Comparison of coronary stenting versus conventional balloon angioplasty on five-year mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Little is known about the influence of stenting versus balloon angioplasty on long-term outcomes (particularly mortality) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated 2,087 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction enrolled in various Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMI) trials in the United States, who underwent primary PCI. The main outcome was all-cause mortality at 5 years, obtained through the National Death Index. Of the 2,087 patients, stenting was performed in 692 (33%). The absolute difference in the hospital (2.2% vs 3.3%), 1-year (3.3% vs 5.2%), and 5-year (10% vs 13%) mortality rates favored patients receiving a stent versus conventional balloon therapy, with the difference increasing with time. A multivariate Cox model identified stent use (vs balloon alone) as an independent correlate of lower 5-year mortality (hazard ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 0.85). The absolute reduction in mortality was greatest in the highest risk group. In conclusion, compared with balloon angioplasty, stenting during primary PCI not only resulted in better angiographic and short-term outcomes, but also in a sustained beneficial effect on mortality at 5 years. These data support the routine use of coronary stenting in most patients undergoing primary PCI, when feasible.     

Permanent-temporary pacemakers in the management of patients with conduction abnormalities after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background

Damage to the cardiac conduction system requiring permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation is a known adverse outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A permanent-temporary pacemaker (PTPM) is a device that involves an active-fixation lead attached to an external pulse generator taped to the skin. We reviewed the utility of PTPMs as a temporary bridge measure after TAVR in patients with conduction abnormalities that do not meet conventional criteria for PPM placement.

Methods

Between January 01, 2013 and December 31, 2015, we analyzed 67 patients who received PTPM after TAVR. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, type and size of the valve, pre-TAVR electrocardiograms (ECGs), post-TAVR ECGs at 1 day, 1 month, and 6 months, and pacemaker interrogation results were reviewed for each patient if available.

Results

The mean age of patients was 80.5?±?9.1 years. PTPM were placed for 2.3?±?2.4 days. Among these patients, 44.8% (n?=?30) received a PPM prior to discharge. Male gender (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.05–7.69, p?=?0.05) and an increase in QRS duration post-TAVR (p?=?0.01) were associated with PPM placement. Pacemaker interrogation data of 11 patients with PPM revealed that 27% (n?=?3) had <?1% V-pacing requirements and <?10% A-pacing requirements.

Conclusions

In post-TAVR patients who develop conduction abnormalities that do not meet conventional PPM implantation indications, PTPM safely provides a time period for further assessment and may prevent unnecessary PPM implantation. Male gender and an increase in QRS duration post-TAVR are associated with PPM implantation. Additionally, some patients may recover from their conduction disturbances and demonstrate low pacemaker utilization.

     

1 year follow Up results of “ARTIM HF TRIAL” (angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor effect on TEI index & left ventricular mass in heart failure)

BackgroundSacubitril/Valsartan (ARNI) has now class 1 recommendation for treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It has been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity & mortality in Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and significant improvement in all echocardiographic parameters besides TEI index. Tei index is a marker of inflammation, myocardial cell metabolism and its contractile function has not been evaluated as a distinctive entity so we took up this study to evaluate the effects of ARNI on the LV functions using two dimensional (2D)ECHO parameters in Indian population and to assess TEI index for myocardial function.Methods256 patients with class II, III or IV HF and EF<40% were enrolled. 171(66.8%) were males and 85(33.2%) were females. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months for LVEF, LV mass &,LVMPI. Drug was discontinued in 2 patients due to angioedema, in 5 patients due to acute kidney injury and in 2 patients due to hypotension. LV mass measurement done by linear echocardiographic method and Flow Doppler method used for TEI index calculation.ResultsBaseline parameters in 247 patients were mean EF = 26.33 ± 6.28%, mean LV mass = 270.84 ± 68.94 gm, mean Tei Index = 0.852 ± 0.22. ARNI use was associated with an average gradual increase in EF, from a mean baseline of 26.33 ± 6.28% to 33.88 ± 7.73%(p = 0.000001) after 1 year of treatment. There was a significant progressive reduction of 57.97 g/m2 in mean LV mass index after 1 year of treatment (p = 0.000001).TEI index showed significant reduction from baseline mean 0.85 ± 0.22 to 0.70 ± 0.12(p = 0.000001)after 1 year of treatment.ConclusionUse of ARNI as additive adjunct to standard care of treatment resulted in significant progressive decline in LV mass and increase in TEI index.     

