Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Previous Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background/Aims

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered a high-risk procedure in patients with previous acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, clinical studies are rare in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of ERCP in patients with previous ACS.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with previous ACS who underwent ERCP between January 2007 and August 2012. The clinical characteristics, ERCP diagnoses, treatment results, and complications were analyzed.

Results

Fifty patients underwent ERCP an average of 41.6 months after ACS. The most common indication for ERCP was calculous cholangitis. After deep biliary cannulation, endoscopic sphincterotomy, biliary stone removal and endoscopic biliary drainage were successfully performed. Immediate postsphincterotomy bleeding occurred in seven patients, which was successfully controlled using endoscopic therapy. Elevation of cardiac troponin I levels were observed in three patients (6%) before ERCP, and all of these patients were diagnosed with pancreatobiliary disease combined with recurrent ACS, which was treated with coronary artery stent insertion (n=2) and balloon angioplasty (n=1).

Conclusions

Therapeutic ERCP is effective and safe in patients with previous ACS. Cardiac troponin I elevation should be considered a warning sign for recurrent ACS in patients who undergo ERCP.     

Value of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide in predicting prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease in acute coronary syndrome

Background

Measurement of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the evaluation of patients with acute coronary syndrome has appeared to be a useful prognostic marker of cardiovascular risk.

Aim of the work

To assess the in-hospital prognostic value of NT-proBNP in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its relation to the severity of coronary artery disease.

Patients and methods

This study included 132 consecutive patients with ACS, 64 patients with unstable angina (UA), 46 patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and 22 patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ECG, echocardiography and pre and post coronary angiography measurement of troponin I, creatine kinase (Ck), C-reactive protein (CRP) and NT-proBNP were done. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A with NT-proBNP less than 474 pg/ml and Group B with NT-proBNP equal or more than 474 pg/ml.

Results

There was a significant negative correlation between NT-proBNP and ejection fraction. Incidence of heart failure and duration of hospital stay were significantly higher in Group B (with NT-proBNP equal or more than 474 pg/ml) than Group A (with NT-proBNP less than 474 pg/ml). Moreover, there was a trend to an increased incidence of cardiogenic shock and mortality in Group B compared to Group A. The number of coronary vessels affected, severity of stenosis and proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) disease were higher in Group B than in Group A. TIMI flow grade was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B.

Conclusion

NT-proBNP is a valuable marker for predicting prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome.     

Characteristics,treatment and one-year outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome in a tertiary hospital in India

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death in India. Data on outcome of CAD is scarce in the Indian population. This study determined the characteristics, treatment and one-year outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in an Indian Cardiac Centre.

Methods

We carried out a cross sectional retrospective analysis of 1468 ACS patients hospitalized between January 2008 and December 2010 and followed up for 1 year in the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. Mortality at 1 year, its determinants and 1 year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were determined.

Results

The patients were aged 62.2 ± 11.2 years; males (75.2%) and had ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (33.9%), non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (44.2%) and unstable angina (21.9%). Key pharmacotherapy included aspirin (98.2%), clopidogrel (95.1%), statins (95.6%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (50.6%) and beta blocker (83.1%). Angiography rate was 80.6%. In the STEMI group, 53.3% had primary angioplasty, 20.3% were thrombolysed and 16.1% received sole medical therapy. Overall coronary artery bypass graft rate was 12.4%. At one year, all-cause mortality and composite MACE were 2.5% and 9.7%, respectively. MACE included death (2.5%), reinfarction (4.0%), resuscitated cardiac arrest (1.8%), stroke (1.1%) and bleeding (0.4%). Main factors associated with mortality were combined left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction (OR = 20.0, 95% CI = 6.63–69.4) and positive troponin I (OR = 12.56, 95% CI = 1.78–25.23). Troponin I independently predicted mortality.

Conclusions

ACS population was older than previously described in India. Evidence-based pharmacotherapy and interventions, and outcomes were comparable to the developed nations.     

Age and its relationship to acute coronary syndromes in the Saudi Project for Assessment of Coronary Events (SPACE) registry: The SPACE age study

Objective

To characterize risk profile of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in different age groups and compare management provided to in-hospital outcome.

Design

Prospective multi-hospital registry.

