Incidence and impact on prognosis of bleeding during percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Limited information exists on the prognostic impact of bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We investigated the impact of bleeding after PCI on the outcome of these patients.

METHODS

The study included 2,934 patients with estimated creatinine clearance <60 ml/min. Bleeding events within 30 days after PCI were assessed using the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality.

RESULTS

Bleeding events occurred in 485 patients (16.5 %). BARC classes were: class 1 (n = 155), class 2 (n = 73), class 3a (n = 182), class 3b (n = 68), class 3c (n = 6) and class 4 (n = 1). There were 212 deaths over the first year after PCI: 60 deaths in patients who bled and 152 deaths in patients who did not bleed (Kaplan-Meier [KM] estimates, 12.5 and 6.3 %; odds ratio [OR] = 2.11, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.57-2.83, P < 0.001). Nonfatal myocardial infarction occurred in 71 patients who bled and in 141 patients who did not bleed (KM estimates, 14.8 and 5.8 %; OR = 2.70 [2.05-3.55], P < 0.001). After adjustment, bleeding was independently associated with increased risk of 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.90 [1.33-2.72], P < 0.001) and myocardial infarction (adjusted HR = 2.74 [1.99-3.78], P < 0.001). Bleeding improved the discriminatory power of the multivariable model for prediction of mortality (absolute and relative integrated discrimination improvement [IDI], 0.011 and 15.4 %; P = 0.004) or myocardial infarction (absolute and relative IDI, 0.017 and 70.8 %; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Peri-PCI bleeding in patients with CKD is independently associated with the increased risk of 1-year mortality and nonfatal myocardial infarction.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent resistance and mortality in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients

Background

Responsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) varies widely among dialysis patients. ESA resistance has been associated with mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients, but in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients data is limited. Therefore we assessed the relation between ESA resistance in both HD and PD patients.

Methods

NECOSAD is a Dutch multi-center prospective cohort study of incident dialysis patients who started dialysis between January 1997 and January 2007. ESA resistance was defined as hemoglobin level < 11 g/dL with an above median ESA dose (i.e. 8,000 units/week in HD and 4,000 units/week in PD patients). Unadjusted and adjusted Cox regression analysis for all-cause 5-year mortality was performed for HD and PD patients separately.

Results

1013 HD and 461 PD patients were included in the analysis. ESA resistant HD patients had an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.37 (95% CI 1.04-1.80) and ESA resistant PD patients had an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.41 (1.27-4.57) as compared to patients with a good response.

Conclusions

ESA resistance, as defined by categories of ESA and Hb, is associated with increased mortality in both HD and PD patients. The effect of ESA resistance, ESA dose and hemoglobin are closely related and the exact mechanism remains unclear. Our results strengthen the need to investigate and treat causes of ESA resistance not only in HD, but also in PD patients.

Significant improvement of a clinical training course in physical examination after basic structural changes in the teaching content and methods

Background: Regular student evaluations at the Technical University Munich indicate the necessity for improvement of the clinical examination course. The aim of this study was to examine if targeted measures to restructure and improve a clinical examination course session lead to a higher level of student satisfaction as well as better self-assessment of the acquired techniques of clinical examination.

Methods: At three medical departments of the Technical University Munich during the 2010 summer semester, the quantitative results of 49 student evaluations (ratings 1-6, German scholastic grading system) of the clinical examination course were compared for a course before and a course after structured measures for improvement. These measures included structured teaching instructions, handouts and additional material from the Internet.

Results: 47 evaluations were completed before and 34 evaluations after the measures for improvement. The measures named above led to a significant improvement of the evaluative ratings in the following areas: short introduction to the topic of each clinical examination course (from 2.4±1.2 to1.7±1.0; p=0.0020) and to basic measures of hygiene (from 3.8±1.9 to 2.5±1.8; p=0.004), structured demonstration of each clinical examination step (from 2.9±1.5 to 1.8±1.0; p=0.001), sufficient practice of each clinical examination step (from 3.1±1.8 to 2.2±1.4; p=0.030) structured feedback on each clinical examination step (from 3.0±1.4 to 2.3±1.0; p=0.0070), use of handouts (from 5.2±1.4 to 1.8±1.4; p<0.001), advice on additional learning material (from 5.0±1.4 to 3.4±2.0; p<0.001), general learning experience (from 2.4±0.9 to 1.9±0.8; p=0.017), and self-assessment of the acquired techniques of clinical examination (from 3.5±1.3 to 2.5±1.1; p<0.01).

Conclusion: Structured changes led to significant improvement in the evaluative ratings of a clinical examination course session concerning preparation of the tutors, structure of the course, and confidence in performing physical examinations.

