Bypassing the Emergency Room to Reduce Door‐to‐Balloon Time and Improve Outcomes of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients: Analysis of Data from 2004–2010 ACSIS Registry

Objectives

Our objective was to assess whether bypassing the emergency room (ER) is associated with meaningful reduction in Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Event (MACCE) or mortality in a large cohort of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients.

Background

Prior studies suggest that bypassing the emergency room reduces door‐to‐balloon time (DBT). However, it is not clear whether this translates into reduced mortality.

Methods

We analyzed data of 1,552 consecutive patients with STEMI treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and enrolled in the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS) registry. Thirty percent of patients (n = 459) arrived directly to the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit or catheterization laboratory and 70% (n = 1093) were assessed first in the ER. Our primary end points were DBT, 30‐day MACCE, and 30‐day and 1‐year mortality. Our secondary end points were pre‐discharge ejection fraction less than 40%, in‐hospital pulmonary edema, in‐hospital cardiogenic shock, ST resolution, and duration of hospitalization.

Results

Bypassing the ER was associated with signficantly shorter DBT (59 vs. 97 minutes, P = 0.001). There was no difference in 30‐day MACCE and 30‐day or 1‐year mortality between the 2 study groups. The findings were consistent in multiple subgroups, including women, anterior STEMI, off hours PCI, and patients with pain‐to‐door (PDT) time of less than 120 minutes.

Conclusion

Bypassing the ER is associated with significant shortening of DBT. This reduction, however, is not associated with any change in 30‐day MACCE and 30‐day or 1‐year mortality.

     

Low‐Dose Heparin for Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of low‐dose heparin (40 IU/kg) for elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

Current guidelines recommend a 70–100 IU/kg bolus of heparin for elective PCI, but this dose may be associated with increased bleeding risk. Low‐dose heparin may have an advantage in this regard, but has not been well studied.

Methods

From January 2008 to October 2012, 300 patients underwent elective transfemoral PCI and were treated with an initial bolus of 40 IU/kg of heparin at the UCLA Medical Center. Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin was administered prior to or just after diagnostic coronary angiography. The primary end‐point was the composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, urgent target vessel revascularization for ischemia, or major bleeding within 30 days after PCI.

Results

The mean activating clotting time was 233 ± 28 seconds. The primary end‐point occurred in 2.3%. The cardiac death rate was 0.3% but was not related to the PCI. The myocardial infarction rate was 1.3%. Urgent target vessel revascularization occurred in 1 patient (0.3%). The major bleeding rate was 0.3%. No stent thrombosis occurred.

Conclusion

Using a lower dose of heparin with dual antiplatelet therapy is safe and is associated with a low bleeding risk after transfemoral PCI while providing suppression of ischemic events. This may also represent a cost savings compared with other antithrombotic strategies. A randomized clinical trial comparing low‐dose heparin with bivalirudin in patients is required to determine the optimal anticoagulation strategy. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:58–62)

     

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.

     

Practical Usefulness of Dual Lumen Catheter‐Facilitated Reverse Wire Technique for Markedly Angulated Bifurcated Lesions

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the practical usefulness of dual lumen catheter‐facilitated reverse wire technique.

Background

We sometimes encounter difficulty in introducing a guidewire to the highly angulated side branch. In those cases, the reverse wire technique is considered as a last resort to overcome the situation.

Methods

Between January 2013 and June 2015, we performed the reverse wire technique for guidewire crossing into an extremely angulated side branch in consecutive seven cases with true bifurcated lesions. We retrospectively evaluated patients’ backgrounds, lesion characteristics, and details of the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures.

Results

Three interventional cardiologists with various levels of experience in coronary intervention performed this technique. A polymer‐jacket hydrophilic‐coated guidewire was used for the reverse wire system excluding in one case, and we adopted a sharp curve for the tip shape in all cases. After crossing the reverse wire into a highly angulated side branch, we usually deliver a flexible micro catheter over the guidewire for the purpose of guidewire exchange. We deployed a stent in the side branch in three cases. We successfully performed all PCI procedures without any complications and no major adverse cardiac event was observed during hospitalization.

