An invasive strategy in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. From large trials to the real world

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We report the impact on prognosis of an invasive strategy used at our center for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We analyzed 504 consecutive patients with typical chest pain, electrocardiographic changes or increased troponin I serum values, who were divided into 2 cohorts: a) conservative group, 272 patients admitted between October 2001 and September 2002 and managed with a conservative strategy, and b) invasive group, 232 patients admitted between October 2002 and September 2003 for whom an invasive strategy was recommended. We recorded major events (death or reinfarction) and minor events (readmission or need for postdischarge revascularization) within a 12-week follow-up period. RESULTS: In the invasive group in-hospital angioplasty (21% vs 35%, P<.0001) and in-hospital revascularization (33% vs 48%, P=.001) increased. There were no significant differences between the conservative and the invasive group regarding major events (17% vs 15%). The invasive group was associated with a reduction in minor events (17% vs 9%, P=.01). The incidence of any event was reduced (28% vs 20%, P=.04). In the multivariate analysis for the whole group (n=504) the invasive strategy significantly reduced minor events (hazard ratio 0.5 [0.3-0.8], P=.008) and any event (hazard ratio 0.5 [0.3-0.8], P=.005), but not major events (hazard ratio 0.6 [0.4-1.1], P=.09). CONCLUSIONS: The results observed in recent randomized clinical trials regarding the use of an invasive strategy were confirmed in the real world. In the short term, the benefits seem to be confined to a reduction in minor events, i.e., fewer readmissions and less need for postdischarge revascularization.     

Appropriate invasive and conservative strategies for patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review focuses on recent developments in three controversial areas of management of acute coronary syndromes. RECENT FINDINGS: There are potential benefits of an early invasive treatment strategy (routine cardiac catheterization and revascularization when appropriate) in the elderly, who are at high risk for adverse outcomes and treatment-related complications following acute coronary syndromes. There are developments in the role of low-molecular-weight heparin agents in management of acute coronary syndromes in the modern treatment era, in which early coronary revascularization and use of other potent antiplatelet and antithrombin agents are common. Finally, this review looks at emerging data and controversy regarding the effects of intensive lipid-lowering treatment early after acute coronary syndrome. Recent clinical trials have yielded contradictory results. SUMMARY: This paper evaluates recent evidence in acute coronary syndromes regarding early invasive revascularization strategies in high risk elderly patients, and also discusses controversies regarding the role of low molecular weight heparin and intensive statin regimens.     

中高危非ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征早期侵入与早期保守策略的评价

目的　了解早期侵入与早期保守策略对中高危非ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者住院主要不良心脏事件(MACE)发生情况的影响。方法　根据入院后冠状动脉造影(CAG)与否和时间(≤48h与>48h)对910例中高危非ST段抬高ACS患者分为早期侵入策略组(n=237)和早期保守策略(n=673)两组,分析早期策略与血管重建方式对住院MACE(包括死亡、新发心肌梗死和靶血管再次血管重建)的关系。结果　早期侵入与早期保守组的住院病死率和靶血管血管重建率相当,早期侵入组的住院时间较短,住院MACE(6. 3%比2 .5%,OR0 .384, 95% CI0 188~0 .781,P=0 .006)与新发心肌梗死(4. 6%比0 .9%,OR0 .185, 95% CI0 068~0 .505,P=0.001)的发生率更高。早期侵入组MACE与新发心肌梗死的增加可能与其血管重建操作较多( 86 .9%比67. 5%,P<0 .001)有关。亚组分析显示,早期侵入组与早期保守组中接受经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)的患者新发心肌梗死、靶血管再次血管重建(TVR)和MACE发生率均相当,无1例死亡;而早期侵入组中接受冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)的患者新发心肌梗死的发生率高于早期保守组中接受CABG的患者(7 .5%比1 .8%,P=0 .027)。结论　中高危非ST段抬高ACS患者采取早期侵入策略不增加住院病死率,但有可能增加住院心肌梗死。早期PCI安全可行     

Chronic kidney disease in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Purpose

Chronic kidney disease has been linked to high mortality rates in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction but has not been well described for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. We examined the treatment and outcomes of patients with both non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes and moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.

Subjects and Methods

We evaluated 45 343 patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes enrolled in the CRUSADE Quality Improvement Initiative and compared treatments and outcomes in patients with and without moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.