Setting

Seventeen secondary and tertiary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Patients

Five thousand and fifty-five patients with ACS. They were divided into four groups: ⩽40 years, 41–55 years, 56–70 years and ⩾70 years. Main outcome measures: prevalence, utilization and mortality.Results: Ninety-four percent of patients <40 years compared to 68% of patients >70 years were men. Diabetes was present in 70% of patients aged 56–70 years. Smoking was present in 66% of those <40 years compared to 7% of patients >70 years. Fifty-three percent of the patients >70 years and 25% of those <40 years had history of ischemic heart disease. Sixty percent of patients <40 years presented with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) while non-ST elevation myocardial infarction was the presentation in 49% of patients >70 years. Thirty-four percent of patients >70 years compared to 10% of patients <40 years presented >12 h from symptom onset with STEMI. Fifty-four percent of patients >70 compared to 64–71% of those <70 years had coronary angiography. Twenty-four percent of patients >70 compared to 34–40% of those <70 years had percutaneous coronary intervention. Reperfusion shortfall for STEMI was 16–18% in patients >56 years compared to 11% in patients <40 years. Mortality was 7% in patients >70 years compared to 1.6–3% in patients <70 years. For all comparisons (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Young and old ACS patients have unique risk factors and present differently. Older patients have higher in-hospital mortality as they are treated less aggressively. There is an urgent need for a national prevention program as well as a systematic improvement in the care for patients with ACS including a system of care for STEMI patients. For older patients there is a need to identify medical as well as social factors that influence the therapeutic management plans.     

Cardiac catheterisation in nonagenarians: Single center experience

Objective To explore the treatment, procedure related risks, and outcomes of patients older than 90 years of age undergoing cardiac catheterization. Methods We retrospectively studied 32 patients ≥ 90 years (93.0 ± 1.2 years) who underwent cardiac catheterisation in a tertiary specialist hospital (0.2% of 14,892 procedures during three years). The results were compared to a patient cohort younger than 90 years of age. Results Baseline characteristics revealed a higher prevalence of diabetes (P < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P < 0.04), previous myocardial infarction (P < 0.02), and complex coronary anatomy (SYNTAX score 33 vs. 19) in nonagenarians. Patients < 90 years of age showed more hyperlipidemia (P < 0.01) and previous percutaneous coronary interventions (P < 0.015). Nonagenarians underwent coronary angiography more often for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (P < 0.003), were presented more often in cardiogenic shock (P < 0.003), and were transferred faster to coronary angiography in cases of ACS (P < 0.0001). The observed in-hospital mortality rate (13% study group vs. 1% control group; P < 0.003) in nonagenarians was lower than the calculated rate of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) and global registry of acute cardiac events (GRACE) mortality and strongly influenced by the severity of clinical presentation and the presence of co-morbidities. Conclusions Despite the common scepticism that cardiac catheterisation exposes patients ≥ 90 years to an unwarranted risk, our data demonstrate an acceptable incidence of complications and mortality in this group of patients.     

Lack of an association between connexin-37, stromelysin-1, plasminogen activator-inhibitor type 1 and lymphotoxin-alpha genes and acute coronary syndrome in Czech Caucasians

BACKGROUND:

The majority of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cases cannot be explained by the analysis of commonly recognized risk factors; thus, the analysis of possible genetic predispositions is of interest. The genes for connexin-37, stromelysin-1, plasminogen activator-inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and lymphotoxin-alpha are among many presently known candidate genes that are associated with risk factors for ACS.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify the potential impact of the functional variants of connexin-37, stromelysin-1, PAI-1 and lymphotoxin-alpha on ACS in a Caucasian Czech population.

METHODS:

A total of 1399 consecutive patients (1016 men and 383 women) with ACS from five coronary care units located in Prague (Czech Republic) were analyzed; a representative sample of 2559 healthy individuals (1191 men and 1368 women) were also genotyped and served as controls.

RESULTS:

The gene variants analyzed were not significantly associated with the prevalence of ACS or the classical risk factors of ACS development such as high plasma lipid levels, hypertension, diabetes, high body mass index or smoking.

CONCLUSION:

In a Caucasian Czech population sample, genetic variants of connexin-37, stromelysin-1, PAI-1 and lymphotoxin-alpha were not significantly associated with a predisposition toward ACS.     

Is frailty associated with short-term outcomes for elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome?