Safety and mid-term outcome of endovascular therapy for internal carotid artery disease: a 15-year experience at a single-centre angiology institution

Background: Endovascular therapy of carotid artery disease has emerged as a potential alternative to endarterectomy and its clinical practise dramatically increased in many parts of the world. This study aims to determine the safety and mid-term outcome of carotid artery stenting (CAS) within a 15-year carotid program at a single-centre institution. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analysed all CAS-procedures performed at our institution between 1995 and 2009. Results: During the observation period, a total of 497 CAS procedures were attempted in 460 patients with stenoses of the internal carotid artery of which 187 (37.6 %) were symptomatic and 310 (62.4 %) were asymptomatic. CAS was successful in 479 (96.4 %) cases and success rate significantly increased throughout the study (p < 0.001). The periprocedural complication rate for death, stroke, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) was 0.4 %, 1.2 %, and 2.6 %, respectively, and the cumulative event rate did not differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (4.8 % vs. 3.9 %; p = 0.62). Age was the only significant predictor for the occurrence of any periprocedural adverse event (OR 2.08 [1.22 - 3.54]; p = 0.007). During a median follow-up of 24 [1; 141] months, the rate of stroke, TIA, and in-stent restenosis was 1.0 %, 2.2 %, and 2.7 %, respectively. Conclusions: Data from this large observation in everyday clinical patients demonstrate that endovascular therapy in carotid artery disease can be performed safely and with mid-term outcomes comparable to carotid endarterectomy.

Sex-related effectiveness of bivalirudin versus abciximab and heparin in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Female sex independently predicts bleeding risk after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Bivalirudin is safer than abciximab plus heparin in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Thus, a greater benefit of bivalirudin in women would be expected.

METHODS

We performed a sex-based analysis of the patients with NSTEMI (n = 1,721, 399 women) enrolled in the ISAR-REACT 4 trial and randomized to receive bivalirudin or abciximab plus heparin. Main outcome was a 30-day composite of death, large recurrent myocardial infarction, urgent target vessel revascularization, or major bleeding. Secondary outcome was 1-year composite of death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization.

RESULTS

No difference in the main outcome was observed in groups with bivalirudin or abciximab plus heparin: 12.6% versus 15.5% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.81, 95% CI 0.48-1.37) among women and 10.6% versus 9.5% (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.77-1.64) among men. Major bleeding occurred in 4.5% in the bivalirudin group versus 7.5% in the abciximab plus heparin group (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.26-1.39) among women and 2.0% versus 3.8% (HR 0.52, 0.27-1.02) among men. At 1 year, the secondary outcome was observed in 24.1% in the bivalirudin group versus 28.7% in the abciximab plus heparin group among women, HR of 0.80 (95% CI 0.55-1.17), and in 20.6% and 19.0%, respectively, HR of 1.10 (95% CI 0.86-1.40) among men.

CONCLUSION

Despite a higher peri-PCI bleeding risk in women, bivalirudin is as effective as and safer than abciximab plus heparin in women and men with NSTEMI undergoing PCI.

Paclitaxel-eluting balloons, paclitaxel-eluting stents, and balloon angioplasty in patients with restenosis after implantation of a drug-eluting stent (ISAR-DESIRE 3): a randomised, open-label trial

BACKGROUND

The best way to manage restenosis in patients who have previously received a drug-eluting stent is unknown. We investigated the efficacy of paclitaxel-eluting balloons (PEB), paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES), and balloon angioplasty in these patients.

METHODS

In this randomised, open-label trial, we enrolled patients older than 18 years with restenosis of at least 50% after implantation of any limus-eluting stent at three centres in Germany between Aug 3, 2009, and Oct 27, 2011. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1; stratified according to centre) to receive PEB, PES, or balloon angioplasty alone by means of sealed, opaque envelopes containing a computer-generated sequence. Patients and investigators were not masked to treatment allocation, but events and angiograms were assessed by individuals who were masked. The primary endpoint was diameter stenosis at follow-up angiography at 6-8 months. Primary analysis was done by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00987324.

FINDINGS

We enrolled 402 patients, of whom 137 (34%) were assigned to PEB, 131 (33%) to PES, and 134 (33%) to balloon angioplasty. Follow-up angiography at 6-8 months was available for 338 (84%) patients. PEB was non-inferior to PES in terms of diameter stenosis (38·0% [SD 21·5] vs 37·4% [21·8]; difference 0·6%, one-sided 95% CI 4·9%; p(non-inferiority)=0·007; non-inferiority margin of 7%). Findings were consistent in per-protocol analysis (p(non-inferiority)=0·011). PEB and PES were superior to balloon angioplasty alone (54·1% [25·0]; p(superiority)<0·0001 for both comparisons). Frequency of death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion thrombosis did not differ between groups.

INTERPRETATION

By obviating the need for additional stent implantation, PEB could be a useful treatment for patients with restenosis after implantation of a drug-eluting stent.

FUNDING

Deutsches Herzzentrum.