Results

Patients presenting with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease (n = 6560) were older, more often diabetic, and more likely to present with signs of congestive heart failure. Adherence to Class IA/IB guidelines recommendations was lower in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, who were significantly less likely to be treated with medications, undergo invasive cardiac procedures, and be given discharge counseling. Moderate to severe chronic kidney disease was associated with a 50% increased risk of mortality and a 70% increased likelihood of transfusion. Despite having a higher risk of adverse outcomes, patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease were treated less aggressively than patients with normal renal function.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that, in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease, safety concerns about adverse outcomes and the absence of trial data for this population may limit the use of guidelines-recommended therapies and interventions for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. The decreased use of discharge counseling in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease and non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes may represent therapeutic nihilism.     

Initial experience with a magnetic navigation system for invasive treatment in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Background: Magnetic navigation system (MNS) assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (MPCI) has been demonstrated an advantage over conventional PCI (CPCI) in complex lesions and tortuous vessels. However, the benefits of MNS in clinical unstable and vulnerable lesions were little studied. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of MPCI versus CPCI in patients with non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE‐ACS). Methods: Thirty‐seven consecutive patients with NSTE‐ACS undergoing MPCI were compared with 37 matched CPCI patients selected from the same concurrent database. Time to cross lesion, fluoroscopy time, and contrast usage to cross lesion were used as primary end‐points. Results: Of the 37 culprit lesions in MPCI, 36 were crossed successfully giving a success rate of 97.3%. The procedure and the fluoroscopy time to cross the lesion were similar between the magnetic and conventional PCI groups (82.0 ± 67.9 seconds vs. 85.8 ± 59.2 seconds, P = 0.692, and 62.6 ± 57.6 seconds vs. 65.4 ± 49.5 seconds, P = 0.738, respectively). In Type A/B1 lesions, there seemed no difference in contrast use (2.7 ± 0.7 mL vs. 3.3 ± 0.9 mL, P = 0.284). But as lesion complexity increased from type B2 to C, significantly less contrast was needed in type B2 (5.1 ± 2.6 mL vs. 7.9 ± 4.0 mL, P = 0.019) and type C (9.8 ± 5.7 mL vs. 14.7 ± 7.4 mL, P = 0.030). No major adverse cardiac events were observed in either the MPCI or CPCI group. Conclusions: MNS assisted technique appears to be feasible and effective in NSTE‐ACS patients with more complex lesions; however, it probably offers little benefit in simple lesions like ACC/AHA type A/B1. (J Interven Cardiol 2011;24:549–554)     

Gender differences in patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. Implications for invasive management

Sex differences have been observed in the clinical profile, prognosis, and treatment of patients with unstable ischemic heart disease. Men tend to receive more invasive management. We assessed these differences in 823 consecutive patients (543 men) with possible acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation who were seen since our chest pain unit opened. A protocol for the management of unstable ischemic heart disease was followed. Women had a worse baseline clinical profile but men more frequently had a positive exercise stress test. Univariate analysis showed that angiography and revascularization procedures were performed more often in men. However, multivariate analysis did not confirm male sex as an independent predictor of the need for a more invasive strategy. The inauguration of a chest pain unit and application of a protocol for the management of unstable ischemic heart disease has helped to correct case stratification and optimize the application of invasive treatments.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention in diabetic patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Key pathophysiologic mechanisms of diabetes-related coronary disease include inflammation and a prothrombotic state. In the setting of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes diabetic patients are at high risk for subsequent cardiovascular events. At the same time, they derive greater benefit than non-diabetic counterparts from aggressive antithrombotic therapy, early coronary angiography, and stent-based percutaneous coronary intervention. The mainstays of antithrombotic therapy for diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous revascularization include aspirin, clopidogrel, platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists, and heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin. Despite dramatic reduction in restenosis conferred by drug-eluting stents, diabetic patients remain at increased risk for repeat revascularization. More efforts are needed both in terms of local drug elution as well as systemic pharmacologic therapies to further contain the excessive neointimal proliferation that characterizes the diabetic response to vascular injury.     

曲美他嗪治疗非ST抬高急性冠脉综合征的临床观察

目的：观察曲美他嗪与常规药物相结合治疗非ST段抬高的急性冠脉综合征（NSTEACS）的疗效。方法：60例NSTEACS被随机分为治疗组及对照组各30例,对照组常规给予硝酸酯类、抗血小板药物、β受体阻滞剂、低分子肝素;治疗组在常规治疗的基础上加用曲美嗪20mg,3次/d,连续观察4周,观察胸痛消失率、动态心电图的变化（ST-T改变及恶性心律失常发生率）及心率,血压的变化。结果：治疗组胸痛消失率、ST-T改善更为明显,恶性心律失常发生率明显减少（P〈0.05）,曲美他嗪对心率、血压无影响（P〉0.05）。结论：在常规治疗NSTEACS基础上联合应用曲美他嗪可以改善心肌缺血,减少胸痛的发作次数及恶性心律失常发生率,对血液动力学无影响,是安全、有效的治疗方法。     