Background Frailty is a new prognostic factor in cardiovascular medicine due to the aging and increasingly complex nature of elderly patients. It is useful and meaningful to prospectively analyze the manner in which frailty predicts short-term outcomes for elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Patients aged ? 65 years, with diagnosis of ACS from cardiology department and geriatrics department were included from single-center. Clinical data including geriatrics syndromes were collected using Comprehensive Geriatrics Assessment. Frailty was defined according to the Clinical Frailty Scale and the impact of the co-morbidities on risk was quantified by the coronary artery disease (CAD)—specific index. Patients were followed up by clinical visit or telephone consultation and the median follow-up time is 120 days. Following-up items included all-cause mortality, unscheduled return visit, in-hospital and recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events. Multivariable regression survival analysis was performed using Cox regression. Results Of the 352 patients, 152 (43.18%) were considered frail according to the study instrument (5?7 on the scale), and 93 (26.42%) were considered moderately or severely frail (6?7 on the scale). Geriatrics syndromes including incontinence, fall history, visual impairment, hearing impairment, constipation, chronic pain, sleeping disorder, dental problems, anxiety or depression, and delirium were more frequently in frail patients than in non-frail patients (P = 0.000, 0.031, 0.009, 0.014, 0.000, 0.003, 0.022, 0.000, 0.074, and 0.432, respectively). Adjusted for sex, age, severity of coronary artery diseases (left main coronary artery lesion or not) and co-morbidities (CAD specific index) by Cox survival analysis, frailty was found to be strongly and independently associated with risk for the primary composite outcomes: all-cause mortality [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 5.393; 95% CI: 1.477?19.692, P = 0.011] and unscheduled return visit (HR = 2.832; 95% CI: 1.140?7.037, P = 0.025). Conclusions Comprehensive Geriatrics Assessment and Clinical Frail Scale were useful in evaluation of elderly patients with ACS. Frailty was strongly and independently associated with short-term outcomes for elderly patients with ACS.     

Complementary prognostic values of ST segment deviation and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score in non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes: Insights from the Platelet Receptor Inhibition in Ischemic Syndrome Management in Patients Limited by Unstable Signs and Symptoms (PRISM-PLUS) study

BACKGROUND:

Although the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score incorporates ST deviation, it does not account for characteristics of the ST deviations. In the present study, it was hypothesized that the magnitude and characteristics of ST deviation may add to the prognostic values of the TIMI risk score in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, particularly in lower-risk patients with a TIMI risk score of less than 5.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the prognostic value of combining the TIMI risk score and characteristics of ST deviation in patients with non-ST elevation ACS and a TIMI risk score of less than 5.

METHODS:

The death/myocardial infarction (MI) rates of 1296 patients enrolled in the Platelet Receptor Inhibition in Ischemic Syndrome Management in Patients Limited by Unstable Signs and Symptoms (PRISM-PLUS) angiographic substudy were examined.

RESULTS:

Patients without a TIMI risk score of 5 or greater, and without an ST deviation of 1 mm or greater had the lowest six-month rate of death/MI (5%). In patients with a TIMI risk score of less than 5, the six-month death/MI rate was increased in those with ST depression of 2 mm or greater compared with patients with a similar TIMI risk score and without ST deviation of 1 mm or greater (24% versus 5%, P<0.001). The presence of ST deviation of 2 mm or greater identified an additional 15% of patients with an increased six-month death/MI rate in patients with a TIMI risk score of less than 5.

CONCLUSION:

ST segment deviation of 2 mm or greater confers additional prognostic information in non-ST elevation ACS patients with a TIMI risk score of less than 5. Patients with a TIMI risk score of less than 5 and ST deviation of 2 mm or less had the lowest risk of six-month death/MI.     

The Saudi Project for Assessment of Coronary Events (SPACE) registry: Design and results of a phase I pilot study

OBJECTIVE:

The delay between the availability of clinical evidence and its application to the care of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains undefined. The Saudi Project for Assessment of Coronary Events (SPACE) registry provides a comprehensive view of the current diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with ACS; thus, the registry may be used to identify opportunities to improve the care of these patients.

METHODS:

Eight hospitals in different regions of Saudi Arabia were involved in the pilot phase of the registry, from December 2005 to July 2006. The study patients included individuals with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI and unstable angina.

RESULTS:

A total of 435 patients (77% men and 80% Saudis) with a mean age of 57.1 years were enrolled. Medical history included previously diagnosed ischemic heart disease (32%), percutaneous coronary intervention (12%), diabetes mellitus (53%), hypertension (48%), current smoking (39%), hyperlipidemia (31%) and family history of premature coronary artery disease (11%). The median door-to-needle time for fibrinolytic therapy received by patients with STEMIs was 90 min. Inhospital medications included acetylsalicylic acid (98%), clopidogrel (73%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (74%), beta-blockers (73%), statins (88%), unfractionated heparin (80%), low-molecular weight heparin (22%) and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (9%). The inhospital mortality rate was 5%.

