Residual inflammatory risk and the impact on clinical outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary interventions

Aims

It remains unknown what percentage of patients treated with percutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI) have high residual inflammatory risk (RIR). Moreover, the impact of RIR on clinical outcomes has not been established. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of patients with persistent high levels of inflammation after PCI and to evaluate clinical outcomes according to inflammatory response.

Methods and results

This is a retrospective cohort study assessing patients undergoing PCI between 2009 and 2016 with serial inflammatory status assessment from a large, prospective, and single-centre PCI registry. Assessment of inflammation status with at least two high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) measurements at baseline and follow-up with >4 weeks apart. High RIR was defined as an hsCRP≥ 2 mg/L. Patients were divided into four groups: persistent high RIR, increased RIR (first low-, then high hsCRP), attenuated RIR (first high-, then low hsCRP), or persistent low RIR. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1 year follow-up. Occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) was assessed as secondary outcome. Seven thousand and twenty-six patients were identified with serial hsCRP measurements (30.8% of all PCI patients). Of these patients 2654 (38%) had persistent high RIR, 719 patients (10%) had increased RIR, 1088 patients (15%) had attenuated RIR, and persistent low RIR was seen in 2565 patients (37%). All-cause mortality at 1 year was 2.6% in patients with persistent high RIR, compared with 1.0% in increased RIR, 0.3% in attenuated RIR, and 0.7% in persistent low RIR patients, P < 0.01. MI at 1 year was observed in 7.5% of persistent high RIR, compared with 6.4% in increased RIR, 4.6% in attenuated RIR, and 4.3% in persistent low RIR, P < 0.01. In an adjusted model, including accounting for diabetes mellitus, acute coronary syndrome, and baseline low-density lipoprotein, results were sustained.

Conclusion

Persistent high RIR is observed frequently in patients undergoing PCI. In these patients, significantly higher all-cause mortality and MI rates are observed at 1 year follow-up. Residual inflammatory risk in patients undergoing PCI should be identified and treatment options should be further explored.

Impact of Baseline Atrial Fibrillation on Outcomes Among Women Who Underwent Contemporary Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (from the Win-TAVI Registry)

Pre-existing atrial fibrillation (AF) is common among patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and has been associated with adverse outcomes. The specific impact of AF at baseline in women who underwent TAVI, however, remains unknown. The Women's International Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation is a prospective, multinational registry evaluating the safety and performance of contemporary TAVI in women in 19 centers between January 2013 and December 2015. Patients with available electrocardiogram at baseline were compared according to the presence of AF. All events were adjudicated according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 criteria. Associations between AF and outcomes were tested using multivariate Cox regression model. Of the 993 women with available baseline electrocardiogram included in the study, 200 (20.1%) presented with AF. Patients with AF at baseline had higher Euroscore I score values and more frequently had chronic kidney disease or prior stroke. Patients without AF more frequently had coronary artery disease. There was no difference regarding in-hospital events between the two groups aside from longer length of stay for patients with AF (13.3 ± 11 vs 11.5 ± 7.1 days, p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, AF at baseline was associated with an increase of all-cause and cardiovascular death at 12 months (_adjHR 1.67 95%CI 1.11 to 2.50, p = 0.013 and _adjHR 1.85 95%CI 1.19 to 2.86, p = 0.006 respectively). In conclusion, in this prospective registry of women who underwent contemporary TAVI, the presence of AF at baseline was associated with significantly increased 12-month mortality.