介入治疗在非ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征中的价值

目的　比较不稳定心绞痛和非ST段抬高心肌梗死患者介入治疗和药物治疗的疗效。方法　 2 0 0 0年 1月至 2 0 0 1年 6月我院心脏科收治的不稳定心绞痛和非ST段抬高心肌梗死患者共2 4 9例 ,按治疗方法的不同分为药物保守治疗组和介入治疗组。介入治疗组在药物治疗的基础上于入院后 3～ 7d根据冠状动脉造影结果行血管重建术。随访患者的心源性死亡率和 (或 )急性心肌梗死发生率 (主要终点 ) ,心绞痛复发率、再入院率和再次血管重建率 (次要终点 )。结果　 16 3例患者接受药物治疗 ,2 4 9例患者行介入治疗。在平均 (11 0± 5 7)个月的随访中 ,介入治疗组心源性死亡率和 (或 )急性心肌梗死发生率明显低于药物保守治疗组 (3 2 %比 9 2 % ,P =0 0 1) ;心绞痛复发率(2 0 %比 5 3% ,P =0 0 0 1)、再入院率 (16 %比 4 7% ,P =0 0 0 1)和再次血管重建率 (15 %比 4 2 % ,P =0 0 0 1)也明显低于药物保守治疗组。结论　介入治疗可显著改善不稳定心绞痛和非ST段抬高心肌梗死患者的预后 ,可作为大多数患者的首选治疗策略。     

Revascularization and prognosis in female patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: After an acute myocardial infarction, women have a higher risk of death or reinfarction. In unstable angina, female gender seems to be protective. On the other hand, studies suggest that women are less frequently given coronary angiography. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, in our population of patients admitted for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the influence of gender in prognosis and in the use of invasive procedures. POPULATION AND METHODS: We studied 387 consecutive patients, 20% female, admitted to our ICU for non-ST-segment elevation ACS. We compared demographic and clinical variables, the use of coronary angiography and myocardial revascularization procedures, according to gender. We analyzed the combined endpoint of death or (re)infarction at 30 days and for the total follow-up period of 420 +/- 322 days. RESULTS: The women were older (65 +/- 10 vs. 62 +/- 11 years, p = 0.05), and more frequently had a history of hypertension (p = 0.005), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.07), previous surgical myocardial revascularization (p = 0.048) and higher heart rate on admission (p = 0.048). Smoking was more frequent in men (p < 0.001). The most frequent diagnosis was unstable angina; 76% for women vs. 66% in men (p = 0.12). Coronary angiography was performed during hospitalization in 87%, in both genders. Myocardial revascularization was performed in 62% of the women and 69% of the men (p = 0.26). At 30 days, the frequency of death or (re)infarction was 11% for women and 10% for men (log-rank, p = 0.79). By multivariate analysis (Cox regression), the independent predictors of outcome at 30 days were previous myocardial revascularization and heart failure on admission. For the total follow-up, we did not find differences in the occurrence of the combined endpoint, and the independent predictors of outcome were previous surgical myocardial revascularization, heart failure on admission, ST segment depression on the admission ECG and surgical myocardial revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: In non-ST-elevation ACS, women present some differences in their demographic and clinical profile. We did not find differences in the use of invasive procedures or prognosis in the short and medium term.     

早期有创干预对高危无ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征近远期预后的影响

目的探讨早期有创干预对高危无ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者的近远期预后影响。方法2001年10月至2003年10月期间连续入院的无ST段抬高ACS患者545例,随机分成早期保守治疗组(284例)与早期有创干预组(261例),随访患者30d与6个月的复合心血管事件(包括心脏性死亡、非致命性心肌梗死、非致命性心力衰竭、因反复缺血性心绞痛发作住院),评价早期有创干预对肌钙蛋白(Tn)Ⅰ或高敏感C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平增高的高危患者近、远期预后的影响。结果与早期保守治疗组比较,早期有创干预降低随访30d时的反复心绞痛发作住院事件及随访30d与6个月时的复合心血管事件(P值均<0·05);亚组分析示早期有创干预可明显降低TnI增高或hs-CRP增高患者30d及6个月的复合心血管事件及6个月硬性终点事件发生率(均P值<0·01),对TnI或hs-CRP水平正常者,早期有创干预无明显优势。结论早期有创干预能明显降低TnI或hs-CRP水平增高的高危患者的心血管事件,改善患者的近、远期预后。     