CONCLUSION:

The first nationwide registry of patients with ACS in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is presented. In contrast to registries from developed countries, our cohort is characterized by a younger age at presentation and a much higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Most patients with STEMIs did not receive fibrinolytic therapy within the time recommended in the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. The results of the present pilot study show potential targets for improvement in care.     

Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Very Elderly：One-center Experience in a Chinese Patient Group

Objective To investigate the clinical and perioperative characteristics of patients ≥ 75 who undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to evaluate the risk factors related to short-term post-PCI mortality in this specific patients group. Methods 1,035 consecutive subjects who underwent PCI from December 2011 to November 2013 were divided into four categories: (1) patients with stable angina (SA) ≥ 75 years (n = 58); (2) patients with SA < 75 years (n = 218); (3) patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) ≥ 75 years (n = 155); (4) patients with ACS < 75 years (n = 604). A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to detect risk factors of six-month mortality in patients ≥ 75 years who had undergone PCI. Clinical comorbidities, in-hospital biochemical indicators, perioperative data, in-hospital and six-month outcomes were analyzed and compared among the four groups. Results Compared with the younger group, pa?tients ≥ 75 years were more likely to have hypertension, history of stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral vascular disease, cardiogenic shock and malignant arrhythmia, and they were admitted to hospital with relative lower weight, hemoglobin, albumin, trigly?ceride, higher creatinine, uric acid, urea nitrogen and pro-BNP. Left main artery lesions, multi-vessel, calcified lesions, chronic totally occlusion were also more likely to be seen in the elderly group. Univariate analysis revealed that age ≥ 85 years, cardiogenic shock or severe arrhythmia at admission, emergency PCI, prior stroke and chronic kidney disease were related to six-month mortality in elderly patients ≥ 75 years who underwent PCI. Multivariable logistic regression showed that cardiogenic shock or severe arrhythmia at admission, chronic kidney disease and prior stroke were independent risk factors predicting six-month mortality in elderly patients ≥ 75 years who had undergone PCI. Conclusions Our data showed that, compared with patients under 75 years, elderly patients (≥ 75 years) who had undergone PCI had a relative higher risk of mortality, and more often accompanied with multi-comorbidities, severer admission conditions and complex coronary lesions. Better eva?luation of risk factors and more intensively care should be taken to patients ≥ 75 years who had undergone PCI therapy to reduce complications.     

Left Atrial Volume Index and Prediction of Events in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Solar Registry

Background

According to some international studies, patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and increased left atrial volume index (LAVI) have worse long-term prognosis. However, national Brazilian studies confirming this prediction are still lacking.

Objective

To evaluate LAVI as a predictor of major cardiovascular events (MCE) in patients with ACS during a 365-day follow-up.

Methods

Prospective cohort of 171 patients diagnosed with ACS whose LAVI was calculated within 48 hours after hospital admission. According to LAVI, two groups were categorized: normal LAVI (≤ 32 mL/m²) and increased LAVI (> 32 mL/m²). Both groups were compared regarding clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, in- and out-of-hospital outcomes, and occurrence of ECM in up to 365 days.

Results

Increased LAVI was observed in 78 patients (45%), and was associated with older age, higher body mass index, hypertension, history of myocardial infarction and previous angioplasty, and lower creatinine clearance and ejection fraction. During hospitalization, acute pulmonary edema was more frequent in patients with increased LAVI (14.1% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.024). After discharge, the occurrence of combined outcome for MCE was higher (p = 0.001) in the group with increased LAVI (26%) as compared to the normal LAVI group (7%) [RR (95% CI) = 3.46 (1.54-7.73) vs. 0.80 (0.69-0.92)]. After Cox regression, increased LAVI increased the probability of MCE (HR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.28-7.40, p = 0.012).

Conclusion

Increased LAVI is an important predictor of MCE in a one-year follow-up.     

Association of matrix Gla protein gene allelic polymorphisms (G?7→A,T?138→C and Thr83→Ala) with acute coronary syndrome in the Ukrainian population

BACKGROUND:

Several allelic variants of matrix γ-carboxyglutamic acid protein (MGP) can differentially affect the development of certain forms of ischemic heart disease depending on specific characteristics of each population.

