background : Predictors of 30‐day mortality are commonly used to aid management decisions for cardiac surgical patients. There is a need for an equivalent risk‐score for 30‐day mortality for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as many patients are suitable for both procedures. Methods : The British Columbia Cardiac Registry (BCCR) is a population‐based registry that collects information on all PCI procedures performed in British Columbia (BC). We used data from the BCCR to identify risk factors for mortality in PCI patients and construct a calculator that predicts 30‐day mortality. Results : Patients (total n = 32,899) were divided into a training set (n = 26,350, PCI between 2000 and 2004) and validation set (n = 6,549, PCI in 2005). Univariate predictors of mortality were identified. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed on the training set to develop a statistical model for prediction of 30‐day mortality. This model was tested in the validation set. Variables that were objective and available before PCI were included in the final risk score calculator. The 30‐day mortality for the overall population was 1.5% (n = 500). Area under the ROC curve was 90.2% for the training set and 91.1% for the validation set indicating that the model also performed well in this group. Conclusions : We describe a large, contemporary cohort of patients undergoing PCI with complete follow‐up for 30‐day mortality. A robust, validated model of 30‐day mortality after PCI was used to construct a risk calculator, the BC‐PCI risk score, which can be accessed at www.bcpci.org . © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A randomized study of prourokinase during primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracoronary administration of prourokinase via balloon catheter during primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

Acute STEMI patients underwent primary PCI were randomly divided into two groups: intracoronary prourokinase (IP) group (n = 118) and control group (n = 112). During primary PCI, prourokinase or saline were injected to the distal end of the culprit lesion via balloon catheter after balloon catheter dilatation. Demographic and clinical characteristics, infarct size, myocardial reperfusion, and cardiac functions were evaluated and compared between two groups. Hemorrhagic complications and MACE occurred in the 6‐months follow up were recorded.

Results

No significant differences were observed between two groups with respect to baseline demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics (P > 0.05). In IP group, more patients had complete ST segment resolution (>70%) compared with control group (P < 0.05). Patients in IP group showed lower levels of serum CK, CK‐MB and TnI, and a much higher myocardial blood flow (MBF) than those in control group (P < 0.05). No significant differences of TIMI major or minor bleeding complications were observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 6‐months follow‐up, there was a trend that patients in the IP group had a less chance to have MACE, though it was not statistically different (8.5% vs 12.5%, P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Intracoronary administration of prourokinase via balloon catheter during primary PCI effectively improved myocardial perfusion in STEMI patients.     

Sex‐based differences in bleeding and long‐term adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention in older patients with coronary artery disease

Objectives

Differences in outcomes for women and men after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in older patients remain controversial. Herein, we compared 2‐year outcomes by sex in Chinese older patients undergoing PCI.

Methods

A total of 4926 consecutive patients (33.6% women, age ≥60 years, mean age 67.4 ± 5.7 years) who underwent PCI at a single center in China from January 2013 to December 2013 were included in this study. The primary endpoint was 2‐year risk of bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium definitions. The secondary endpoints included 2‐year risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). Hazard ratios were generated using multivariable Cox regression.

Results

Compared with men, women had significantly higher rates of in‐hospital all‐cause mortality (0.8% vs 0.2%, P = 0.001), cardiac death (0.5% vs 0.1%, P = 0.006), MACCE (2.4% vs 1.5%, P = 0.017), and bleeding (0.4% vs 0.1%, P = 0.015). At 2‐year follow up, there were no differences between men and women for all‐cause mortality (1.9% vs 1.8%, P = 0.839) and 2‐year MACCE (13.1% vs 11.8%, P = 0.216). However, women had a higher risk of 2‐year bleeding (9.2% vs 6.2%, P < 0.001), which persisted after adjusting for baseline differences and treatment characteristics (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.06‐1.71; P = 0.014).

Conclusion

We found that older women undergoing PCI were at increased risk of 2‐year bleeding compared with men. Further dedicated studies are needed to confirm these findings.

     

Aspiration coronary thrombectomy for acute myocardial infarction increases myocardial salvage

Objectives : The aim of the study was to assess if aspiration thrombectomy in high risk patients with STEMI and angiographic evidence of thrombus may improve myocardial salvage. Background : It is unclear if thrombus aspiration before percutaneous intervention (PCI) improves myocardial salvage. Methods : The trial was a prospective randomized study. The inclusion criteria were: first STEMI within 12 hr from symptoms onset, culprit lesion in left anterior descending or right coronary artery, culprit artery TIMI flow ≤ 2 and angiographic evidence of thrombus. The primary endpoint was myocardial salvage index (MSI) as assessed by ^99mTc‐sestamibi SPECT imaging. Results : We randomized 137 patients (98 male, mean age 64.1 ± 12.5 years) either to aspiration thrombectomy followed by standard PCI with stent implantation (n = 67) or to standard primary PCI (n = 70). Index perfusion defect was similar in both study groups: 34.2% ± 13.1% in thrombectomy group versus 37.1% ± 12.0% in primary PCI group (P = 0.2). MSI was larger in aspiration thrombectomy group than in control patients [25.4% (IQR 13.5–44) vs. 18.5% (IQR 7.7–30.3) respectively, P = 0.02]. The final infarct size was smaller in patients treated with aspiration thrombectomy (23.1% ± 13.3% vs. 28.9% ± 10.2% in the control group, P = 0.002). Conclusions : Aspiration thrombectomy improves myocardial salvage in high risk STEMI patients with angiographic evidence of thrombus. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The prognostic role of mitral regurgitation after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute ST-Elevation myocardial infarction

Objectives : The aim of this study was to elucidate the prognostic significance of mitral regurgitation (MR) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Background : MR has prognostic implications after myocardial infarction (MI). However, for STEMI patients receiving primary PCI, the influence of MR on long‐term (3–5 years) outcome is unknown. Methods : We examined 888 STEMI patients receiving primary PCI enrolled in a prospective database at a regional STEMI center, who had an echocardiogram within 72 hr following successful primary PCI. MR was graded by color Doppler as none/trace vs. mild vs. moderate/severe. Mean ± SD follow‐up was 3.1 ± 1.4 years. Results : For patients with none/trace (n = 469), mild (n = 325), and moderate/severe (n = 94) MR, mortality at 3 years was 8.1%, 13.6%, and 25.7% and at 5 years was 12.7%, 18.3%, and 33.5%, respectively (P < 0.0001, log‐rank test). Patients with moderate/severe MR tended to be older (P < 0.0001) with lower ejection fraction (P < 0.0001) and were less likely to have had an anterior MI (P < 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality included age, creatinine, and heart rate. Conclusions : Following primary PCI for STEMI, echocardiographic detected MR in the first 72 hr following PCI stratifies mortality risk. However, when accounting for age, MR is not an independent predictor of mortality. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.