Meta-Analysis Comparing Complete or Culprit Only Revascularization in Patients With Multivessel Disease Presenting With Cardiogenic Shock

The optimal strategy for patients with an acute myocardial infarction (MI) and multivessel (MV) coronary artery disease complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) remains unknown. We conducted a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials and observational studies that reported adjusted effect measures to evaluate the association of MV-PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention), compared with culprit only (C)-PCI, with cardiovascular events in patients admitted for CS and MV disease. We identified 12 studies (n = 1 randomized controlled trials, n = 11 observational) that included 7,417 patients (n = 1,809 treated with MV-PCI and n = 5,608 with C-PCI). When compared with C-PCI, MV-PCI was not associated with an increased risk of short-term death (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87 to 1.48, p = 0.35 and adjusted OR [OR_adj] 1.00, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.43, p = 1.00). In-hospital and/or short-term mortality tended to be higher with MV-PCI, when compared with C-PCI, for CS patients needing dialysis (ß 0.12, 95% CI from 0.049 to 0.198; p= 0.001), whereas MV-PCI was associated with lower in-hospital and/or short-term mortality in patients with an anterior MI (ß -0.022, 95% CI -0.03 to -0.01; p <0.001). MV-PCI strategy was associated with a more frequent need for dialysis or contrast-induced nephropathy after revascularization (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.75, p = 0.02). In conclusion, MV-PCI seems not to increase risk of death during short- or long-term follow-up when compared with C-PCI in patients admitted for MV coronary artery disease and MI complicated by CS. Furthermore, it appears a more favorable strategy in patients with anterior MI, whereas the increased risk for AKI and its negative prognostic impact should be considered in decision-making process. Further studies are needed to confirm our hypothesis on in these subpopulations of CS patients.

Determinants of Significant Out-Of-Hospital Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

 Although several variables have been identified as bleeding determinants (BDs), their occurrence and predictive value in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the real world remain unclear. We aimed to characterize the rate of BDs in patients undergoing PCI with stent implantation in a large volume tertiary centre.

METHODS

 We included patients undergoing coronary stenting at our institution from January 2012 to December 2016, and defined post-discharge bleeding (PDB) as bleeding requiring hospitalization or transfusion. Several BDs, identified by the PARIS bleeding and PRECISE-DAPT scores and inclusion criteria of the LEADERS FREE trial, were analysed.

RESULTS

 In a population of 10,406 subjects who underwent PCI, 2,938 patients (28.2%) had 1, 2,367 (22.8%) had 2 and 2,913 (28.0%) had ≥3 pre-specified BD. Compared with patients without PDB, subjects who experienced PDB were older (70.43 ± 11.94 vs. 65.90 ± 11.54 years, p < 0.0001) with a higher prevalence of common cardiovascular risk factors. One-year PDB occurred in 177 patients (2.4%), and consistently increased according to the number of BDs involved (1.12, 2.11 and 4.35%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Analogously, 1-year rates of post-discharge myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis increased according to the number of BDs (2.44, 3.38 and 4.87%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Only 7 BDs remained independently associated with PDB at 1 year, with anaemia, oral anticoagulant at discharge and malignancy representing the strongest predictors of such risk.

CONCLUSION

 Many risk factors predispose to PDB; they were often clustered together and conferred additive PDB risk at 1-year of follow-up.

Recurrent myocardial infarction in a 47-year-old woman with a mechanical mitral valve prosthesis: Atherosclerosis, embolism, or spasm?

We present a case of a 47-year-old woman with a mechanical mitral valve prosthesis and recurrent myocardial infarction. The most common etiology of spontaneous myocardial infarction is an acute coronary syndrome caused by rupture or erosion of an atherosclerotic plaque. However, the differential diagnosis in the patient described below also included infarction due to embolization or coronary spasm. It can be challenging to discriminate between the different causes of myocardial infarction based on interpretation of symptoms, physical examination, laboratory tests, and electrocardiography alone. This report illustrates the value of coronary angiography with invasive coronary spasm provocation testing using intracoronary acetylcholine to identify the etiology of her recurrent myocardial infarctions.

A Randomized Comparison of Paclitaxel-Eluting Balloon Versus Everolimus-Eluting Stent for the Treatment of Any In-Stent Restenosis: The DARE Trial

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to evaluate the relative performance of a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) and a drug-eluting stent (DES) in patients with any (bare-metal or drug-eluting stent) in-stent restenosis (ISR).

BACKGROUND

The treatment of ISR remains challenging in contemporary clinical practice.