Conclusions

We could safely and effectively perform the reverse wire technique for guidewire crossing into a markedly angulated side branch. We recommend a polymer‐jacket hydrophilic‐coated guidewire with a sharp curve in the tip shape for this technique. All interventional cardiologists should acquire knowledge and skills regarding this guidewire manipulation technique. (J Interven Cardiol 2015;28:544–550)

     

GuideLiner Mother‐and‐Child Guide Catheter Extension: A Simple Adjunctive Tool in PCI for Balloon Uncrossable Chronic Total Occlusions

Objectives

To investigate the use of the GuideLiner “mother‐and‐child” guide catheter extension system as a simple solution to facilitate initial device delivery in balloon uncrossable chronic total occlusions (CTOs) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

During PCIs for CTO lesions, an important reason for procedural failure is the inability to deliver a balloon or microcatheter across the lesion.

Methods

We retrospectively accessed our interventional registry for 07/01/2010 to 03/21/2012 and extracted data on all CTO lesions involving GuideLiner catheter use. Cine review was performed to identify cases where a guidewire had crossed the CTO and the use of a GuideLiner catheter facilitated initial device delivery.

Results

We identified 28 patients that underwent PCI for CTO with a GuideLiner catheter used to assist initial balloon or microcatheter advancement across the culprit lesion. Mean overall CTO length was 26.3 ± 18.1 mm. The GuideLiner catheter was successful in delivering a small balloon to the CTO lesion in 85.7% of cases (24/28). A single CTO PCI resulted in a distal guidewire perforation, but there was no hemodynamic compromise or pericardial effusion and the patient was discharged the next day. Overall procedural success in these selected cases (where a guidewire had already crossed the CTO) was 89.3% (25/28).

Conclusions

The GuideLiner mother‐and‐child catheter is a simple, safe and efficacious adjunctive device for difficult CTO PCIs where despite standard measures it is not possible to deliver an initial balloon or microcatheter across the occluded segment.

     

First‐in‐Man Experience With the ClearLumen Thrombectomy System as an Adjunctive Therapy in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Objectives

To describe the first‐in‐man experience with the ClearLumen Thrombectomy System (Walk Vascular, Irvine, CA) and report on its safety, feasibility and efficacy when used as an adjunctive therapy during primary PCI.

Background

Thrombus aspiration (TA) aims to improve microvascular perfusion but currently available devices are not optimal.

Methods

Prospective, single‐centre, non‐randomized, safety, and efficacy trial. Patients with acute STEMI were enrolled and the investigational device was used for thrombus aspiration. Safety was evaluated as the overall rate of device related complications while efficacy as the rate of successful device deployment and culprit vessel reperfusion. The composite endpoint based on the achievement of at least two of the following three criteria—TIMI flow 3 and/or myocardial blush grade ≥2 at completion of the case and ST‐resolution >70% at 90 minutes after vessel reperfusion—was also evaluated.

Results

Over a 3 months period 20 patients were enrolled in the study. Culprit lesion was successfully reached with the investigational device in 19 patients (95%). The pre‐specified combined endpoint was met in 16 out of 19 patients (84.2%). Three patients not meeting the combined end point had procedure related, non TA associated, adverse event. Only 2 minor procedural adverse event occurred after thrombus aspiration.

Conclusions

This first‐in‐man experience with the ClearLumen Thrombectomy System demonstrates initial promising results on safety and efficacy when used as an adjunctive therapy during primary PCI. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:155–161)

     

An Audit of Outcomes After Same‐Day Discharge Post‐PCI in Acute Coronary Syndrome and Elective Patients

Objectives

To investigate the outcomes of a cohort of acute and elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients who were discharged home 6 hours postprocedure.

Background

Contemporary PCI is safe with a low rate of acute complications. It is well established as a day procedure in elective cases; however, data are lacking in acute cases.

Methods

We describe a prospective observational audit of routine clinical practice in the 3 PCI centers in Northern Ireland. Patients were selected for same‐day discharge after 6 hours of post‐PCI observation. Both elective and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cases were included. Criteria for same‐day discharge were based on the technical result of the procedure rather than lesion complexity or clinical presentation. Radial access was preferred but not mandatory. Patients were contacted directly to assess for 30‐day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Reported events were corroborated with the general practitioner or hospital notes.

Results

A total of 1,059 patients were selected for same‐day discharge with 30‐day follow‐up available for all cases. Of these, 766 (72.3%) were elective and 293 (27.7%) were ACS patients. Radial access was almost universal (98%). A total of 1,224 lesions were stented, of which 432 (40.8%) were high risk (highest risk lesion in each case by AHA/ACC classification). MACE rate at 30 days was 0.85% with a sub‐acute stent thrombosis rate of 0.4%. There were no MACE events from discharge to 24 hours.

