Modifiable Risk Factors in Young Adults With First Myocardial Infarction

Background

Modifiable risk factors (RFs) play an important role in the development and prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

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.     

Long-term use of ticagrelor in patients with prior heart attack: ticagrelor plus aspirin versus aspirin monotherapy

Review of: Bonaca MP, Bhatt DL, Cohen M, et al. Long-term use of ticagrelor in patients with prior myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med. 2015;372:1791-1800.

This Practice Pearl reviews the recent study Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared With Placebo on a Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 54 (PEGASUS-TIMI 54). It challenges the current standard of care of 12 months of dual antiplatelet followed by aspirin indefinitely. The study demonstrated that patients who received ticagrelor, either the 60 mg or 90 mg twice daily plus aspirin, showed a decreased risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial also proved that the benefit of ticagrelor was seen early and continued to accrue over time, with a median of 33 months of follow-up, meaning that the benefit persists over time. It is important to note that both doses of the ticagrelor were associated with higher incidence of bleeding, but the rates of fatal bleeding did not show any difference between the ticagrelor or placebo.     

Myocardial Infarction with and without ST-segment Elevation: a Contemporary Reappraisal of Similarities and Differences

Understanding the similarities and differences between myocardial infarction with or without ST-segment elevation is an essential step for proper patients’ management in current practice. Both syndromes are caused by critical stenosis or total occlusion of coronary arteries (mostly due to thrombosis on  atherosclerotic plaque), and  manifest with a  similar clinical  presentation. Recent epidemiologic studies show that the relative incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) moves in an opposite fashion (decreasing and increasing respectively), with a prognosis that is worse at short-term follow-up for STEMI but comparable at long-term. Current management differs, as for STEMIs, immediate reperfusion is recommended, while for NSTEMIs, risk stratification is mandatory in order to stratify patients’ risk, and then decide the timing for coronary angiography. Periprocedural and technical aspects of the interventional management, as well as antithrombotic medications, are for the most similarly implemented in the two types of MI, with routine radial access, DES implant, and novel P2Y12 inhibitors representing the standard of care in both cases.The following review article aims to compare the two types of MI, with and without persistent ST-segment elevation. The main purpose is to explore their similarities and differences and address areas of uncertainty with regards to clinical presentation, therapeutic management, and prognosis. The identification of high-risk NSTEMI patients is important as they may require an individualised approach that can substantially overlap with current STEMI recommendations, and their mortality remains high if their management is delayed.     

Impact of fractional flow reserve on decision-making in daily clinical practice: A single center experience in Egypt

Background

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the reference standard for the assessment of the functional significance of coronary artery stenoses, but remains underutilized. Our aims were to study whether FFR changed the decision for treatment of intermediate coronary lesions and to assess the clinical outcome in the deferred and intervention groups.

氯吡格雷治疗非ST段抬高ACS疗效观察

目的研究氯吡格雷和噻氯匹啶治疗不稳定性心绞痛(UA)和非ST段抬高心肌梗塞(NSTEM I)的临床疗效。方法非ST段抬高急性冠脉综合征患者共112例,随机分为两组。治疗组56例,氯吡格雷75mgqd;对照组56例,噻氯匹啶250mg B id,14天后改为250mg qd。两组患者均同时应用阿司匹林、低分子肝素等,基础治疗相同。随访3个月。统计两组治疗后心脏事件的发生率和不良反应。结果治疗3个月后,两组患者心脏事件发生率相似,但氯吡格雷组的粒细胞减少发生率低(0比5.4%),胃肠道反应少(7.1%比16.1%),皮疹发生少(3.6%比12.5%),停药发生少(1.8%比8.9%)。结论氯吡格雷治疗非ST段抬高急性冠脉综合征疗效与噻氯匹啶相当,不良反应发生率低,患者依从性好。     

Sinoatrial Nodal Artery Arising from the Right Posterolateral Artery: A Rare Anatomical Variant

We discuss a case report of a 66-year-old male with no prior cardiac history who presented to the hospital with persistent hiccups and shortness of breath. Following a positive nuclear stress test and cardiac catheterization, a rare anatomical variant of a sinoatrial nodal artery originating from the right posterolateral artery was revealed.     

合并2型糖尿病的老年NSTEMI患者应用替罗非班的疗效和安全性研究

目的观察在应用常规抗血小板聚集、抗凝药物的基础上合用替罗非班治疗合并2型糖尿病的老年非ST段抬高型心肌梗死（NSTEMI）患者的临床疗效和安全性。方法选取合并2型糖尿病的老年NSTEMI患者80例,随机分成替罗非班治疗组40例和对照组40例。对照组患者应用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷、低分子肝素钙联合治疗7d;治疗组在对照组用药的基础上,加用替罗非班静脉注射。观察两组治疗7d内全因死亡、梗死后心绞痛、再发心肌梗死的发生率,出血情况和血小板计数变化。结果治疗组较对照组7d内全因死亡、梗死后心绞痛、再发心肌梗死的发生率显著下降,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。两组患者均无严重出血,轻中度出血的发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;治疗组患者血小板计数较用药前无明显下降（P〉0.05）,与对照组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论在使用常规抗血小板聚集、抗凝药物基础上合用替罗非班治疗合并2型糖尿病的老年NSTEMI患者安全有效。     

Changing pattern of admissions for acute myocardial infarction in India during the COVID-19 pandemic

AimStudies on the changes in the presentation and management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during the COVID-19 pandemic from low- and middle-income countries are limited. We sought to determine the changes in the number of admissions, management practices, and outcomes of AMI during the pandemic period in India.Methods & ResultsIn this two-timepoint cross-sectional study involving 187 hospitals across India, patients admitted with AMI between 15th March to 15th June in 2020 were compared with those admitted during the corresponding period of 2019.We included 41,832 consecutive adults with AMI. Admissions during the pandemic period (n = 16414) decreased by 35·4% as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 (n = 25418). We observed significant heterogeneity in this decline across India. The weekly average decrease in AMI admissions in 2020 correlated negatively with the number of COVID cases (r = −0·48; r² = 0·2), but strongly correlated with the stringency of lockdown index (r = 0·95; r² = 0·90). On a multi-level logistic regression, admissions were lower in 2020 with older age categories, tier 1 cities, and centers with high patient volume. Adjusted utilization rate of coronary angiography, and percutaneous coronary intervention decreased by 11·3%, and 5·9% respectively.ConclusionsThe magnitude of reduction in AMI admissions across India was not uniform. The nature, time course, and the patient demographics were different compared to reports from other countries, suggesting a significant impact due to the lockdown. These findings have important implications in managing AMI during the pandemic.