Effect of losartan in aging-related endothelial impairment

Aging is associated with progressive deterioration in endothelial function. We hypothesized that losartan may represent a useful therapeutic strategy to ameliorate endothelial function in aged subjects. Eighteen healthy older subjects (mean age 75 +/- 3 years) were prospectively randomized in a double-blind, crossover fashion to receive either losartan 50 mg/day or placebo for 6 weeks. Subjects were switched to the opposite arm after a 2- week washout period. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery and plasma levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), moncocyte chemoattractant 1 protein, and E-selectin were measured in both arms at the beginning and end of the 6-week period. Losartan resulted in a 6-mm Hg decrease in systolic blood pressure (from 130 +/- 12 to 124 +/- 13 mm Hg), which was no different from placebo (132 +/- 12 to 127 +/- 13 mm Hg). FMD increased from 3.1 +/- 0.6% to 3.9 +/- 0.6% after losartan, and decreased from 3.3 +/- 0.3% to 2.4 +/- 0.6% after placebo (p = NS for both). In contrast, losartan reduced circulating concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (750 +/- 73 to 572 +/- 39), ICAM (405 +/- 26 to 196 +/- 10), and moncocyte chemoattractant 1 protein (560 +/- 56 to 423 +/- 35) (p <0.01 for all by analysis of variance), but not E-selectin. On univariate analyses, the strongest predictor of baseline endothelial function and change in FMD with losartan was low-density lipoprotein. There was a negative correlation between baseline endothelial function and change in FMD in response to losartan (r(2) = -0.75, p = 0.0003). Baseline ICAM levels alone significantly correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r(2) = 0.54, p = 0.02) and weakly correlated with total cholesterol (r(2) = 0.47, p = 0.05). Thus, administration of losartan for a duration of 6 weeks has favorable effects on inflammatory markers in healthy older subjects, but does not alter peripheral conduit endothelial function.     

Hierarchical CdMoO4 nanowire–graphene composite for photocatalytic hydrogen generation under natural sunlight

Herein, a facile in situ solvothermal technique for the synthesis of a CdMoO₄/graphene composite photocatalyst is reported. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesised by an improved Hummers'' method and was further used for the in situ synthesis of graphene via GO reduction and the formation of a CdMoO₄ nanowire/graphene composite. The structural phase formation of tetragonal CdMoO₄ was confirmed from X-ray diffraction measurements. The small nanoparticle assembled nanowires, prismatic microsphere morphology and crystalline nature of the synthesized material were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Due to its unique morphology and stability, the CdMoO₄/graphene composite was used as a photocatalyst for H₂O splitting. In comparison to pristine CdMoO₄, the CdMoO₄/graphene composite showed the best hydrogen evolution rate, i.e. 3624 μmole h⁻¹ g⁻¹, with an apparent quantum yield of 30.5%. The CdMoO₄/graphene composite has a higher photocatalytic activity due to the inhibition of charge carrier recombination. H₂ production measurements showed that the ternary semiconductor/graphene composite has enhanced photocatalytic activity for H₂ generation.

Herein, a facile in situ solvothermal technique for the synthesis of a CdMoO₄/graphene composite photocatalyst for hydrogen generation under natural solar light.     

Sulphur in Soil,Plant and Human Nutrition

Sulphur is now recognized as the fourth major plant nutrient after N, P and K globally. Sulphur in soils comes from the sulphur containing minerals present in parent materials from which the soils are derived and from the plants and animals residues or from the external addition of elemental S or its minerals. Sulphur enters the biological systems from soil through microbial activities involving mineralization of organic matter, immobilization, oxidation and reduction. Plants take up sulphur only as SO ₄ ⁼ and reduce it to form S containing amino acids and other compounds. Amino acid cysteine is the source of sulphur for most other S-compounds in plants. Sulphur containing vitamin thiamine (Vitamin B₁) is also synthesized only in plants and not in humans or other animals. Plants also produce vitamin biotin and a number of S-containing metabolites including glutathione, glucosinolates and alliin/allicin. Sulphur deficiency in wheat can lead to poor baking quality and in oilseeds it can lead to reduced oil content and yield. Sulphur is taken in as sulphur containing amino acids (SAAs) cysteine and methionine by human beings. The recommended dietary allowance for SAAs for humans is 14 mg kg^?1 body weight. Lack of sulphur can lead to arthritis, muscle and joint stiffness, spondylitis, etc. Dietary supplements containing (chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine sulphate, methylsulfonylmethane etc.) can be beneficial in the treatment of joint diseases.