Conclusions

Selected acute and elective patients with a range of lesion complexity and risk can be discharged safely home early after PCI.

     

Effect on Clinical Restenosis of an Ultra‐Thin‐Strut Bare Metal Cobalt‐Chromium Stent Versus a Thin‐Strut Stainless Steel Stent

Objectives

To prospectively compare the impact of ultrathin‐strut cobalt‐chromium (Cro‐Co) bare metal stent (BMS) versus thin‐strut stainless steel (SS) BMS on clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Background

Stent characteristics are an important determinant of restenosis. Thinner strut Cro‐Co BMS is associated with a reduction of neointimal formation compared to SS BMS. The advantages of Cro‐Co BMS in a real‐world population is not clear.

Methods

Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with BMS for any reason were enrolled. Patient with multi‐vessel PCI, multi‐lesions PCI, PCI of unprotected left main and coronary grafts were not excluded. They were divided in two groups according to stent type: Cro‐Co or SS group. The primary endpoint was clinically driven TLR at follow‐up.

Results

A total of 383 patients were enrolled: 222 in SS and 161 in Cro‐Co group. During the follow‐up, Cro‐Co patients had a significantly lower occurrence of TLR compared to SS patients (1.9% vs 8.6%, P = 0.006). There were no significant differences for the composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarct, and stroke (4.9% in Cro‐Co group vs 9.5% in SS group, P = 0.119). At multivariate analysis, the variables that were predictors of TLR were: use of SS stent (OR 4.43, P = 0.019) and diabetes (OR 2.84, P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Ultra‐thin strut Cro‐Co BMS is associated with a significant reduction of clinically driven TLR in all comers population with any type of coronary disease complexity. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:300–310)

     

Renal Protection Using Remote Ischemic Peri‐Conditioning During Inter‐Facility Helicopter Transport of Patients With ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Retrospective Study

Objective

To assess the impact of remote ischemic peri‐conditioning (RIPC) during inter‐facility air medical transport of ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Background

STEMI patients who receive pPCI have an increased risk of AKI for which there is no well‐defined prophylactic therapy in the setting of emergent pPCI.

Methods

Using the ACTION Registry‐GWTG, we evaluated the impact of RIPC applied during inter‐facility helicopter transport of STEMI patients from non‐PCI capable hospitals to 2 PCI‐hospitals in the United States between March, 2013 and September, 2015 on the incidence of AKI following pPCI. AKI was defined as ≥0.3 mg/dL increase in creatinine within 48–72 hours after pPCI.

Results

Patients who received RIPC (n = 127), compared to those who did not (n = 92), were less likely to have AKI (11 of 127 patients [8.7%] vs. 17 of 92 patients [18.5%]; adjusted odds ratio = 0.32, 95% CI 0.12–0.85, P = 0.023) and all‐cause in‐hospital mortality (2 of 127 patients [1.6%] vs. 7 of 92 patients [7.6%]; adjusted odds ratio = 0.14, 95% CI 0.02–0.86, P = 0.034) after adjusting for socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics. There was no difference in hospital length of stay (3 days [interquartile range, 2–4] vs. 3 days [interquartile range, 2–5], P = 0.357) between the 2 groups.

Conclusion

RIPC applied during inter‐facility helicopter transport of STEMI patients for pPCI is associated with lower incidence of AKI and in‐hospital mortality. The use of RIPC for renal protection in STEMI patients warrants further in depth investigation.

     

Underutilization of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Medicaid Patients Relative to Private Insurance Patients

Objective

To determine whether disparities in access to invasive cardiac procedures still exist for Medicaid patients, given how old earlier studies are and given changes in the interim in appropriateness guidelines.

Patients and Methods

A total of 5,022 Medicaid and private insurance patients in New York from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009 under age 65 with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were compared with regard to their access to percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) before and after controlling for numerous patient characteristics and other important factors.

Results

Medicaid patients were significantly less likely to be admitted initially to a hospital certified to perform PCI (90.4% vs. 94.3%, P < 0.001). Also, Medicaid patients were found to be significantly less likely to undergo PCI than other patients (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.81, 95% CI 0.66, 0.98, P = 0.03). When the probability of each hospital performing PCI for STEMI patients was controlled for, Medicaid patients were still less likely to undergo PCI after controlling for other risk factors (AOR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.65, 0.99, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Medicaid STEMI patients are significantly less likely to undergo PCI within the same day of admission as private pay patients even after adjusting for patient characteristics related to receiving PCI, and the strength of this relationship is not diminished when controlling for whether the admitting hospital has approval to perform PCI or controlling for the tendency of the admitting hospital to treat STEMI with PCI. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:470‐481)

     

Rotational Atherectomy for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease in Octogenarians: Transradial Approach in a Tertiary Center and Literature Review

Objectives

The aim of this study was to appreciate the safety and effectiveness of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with rotational atherectomy for highly calcified left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease in octogenarians.