心肌梗死溶栓试验危险评分对无ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征患者不同干预策略的影响

目的探讨心肌梗死溶栓试验（TIMI）危险评分对无ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者不同干预策略的影响。方法将2001年10月至2003年10月期间连续入院的无ST段抬高ACS患者共545例,随机分成早期保守治疗组（284例）与早期有创干预组（261例）,并根据TIMI危险评分分为低分组、中分组和高分组,随访30天与6个月的复合心血管事件（包括心脏性死亡、非致命性心肌梗死、非致命性心力衰竭、反复缺血性心绞痛发作住院事件）,评价不同TIMI危险评分对两种干预策略疗效的影响。结果早期有创干预组的随访30天反复心绞痛发作住院事件[3．5％（9／261）]及30天与6个月复合心血管事件[分别为10．0％（26／261）,21．1％（55／261）]低于随访同时期的早期保守治疗组[分别为8．1％（23／284）、16．9％（48／284）和28．2％（80／284）,均P〈0．05];早期有创干预组随访30天TIMI危险评分高分组[12．2％（5／41）]和随访6个月的高分组及中分组患者的复合心血管事件发生率[22．0％（9／41）,12．7％（20／158）]明显低于随访同时期保守治疗组[随访30天高分组37．3％（19／51）;随访6个月高分组74．5％（38／51）,中分组30．4％（49／161）;均P〈0．01];在TIMI危险评分低分组中两种治疗对策对心血管事件的影响差异无统计学意义。结论在TIMI危险评分高及中分组无ST段抬高ACS患者中,早期有创干预较早期保守治疗策略能明显降低复合心血管事件、改善预后;对TIMI危险评分低分组者,两种干预策略的疗效无明显著别。     

Avoiding and managing bleeding complications in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Antithrombotic therapy coupled with early use of cardiac catheterization and revascularization have decreased morbidity and mortality rates in patients who have acute ischemic heart disease but who carry a risk for bleeding. Bleeding complications in patients with acute coronary syndromes are associated with worse clinical outcomes, including recurrent ischemic events and death. Determining the appropriate balance between preventing ischemic events and causing bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndromes present a challenging problem for clinicians. Antithrombotics studied in recent clinical trials that have focused on bleeding reduction include bivalirudin and fondaparinux. In this review, the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcomes associated with bleeding are discussed. Furthermore, the association between antithrombotic agents and bleeding and propose strategies to prevent bleeding complications are also discussed.     

Impact of congestive heart failure in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

The presence of congestive heart failure (CHF) has been associated with treatment disparities and worse outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, but the incidence and effect of CHF in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACSs) has not been well characterized. We evaluated 45,744 patients with NSTE ACS (positive cardiac markers and/or ischemic ST-segment changes) who were treated at 424 hospitals in the CRUSADE Quality Improvement Initiative between March 2000 and March 2003. Treatment patterns and in-hospital outcomes in patients with signs of CHF on presentation and those who developed in-hospital CHF were compared with those in patients without CHF. In total, 10,398 patients (22.7%) had signs of CHF on presentation, and 1,664 patients (3.6%) later developed in-hospital CHF. Compared with patients without CHF, early (<24 hours from presentation) medications and invasive cardiac procedures were used less often in patients with signs of CHF on presentation. Likewise, patients with in-hospital CHF were less likely than those without CHF to receive acute antiplatelet agents and undergo cardiac catheterization but more likely to receive acute beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and heparin and to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting. Adjusted mortality was higher in patients with signs of CHF on presentation (odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 2.31 to 3.01) and those with in-hospital CHF (odds ratio 4.93, 95% confidence interval 4.05 to 5.99) than in patients without CHF. In conclusion, CHF occurs frequently in patients with NSTE ACS but is associated with less aggressive treatment and a higher risk of mortality. Further study is needed to determine the causes of these treatment differences and the optimal therapeutic approach for patients with NSTE ACS and concomitant CHF.     

Integrating antithrombin and antiplatelet therapies with early invasive management for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes

Non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes are a dramatic manifestation of coronary artery disease. Multiple clinical trials have shown that early cardiac catheterization improves clinical outcomes in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. Many antithrombotic agents effectively manage unstable coronary syndromes and serve as adjuncts to percutaneous coronary intervention. Yet, the growing number of pharmacologic agents makes early management of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes increasingly complex. We review the current evidence regarding the optimal integration of early antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapies with early coronary angiography and subsequent revascularization.