OBJECTIVE:

To study the distribution of allelic variants of MGP promoter T⁻¹³⁸→C (rs1800802) and G⁻⁷→A (rs1800801), and Thr₈₃→Ala exon 4 (rs4236) polymorphisms in a Ukrainian population of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS:

Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis were used to detect the above-mentioned variants of the MGP gene in 115 patients with ACS and in 140 essentially healthy individuals.

RESULTS:

The distribution of homozygous carriers of a major allelic variant, and heterozygous and homozygous minor allele variants of the T⁻¹³⁸→C MGP promoter polymorphism in patients with ACS were 59.8%, 32.7% and 7.5%, respectively. The corresponding distributions of variants in the control group were 54.0%, 41.0% and 5.0%, respectively (P>0.05 [χ² test]). With respect to the G⁻⁷→A polymorphism, the respective distributions were 42.1%, 45.6% and 12.3%, compared with 50.7%, 45.0% and 4.3% in the control group, respectively (P<0.05). Finally, the respective distributions according to the Thr₈₃→Ala exon 4 polymorphism were 42.6%, 43.5% and 13.9%, respectively, compared with 45.3%, 43.0% and 11.7% in the control group. Using logistic regression analysis, it was estimated that the A/A genotype (G⁻⁷→A polymorphism) was significantly (P=0.02) associated with ACS (OR 4.302 [95% CI 1.262 to 14.673]).

CONCLUSION:

The allelic A/A promoter variant of MGP G⁻⁷→A polymorphism can be considered a risk factor for ACS in the Ukrainian population.     

The use of risk scores for stratification of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome patients

OBJECTIVE:

To review the methods available for the risk stratification of non-ST elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and to evaluate the use of risk scores for their initial risk assessment.

DATA SOURCES:

The data of the present review were identified by searching PUBMED and other databases (1996 to 2008) using the key terms “risk stratification”, “risk scores”, “NSTEMI”, “UA” and “acute coronary syndrome”.

STUDY SELECTION:

Mainly original articles, guidelines and critical reviews written by major pioneer researchers in this field were selected.

RESULT:

After evaluation of several risk predictors and risk scores, it was found that estimating risk based on clinical characteristics is challenging and imprecise. Risk predictors, whether used alone or in simple binary combination, lacked sufficient precision because they have high specificity but low sensitivity. Risk scores are more accurate at stratifying NSTE ACS patients into low-, intermediate- or high-risk groups. The Global Registry of Acute Cardiac Events risk score was found to have superior predictive accuracy compared with other risk scores in ACS population. Treatments based according to specific clinical and risk grouping show that certain benefits may be predominantly or exclusively restricted to higher risk patients.

CONCLUSION:

Based on the trials in the literature, the Global Registry of Acute Cardiac Events risk score is more advantageous and easier to use than other risk scores. It can categorize a patient’s risk of death and/or ischemic events, which can help tailor therapy to match the intensity of the patient’s NSTE ACS.     

Role of “Ischemia Modified Albumin” (IMA) in acute coronary syndromes

Background

Diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is important, due to the associated very high mortality. Failure to diagnose ACS is a problem both for the patients and the clinicians. Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) has already been licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration for the diagnosis of suspected myocardial ischemia.

Methods

Patients attending the emergency department (ED) within 6 h after having features of ACS were selected. IMA was done on admission. Blinded to the IMA results patients were fully evaluated and a diagnosis of non-ischemic chest pain (NICP), unstable angina (UA) or myocardial infarction (MI) was made. Later IMA results were correlated in each group.

Results

Mean IMA value was 56.38 ± 23.89 u/ml in NICP group whereas in UA group it was 89.00 ± 7.76 u/ml and MI group was 87.50 ± 9.62 u/ml. This showed a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 87%. The positive predictive value of the test was 88% and negative predictive value was 94%. In 16 patients an early diagnosis could be made when compared with Trop-T. Of the 89 patients 11 patients died in hospital. The IMA value was compared between this group and the patients who survived. Patients who died had a mean IMA value of 88.5 with a standard deviation of 5.33 whereas in patients who survived the mean value was 78.26 which was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

In conclusion the benefit of the test would be to rule out ACS in patients who present early to ED with inconclusive diagnosis.     

Does C-reactive Protein Add Prognostic Value to GRACE Score in Acute Coronary Syndromes?