Background

Conventional surgery is still considered the preferred management for LMCA disease; but, when the lesion is severely calcified, and the patient is unsuitable for surgery, the interventional cardiologist faces a complex PCI traditionally approached by femoral access.

Methods

Between June 2004 and December 2010, octogenarians with calcified LMCA disease who were primary denied for surgical revascularization were enrolled. Procedural success and major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCE) including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), or stroke during long‐term follow‐up were evaluated.

Results

Forty‐two consecutive patients≥80 years had undergone stenting for calcified LMCA disease (13 with rotational atherectomy, the “Rota” group, and 29 without rotational atherectomy, the “without Rota” group). Procedural success was good (92.3% vs. 96.6%, respectively, p = NS). Mean follow‐up time was 25.7 ± 21.4 and 28 ± 32.3 months, respectively. There was a TLR in 25% and 11.1%, respectively; p = NS. No difference was detected in terms of overall in‐hospital or long‐term mortality or MACCE.

Conclusion

Rotational atherectomy followed by stent implantation by transradial approach, when applied to heavily calcified lesions, appeared to be a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of LMCA disease in octogenarians who were refused for surgery. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:173–182)

     

A Randomized Trial of Creatine‐kinase Leak After Rosuvastatin in Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CLEAR‐PCI)

Objectives

To determine the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) performed at the same time of the peak concentration of rosuvastatin to reduce periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI).

Background

Prior studies suggest that a high dose of statin before PCI reduce periprocedural myocardial infarction. However, there is no information regarding the elective PCI performed at the time of the peak of statin concentration to reduce PMI.

Methods

From 2001 to 2013, at a single center in Brazil we enrolled 544 patients who underwent elective PCI and after exclusions for baseline biases in clinical and angiographic characteristics, yielding 528 patients, we prospectively randomly assigned them to either a high loading dose of Rosuvastatin before PCI (n = 264) or standard treatment (n = 264). After exclusions for biases in procedural characteristics a total of 487 patients underwent to end points analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of MB fraction of creatine kinase (CK‐MB) greater than three times the upper limit of normal.

Results

The primary end point occurred in 7.6% in the rosuvastatin and 4.8% in the control group (P = 0.200). There was a higher incidence in elevation of CK‐MB than normal baseline in the rosuvastatin (67.1% vs 59.2%, P = 0.701). There was no difference in major adverse event (0% in the rosuvastatin group vs 0.8% in control).

     

Real‐life data regarding acute procedural success and 1‐year clinical outcome of desolve bioresorbable scaffolds

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the peri‐procedural success of DESolve bio‐resorbable scaffolds (BRSs) and analyzed real‐life data about major cardiac events during 1‐year follow‐up.

Background

There is little information about real‐life data of DESolve BRS which is a novel stent technology offering various advantages over drug eluting stents and commonly used in daily cardiology practice.

Methods

We conducted this single‐center and non‐randomized cross‐sectional study from June 2015 through August 2016 in Medipol University Department of Cardiology and included 117 patients undergoing single or multivessel percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with novolimus‐eluting BRS devices (152 scaffolds) (Elixir Medical Corporation). Study end points were acute device and procedural success, scaffold thrombosis and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates of DESolve BRS.

Results

Device success was 96.7% and procedural success was 99.3%. We detected MACE rate as 0.9% while clinical‐driven target lesion revascularization was performed in one patient. None of the patients experienced scaffold thrombosis or death. Peri‐procedural complications were reported in three patients.

Conclusions

High rates of successful scaffold implantations, low rates of peri‐procedural complications, and major cardiac events in long‐term suggest that DESolve scaffolds can safely and effectively be used in daily intervention practice by particularly experienced operators.

     

Rationale and Design of the On‐Treatment PLAtelet Reactivity‐Guided Therapy Modification FOR ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (PLATFORM) Randomized Trial

Objectives

The present trial aims at examining whether antiplatelet regimen modification, guided by assessment of the on‐treatment platelet reactivity, might result with clinical benefit in moderate to high‐risk patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Background

High platelet reactivity has been associated with an increased rate of ischemic events after PCI. Recent large trials did not show a clinical benefit of platelet reactivity‐guided therapy modification in acute coronary syndrome patients treated by PCI.