METHODS

In a multicenter randomized noninferiority trial, patients with any ISR were randomly allocated in a 1:1 fashion to treatment with a DEB (SeQuent Please paclitaxel-eluting balloon, B. Braun Melsungen, Melsungen, Germany), or a DES (XIENCE everolimus-eluting stent, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California). The primary endpoint was noninferiority in terms of in-segment minimal lumen diameter (MLD) at 6-month angiographic follow-up. Secondary endpoints included angiographic parameters at 6 months and clinical follow-up up to 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 278 patients, of whom 56% had DES-ISR, were randomized at 8 sites to treatment with DEB (n = 141) or DES (n = 137). As compared with DEB, DES was associated with larger MLD and lower % stenosis immediately post-procedure (1.84 ± 0.46 vs. 1.72 ± 0.35; p = 0.018; and 26 ± 10% vs. 30 ± 10%; p = 0.03). Angiographic follow up was completed at 196 ± 53 days in 79% of patients. With respect to the primary endpoint of in-segment MLD at 6 months, DEB was noninferior to DES (DEB 1.71 ± 0.51 mm vs. DES 1.74 ± 0.61 mm; p for noninferiority <0.0001). Target vessel revascularization at 12-month follow-up was similar in both groups (DES 7.1% vs. DEB 8.8%; p = 0.65).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ISR, treatment with DEB was noninferior compared with DES in terms of 6-month MLD. There were no differences in clinical endpoints, including target vessel revascularization up to 12 months. Therefore, use of a DEB is an attractive treatment option for in-stent restenosis, withholding the need for additional stent implantation.

Influence of chronic kidney disease on anticoagulation levels and bleeding after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients treated with unfractionated heparin

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) plasma protein binding and elimination might be impaired in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD-defined as creatinine clearance <60 ml/min). It is currently unknown at which UFH bolus dose persistent prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) occurs in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with CKD. We investigated the effect of different UFH bolus doses on the first aPTT measured within 6 and 12 h after PPCI in 1071 STEMI patients with and without CKD undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) between 1-1-2003 and 31-07-2008. In the first 6 h after PPCI, aPTT ratio was 5.1 for patients with CKD versus 3.4 for those without (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with markedly high aPTTs (aPTT ratio ≥ 4 times control) increased with increasing heparin bolus and beyond 130 IU/kg there was a marked difference between patients with and without CKD (74.1 and 42.3 % respectively, p < 0.001). By multivariable analysis, CKD was associated with an increased risk of markedly high aPTTs (odds ratio (OR) 2.04; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.27-3.27), driven largely by an increased risk of aPTT prolongation in patients treated with UFH boluses ≥130 IU/kg (OR 3.69; 95 % CI 1.85-7.36; p for interaction = 0.009). In conclusion, CKD is associated with severe persistent aPTT prolongation in STEMI patients undergoing PPCI, possibly due to impaired plasma protein binding and reduced UFH elimination. A lower heparin bolus dose might result in lower aPTTs and less bleeding complications in patients with CKD undergoing PPCI.

Physiology-guided myocardial revascularisation in complex multivessel coronary artery disease: beyond the 2014 ESC/EACTS guidelines on myocardial revascularisation

For patients with multivessel coronary artery disease there are two options for revascularisation: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG). In daily clinical practice, a heart team consisting of an interventional cardiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon decide on the most appropriate mode of revascularization. The current European guidelines on myocardial revascularisation include updated recommendations for patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. In patients with stable angina, three-vessel disease and a SYNTAX score of 23–32 or >32 a class I level of evidence A recommendation for CABG was issued as compared to PCI which received a class III recommendation. Although the authors of this viewpoint greatly appreciate the efforts of the guideline committee, we believe that it was an oversight not to include recommendations on physiology-guided PCI in multivessel disease (MVD). In this viewpoint, it is argued that physiology-guided revascularization using current-generation drug-eluting stents is a reasonable alternative for complex multivessel disease.