Background

The incremental prognostic value of plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in relation to GRACE score has not been established in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with non-ST segment elevation.

Objective

To test the hypothesis that CRP measurements at admission increases the prognostic value of GRACE score in patients with ACS.

Methods

A total of 290 subjects, consecutively admitted for ACS, with plasma material obtained upon admission CRP measurement using a high-sensitivity method (nephelometry) were studied. Cardiovascular outcomes during hospitalization were defined by the combination of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal refractory angina.

Results

The incidence of cardiovascular events during hospitalization was 15% (18 deaths, 11 myocardial infarctions, 13 angina episodes) with CRP showing C-statistics of 0.60 (95% CI = 0.51-0.70, p = 0.034) in predicting these outcomes. After adjustment for the GRACE score, elevated CRP (defined as the best cutoff point) tended to be associated with hospital events (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.92 to 3.88, p = 0.08). However, the addition of the variable elevated CRP in the GRACE model did not result in significant increase in C-statistics, which ranged from 0.705 to 0.718 (p = 0.46). Similarly, there was no significant reclassification of risk with the addition of CRP in the predictor model (net reclassification = 5.7 %, p = 0.15).

Conclusion

Although CRP is associated with hospital outcomes, this inflammatory marker does not increase the prognostic value of the GRACE score.     

Relationships of adiponectin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 ratio with coronary plaque morphology in patients with acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVES:

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-specific protein, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) play a crucial role in arteriosclerosis and plaque disruption. The present study was designed to elucidate the relationship of adiponectin and the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 and their effects on the stability of plaque in acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS:

The concentrations of adiponectin, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and interleukin-10 were analyzed using ELISA in 56 consecutive unselected patients divided into two groups, stable angina (n=13) and ACS (n=43), and were compared with 19 healthy control subjects. The 56 patients were also angiographically studied and divided into two groups, simple lesion (n=22) and complex lesion (n=34), based on coronary plaque morphology.

RESULTS:

The ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 showed significantly higher values in the ACS group compared with the control group (0.22±0.10 versus 0.11±0.03; P<0.001). Adiponectin was negatively correlated with the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 (r=–0.332; P=0.008) and positively correlated with interleukin-10 (r=0.651; P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that adiponectin (P=0.046) and MMP-9/TIMP-1 (P=0.044) are independent predictors for ACS, and MMP-9/TIMP-1 (P=0.013) is an independent predictor for complex lesion morphology plaques.

CONCLUSION:

In the present study, it was found that adiponectin has a negative relationship with the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in patients with ACS, and that the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 is an independent predictor of the stability of atherosclerotic plaque and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis.     

Impact of concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors and clopidogrel or ticagrelor on clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background There is great debate on the possible adverse interaction between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and clopidogrel. In addition, whether the use of PPIs affects the clinical efficacy of ticagrelor remains less known. We aimed to determine the impact of concomitant administration of PPIs and clopidogrel or ticagrelor on clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from a “real world”, international, multi-center registry between 2003 and 2014 (n = 15,401) and assessed the impact of concomitant administration of PPIs and clopidogrel or ticagrelor on 1-year composite primary endpoint (all-cause death, re-infarction, or severe bleeding) in patients with ACS after PCI. Results Of 9,429 patients in the final cohort, 54.8% (n = 5165) was prescribed a PPI at discharge. Patients receiving a PPI were older, more often female, and were more likely to have comorbidities. No association was observed between PPI use and the primary endpoint for patients receiving clopidogrel (adjusted HR: 1.036; 95% CI: 0.903–1.189) or ticagrelor (adjusted HR: 2.320; 95% CI: 0.875–6.151) (P_interaction = 0.2004). Similarly, use of a PPI was not associated with increased risk of all-cause death, re-infarction, or a decreased risk of severe bleeding for patients treated with either clopidogrel or ticagrelor. Conclusions In patients with ACS following PCI, concomitant use of PPIs was not associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients receiving either clopidogrel or ticagrelor. Our findings indicate it is reasonable to use a PPI in combination with clopidogrel or ticagrelor, especially in patients with a higher risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.     

Trends in postacute myocardial infarction management and mortality in patients with diabetes. A population-based study from 1995 to 2001

OBJECTIVE:

To compare trends in coronary revascularization use and case fatality rate (CFR) following acute myocardial infarction in patients with and without diabetes.