Methods

PLATFORM is an investigator‐initiated, prospective, randomized, parallel‐group, controlled clinical trial. Approximately 632 STEMI patients with intermediate to high‐risk (RISK‐PCI score >3) clinical features undergoing PPCI will be randomly allocated to treatment modification or standard therapy. Low responders to aspirin will receive 200 mg aspirin for 30 days. Low responders to clopidogrel will receive 180 mg ticagrelor for 1 year. The primary end‐point is the time to the first composite major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including death, nonfatal infarction, stroke, or immediate target vessel revascularization. Key safety end‐point is the rate of TIMI major bleeding unrelated to coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Our secondary end‐points are individual components of MACE, definite stent thrombosis, total bleeding, and the need for blood transfusions. Patients will be followed‐up at 30 days and at 1 year after PPCI.

Conclusion

PLATFORM will determine whether the platelet reactivity‐guided use of ticagrelor in combination with 200 mg aspirin, compared with standard antiplatelet regimen, improves clinical outcome in moderate to high‐risk STEMI patients undergoing PPCI.

Clinical Trial Registration

U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) at www.clinicaltrials.gov . ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01739556, and Current Controlled Trials at www.controlledtrials.com . International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN83081599. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:221–227)

     

The impact of successful revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusions on long‐term clinical outcomes in patients with non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the long‐term clinical impact of revascularization of coronary concomitant coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with Non‐ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Background

CTO is associated with poorer prognosis in patients with NSTEMI. The evidence of revascularization of CTO in patients with NSTEMI is still conflicting.

Methods

Consecutive patients with NSTEMI and CTO who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 72 h of admission from 2006 to 2015 were retrospectively recruited and analyzed. A total of 967 patients underwent PCI for NSTEMI. Among them, 106 (11%) patients had concomitant CTO and were recruited for analysis. CTO lesions were revascularized successfully in 67 (63.2%) patients (successful CTO PCI group), while the CTO in the remaining 39 patients were either not attempted or failed (No/failed CTO PCI group).

Results

The 30‐day cardiac death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were significantly lower in the successful CTO PCI group (both cardiac death and MACE were 3% vs 30%, P < 0.001, respectively). A landmark analysis set at 30th day for 30‐day survivals was performed. After a mean of 2.5‐year follow‐up, the long‐term cardiac death was still significantly lower (16.9% vs 42.3%, P < 0.001), whereas the MACE showed a trend toward lower incidence (26.2% vs 40.7%, P = 0.051) in the successful CTO PCI group. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, successful revascularization of CTO is an independent protective predictor for long‐term cardiac death (HR 0.310, 95% CI, 0.109‐0.881, P = 0.028) in all population and in propensity‐score matched cohort (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Successful revascularization of CTO was associated with reduced risk of long‐term cardiac death in patients with NSTEMI and concomitant CTO.

     

Outcomes by Day and Night for Patients Bypassing the Emergency Department Presenting with ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Identified with a Pre‐Hospital Electrocardiogram

Background

Pre‐hospital ECG and emergency department (ED) bypass direct to the catheter laboratory may optimize reperfusion times for patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction. Questions remain over feasibility and safety during off hours.

Aims

To determine if presenting time of day is associated with differences in in‐hospital and 30‐day mortality and key reperfusion times.

Methods/Results

Seven hundred and twenty consecutive patients with STEMI triaged directly from the field to the catheter laboratory between June 2004–May 2013. Vital status was reported as of August 2013. The mean age was 65 ± 14 years, and 75.1% were male. Overall mortality (in‐hospital/30 days) did not significantly differ for patients (3.4% in hours and 3.1% off hours; P = N/S). Symptom onset‐to‐arrival to the heart attack was non‐significantly lower (100 minutes off hours (IQR 78–174) versus 110 minutes in hours (IQR 75–199), P = N/S). Call‐to‐balloon time was not significantly affected by the time of presentation: 150 min in hours (IQR 111–239) versus 154 minutes during off hours (IQR 115–225) P = N/S. Overall door‐to‐balloon time was 36 minutes (IQR 25–51), 34 minutes in hours (IQR 24–49) versus 40 minutes off hours (IQR 29–55) P = N/S. The overall false positive activation rate was only 13.1%, (in hours 12.2% vs. off hours 14.6%, respectively, P = N/S).