Performance of currently available risk models in a cohort of mechanically supported high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention--From the PROTECT II randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Procedural risk scores facilitate clinical decision making by using individual patient characteristics to estimate the risk of adverse events. The performance of PCI-based risk scores is not well-described among patients undergoing hemodynamically supported high risk PCI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 427 patients with unprotected left main disease, last remaining vessel or three-vessel disease with severely reduced left ventricular function underwent supported high-risk PCI with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP, N = 211) or a left ventricular assist device (Impella 2.5, N = 216) as part of the PROTECT II trial. We examined the performance of the additive Euroscore, logistic Euroscore, STS mortality score, STS morbidity and mortality score, Mayo Clinic risk score and New York state PCI risk score on the endpoint of 90-day mortality in this unique high-risk population. Mean age was 67.2 ± 10.9 years; 65.8% of patients were in NYHA class III/IV, and mean LVEF was 24%. All-cause 90-day mortality was 10.4%. The scores were generally correlated (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons), with R(2) values ranging from 0.28 (STS morbidity/mortality and Mayo Clinic) to 0.68 (logistic Euroscore and STS mortality). However, receiver-operator curves for 90-day all-cause mortality for all risk scores demonstrated poor discriminatory performance with c-statistics of 0.542-0.616. Calibration of the risk scores was not poor, but varied according to the specific score examined.

CONCLUSION

The discriminatory capacity of currently available risk models is suboptimal when applied to a cohort of mechanically supported complex high-risk PCI. A risk score designed specifically for this population could help to further refine risk assessment.

Meta-analysis on the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusions on left ventricular function and clinical outcome

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) may have a beneficial effect on survival through a better-preserved or improved LVEF. Current literature consists of small observational studies therefore we performed a weighted meta-analysis on the impact of revascularization of CTOs on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and long-term mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating LVEF before and after CTO PCI and long-term mortality. No language or time restrictions were applied. References from the identified articles and reviews were examined to find additional relevant manuscripts.

RESULTS

Of the 812 citations, 34 studies performed between 1987-2014 in 2243 patients were eligible for LVEF and 27 studies performed between 1990-2013 in 11,085 patients with success and 4347 patients that failed CTO PCI were eligible for long-term mortality. After successful CTO PCI, LVEF increased with 4.44% (95% CI: 3.52-5.35, p<0.01) compared to baseline. In a small cohort of ~70 patients, no significant difference in LVEF was observed after non-successful CTO PCI or reocclusion. Additionally, 8 studies reported the change in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) in a total of 412 patients. LVEDV decreased with 6.14 ml/m(2) (95% CI: -9.31 to -2.97, p<0.01). Successful CTO PCI was also associated with reduced mortality in comparison with failed CTO PCI (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.43-0.62, p-value<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The current meta-analysis revealed that successful recanalization of a CTO resulted in an overall improvement of 4.44% absolute LVEF points, reduced adverse remodeling and an improvement of survival (OR: 0.52).

Long-term mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in patients with insulin-treated versus non-insulin-treated diabetes mellitus

AIMS

We investigated the impact of preadmission diabetic status on long-term outcome in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), to improve risk stratification.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between 1997 and 2007, 4,402 STEMI patients were admitted to our hospital and stratified as having insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) (n=176), non-ITDM (NITDM) (n=354) and non-DM (n=3,872). Five-year mortality was significantly higher in patients with DM compared to non-DM (29% vs. 18%, p<0.01). After stratification for preadmission glucose-lowering therapy, five-year mortality was significantly higher in ITDM patients compared to NITDM (36% vs. 25%, p=0.01) and in NITDM patients compared to non-DM patients (25% vs. 18%, p<0.01). After adjustment for age and gender the mortality risk between patients with NITDM versus non-DM was comparable (HR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.9-1.4, p=0.38), in contrast to patients with ITDM (HR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.5-2.5, p<0.01) and ITDM versus NITDM (HR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2-2.4, p<0.01). After adjustment for all baseline characteristics, the results were comparable to the age and gender adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS

ITDM was a strong predictor for long-term mortality when compared to non-DM and NITDM. The mortality between patients without DM and NITDM was comparable after adjustment for age and gender.