METHODS:

A retrospective study of 77,552 patients, 20 years of age or older (25% with diabetes), who were hospitalized for a first acute myocardial infarction in the province of Quebec between April 1995 and December 2001 was conducted. Administrative databases were used to identify patients and assess outcomes.

RESULTS:

Compared with patients without diabetes, patients with diabetes underwent more coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries (11.1% versus 8.3%; P<0.0001) but fewer percutaneous coronary interventions (17.1% versus 20.2%; P<0.0001). The use of percutaneous coronary intervention increased substantially over time in both populations, driven mainly by an increase during the index admission (20.6% versus 16.6% per year; P=0.1144 in patients with and without diabetes, respectively). The use of CABG during the index admission increased markedly among patients with diabetes compared with those without (10.3% versus 5.3% per year; P=0.0072); however, at one-year following discharge, CABG use remained stable in patients with diabetes and fell in those without (−0.7% versus −5.3% per year; P=0.2046). Concomitantly, patients with diabetes presented a similar decline in CFR compared with patients without diabetes. The decline was more pronounced during the index admission (−5.0% versus −4.1% per year; P=0.282) than at one-year following discharge (−2.5% versus −2.5% per year; P=0.629) in patients with and without diabetes, respectively. However, fatal outcome remained higher in patients with diabetes than without, with an adjusted RR of 1.21 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.24) at one-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION:

Overall, coronary revascularization use and CFR improved over time in patients with diabetes. Nevertheless, the mortality rate in patients with diabetes remains higher than in patients without diabetes, indicating that additional progress is required to improve the poorer prognosis in this population.     

The Bleeding Risk Score as a Mortality Predictor in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background

It is well known that the occurrence of bleeding increases in-hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and there is a good correlation between bleeding risk scores and bleeding incidence. However, the role of bleeding risk score as mortality predictor is poorly studied.

Objective

The main purpose of this paper was to analyze the role of bleeding risk score as in-hospital mortality predictor in a cohort of patients with ACS treated in a single cardiology tertiary center.

Methods

Out of 1,655 patients with ACS (547 with ST-elevation ACS and 1,118 with non-ST-elevation ACS), we calculated the ACUITY/HORIZONS bleeding score prospectively in 249 patients and retrospectively in the remaining 1,416. Mortality information and hemorrhagic complications were also obtained.

Results

Among the mean age of 64.3 ± 12.6 years, the mean bleeding score was 18 ± 7.7. The correlation between bleeding and mortality was highly significant (p < 0.001, OR = 5.296), as well as the correlation between bleeding score and in-hospital bleeding (p < 0.001, OR = 1.058), and between bleeding score and in-hospital mortality (adjusted OR = 1.121, p < 0.001, area under the ROC curve 0.753, p < 0.001). The adjusted OR and area under the ROC curve for the population with ST-elevation ACS were, respectively, 1.046 (p = 0.046) and 0.686 ± 0.040 (p < 0.001); for non-ST-elevation ACS the figures were, respectively, 1.150 (p < 0.001) and 0.769 ± 0.036 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Bleeding risk score is a very useful and highly reliable predictor of in-hospital mortality in a wide range of patients with acute coronary syndromes, especially in those with unstable angina or non-ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction.     

Level of Physical Activity and In-Hospital Course of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the modern world. A sedentary lifestyle, present in 85% of the Brazilian population, is considered a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease. However, the correlation of a sedentary lifestyle with cardiovascular events (CVE) during hospitalization for ACS is not well established.

Objective

To evaluate the association between physical activity level, assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), with in-hospital prognosis in patients with ACS.

Methods

Observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study with 215 subjects with a diagnosis of ACS consecutively admitted to a referral hospital for cardiac patients between July 2009 and February 2011. All volunteers answered the short version of the IPAQ and were observed for the occurrence of CVE during hospitalization with a standardized assessment conducted by the researcher and corroborated by data from medical records.

Results

The patients were admitted with diagnoses of unstable angina (34.4%), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) without ST elevation (41.4%), and AMI with ST elevation (24.2%). According to the level of physical activity, the patients were classified as non-active (56.3%) and active (43.7%). A CVE occurred in 35.3% of the cohort. The occurrence of in-hospital complications was associated with the length of hospital stay (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15) and physical inactivity (OR = 2.54), and was independent of age, systolic blood pressure, and prior congestive heart failure.

Conclusion

A physically active lifestyle reduces the risk of CVE during hospitalization in patients with ACS.