Conclusions

In a unit with an established field triage system facilitating ED bypass, reperfusion times and mortality are not significantly influenced by whether the patient presents during standard working hours or outside of these hours. (J Interven Cardiol 2015;28:24–31)

     

Efficacy and Safety of Local Intracoronary Drug Delivery in Treatment of No‐Reflow Phenomenon: A Pilot Study

Background

Successful reopening of epicardial coronary artery does not always mean optimal myocardial reperfusion in a sizable portion of patients, mostly because of no‐reflow phenomenon.

Objectives

We investigated whether local injection of adrenaline ± verapamil in the distal coronary bed is more effective than their intracoronary (IC) injection through the guiding catheter in the treatment of no‐reflow phenomenon following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

A total of 40 patients with no‐reflow following PCI were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received IC adrenaline ± verapamil through a well‐cannulated guiding catheter while Group 2 received the above‐mentioned drugs in the distal coronary bed through a perfusion balloon or selective microcatheter. The primary end points were the achievement of TIMI III flow with MBG II or III. Secondary end points were the occurrence of hypotension, arrhythmias, and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) during hospital stay.

Results

After drug injection, the percentage of patients achieving Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) III flow in Group 1 was 40% versus 80% in Group 2, P = 0.032. MBG II and III was significantly lower in Group 1; 10% and 25% versus 15% and 65% in Group 2, respectively, P = 0.033. Primary end points were achieved in only 35% of patients in Group 1 and in 80% of patients in Group 2 (odds ratio, 7.43, 95% confidence interval 1.78–31.04, P < 0.01). Secondary end points were not different between both groups.

Conclusion

Local intra‐coronary delivery of adrenaline ± verapamil is a safe and effective method for the treatment of no‐reflow phenomenon complicating PCI.

     

The Learning Curve for Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair With MitraClip

Objectives

This study sought to assess the learning curve for TMVR for treatment of primary mitral regurgitation (MR).

Background

Data are lacking regarding the technical experience required to achieve optimal clinical outcomes with transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) using the edge‐to‐edge MitraClip technique.

Methods

We examined the sequential experience of the first 75 patients (age 80 ± 9 years; 77% male) who underwent TMVR at our institution. A sequence number of each patient was assigned as a continuous variable and in tertiles for analysis.

Results

TMVR with MitraClip was successful in 97% with an average procedural time of 106 ± 39 minutes. The 30‐day rate of major adverse cardiovascular events was 7%. With increased case experience, there were decreases in procedural time, fluoroscopy time, length of hospital stay, and major adverse cardiovascular events. Procedural success, residual mitral regurgitation and NYHA functional classification at 30‐day follow‐up remained unchanged throughout the experience.

Conclusions

The learning curve for TMVR with MitraClip for treatment of primary MR is characterized by a sequential reduction in procedure time, fluoroscopy time, procedural complications, and hospital length of stay at a tertiary academic medical center. Thirty‐day procedural results are favorable and similar during the initial learning period.

     

Racial Differences in Long‐Term Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Paclitaxel‐Eluting Coronary Stents

Objectives

To assess the influence of race on long‐term outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with paclitaxel‐eluting stents (PES).

Background

Data on the influence of race on long‐term outcomes following PCI with drug‐eluting stents are limited because of severe underrepresentation of minority populations in randomized trials.

Methods

We compared 5‐year outcomes of 2,301 Whites, 127 Blacks, and 169 Asians treated with PES in the TAXUS IV, V, and ATLAS trials. Outcomes were adjusted using a propensity score logistic regression model with 1:4 matching.

Results

Blacks were more likely than Whites to be female, have a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and stroke, but were less likely to have prior coronary artery disease. Compared with Whites, Asians were younger, more likely to be male, have stable angina, and left anterior descending disease, and less likely to have silent ischemia, previous coronary artery bypass surgery, prior coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and to receive glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. Despite higher antiplatelet compliance, the adjusted 5‐year rates of myocardial infarction (15.4% vs. 5.4%, P < 0.001) and stent thrombosis (5.6% vs. 1.1%, P = 0.002) were higher in Blacks than Whites. Despite lower antiplatelet compliance, Asians had no differences in myocardial infarction and stent thrombosis compared with Whites. Mortality and revascularization rates were similar between the three groups.

Conclusions

The long‐term risk of major thrombotic events after PCI with PES was higher in Blacks, but not Asians, compared with Whites. The mechanisms underlying these racial differences warrant further investigation. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:49–57)