Inhibitors of the initiation of coagulation

Initiation of blood coagulation occurs mainly through tissue factor (TF) that becomes exposed to blood following vascular injury. Cell-associated TF binds to the serine protease FVIIa and initiates a cascade of amplified zymogen activation reactions leading to thrombus formation. As TF-FVIIa directed inhibitors might achieve anticoagulant efficacy without significantly interfering with normal haemostasis, the TF-FVIIa complex is an interesting target in thrombosis-related disease. Various approaches have been used to inhibit the TF-FVIIa complex including active site-inhibited FVIIa, TF antibodies, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), naturally occurring inhibitors, peptide exosite inhibitors and active site inhibitors. Several experimental studies using these inhibitors have displayed promise. However, none of these TF/FVIIa inhibitors has reached clinical testing. Further studies are required to evaluate the clinical efficacy of these novel inhibitors.

Abciximab and heparin versus bivalirudin for non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The combination of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and heparin has not been compared with bivalirudin in studies specifically involving patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We compared the two treatments in this patient population.

METHODS

Immediately before PCI, we randomly assigned, in a double-blind manner, 1721 patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction to receive abciximab plus unfractionated heparin (861 patients) or bivalirudin (860 patients). The study tested the hypothesis that abciximab and heparin would be superior to bivalirudin with respect to the primary composite end point of death, large recurrent myocardial infarction, urgent target-vessel revascularization, or major bleeding within 30 days. Secondary end points included the composite of death, any recurrent myocardial infarction, or urgent target-vessel revascularization (efficacy end point) and major bleeding (safety end point) within 30 days.

RESULTS

The primary end point occurred in 10.9% of the patients in the abciximab group (94 patients) and in 11.0% in the bivalirudin group (95 patients) (relative risk with abciximab, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74 to 1.32; P=0.94). Death, any recurrent myocardial infarction, or urgent target-vessel revascularization occurred in 12.8% of the patients in the abciximab group (110 patients) and in 13.4% in the bivalirudin group (115 patients) (relative risk, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.25; P=0.76). Major bleeding occurred in 4.6% of the patients in the abciximab group (40 patients) as compared with 2.6% in the bivalirudin group (22 patients) (relative risk, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.07; P=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Abciximab and unfractionated heparin, as compared with bivalirudin, failed to reduce the rate of the primary end point and increased the risk of bleeding among patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who were undergoing PCI. (Funded by Nycomed Pharma and others; ISAR-REACT 4 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00373451.).

Drug-eluting versus bare-metal stents in saphenous vein graft lesions (ISAR-CABG): a randomised controlled superiority trial

BACKGROUND

Comparative assessment of clinical outcomes after use of drug-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents for treatment of aortocoronary saphenous vein graft lesions has not been undertaken in large randomised trials. We aimed to undertake a comparison in a randomised trial powered for clinical endpoints.

METHODS

In this randomised superiority trial, patients with de-novo saphenous vein graft lesions were assigned by computer-generated sequence (1:1:1:3) to receive either drug-eluting stents (one of three types: permanent-polymer paclitaxel-eluting stents, permanent-polymer sirolimus-eluting stents, or biodegradable-polymer sirolimus-eluting stents) or bare-metal stents. Randomisation took place immediately after crossing of the lesion with a guidewire, and was stratified for each participating centre. Investigators assessing data were masked to treatment allocation; patients were not masked to allocation. The primary endpoint was the combined incidence of death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularisation at 1 year. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00611910.

FINDINGS

610 patients were allocated to treatment groups (303 drug-eluting stent, 307 bare-metal stent). Drug-eluting stents reduced the incidence of the primary endpoint compared with bare-metal stents (44 [15%] vs 66 [22%] patients; hazard ratio [HR] 0.64, 95% CI 0.44-0.94; p=0.02). Target lesion revascularisation rate was reduced by drug-eluting stents (19 [7%] vs 37 [13%] patients; HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.86; p=0.01). No significant differences were seen between drug-eluting stents and bare-metal stents regarding all-cause mortality (15 [5%] vs 14 [5%] patients; HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.52-2.24; p=0.83), myocardial infarction (12 [4%] vs 18 [6%]; HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.32-1.37; p=0.27), or definite or probable stent thrombosis (2 [1%] in both groups; HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.14-7.10; p=0.99).

INTERPRETATION

In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for de-novo saphenous vein graft lesions, drug-eluting stents are the preferred treatment option because they reduce the risk of adverse events compared with bare-metal stents.

FUNDING

Deutsches Herzzentrum.

Polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting versus new generation zotarolimus-eluting stents in coronary artery disease: the Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Test Efficacy of Sirolimus- and Probucol-Eluting versus Zotarolimus-eluting Stents (ISAR-TEST 5) trial

BACKGROUND

Durable polymer coatings have been implicated in mid- and long-term adverse events after drug-eluting stent implantation. A polymer-free dual-drug sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent and a new generation permanent polymer zotarolimus-eluting stent are recently developed technologies demonstrating encouraging results.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a clinical trial with minimal exclusion criteria, we randomly assigned 3002 patients to treatment with sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents versus zotarolimus-eluting stents. The trial was designed to demonstrate noninferiority of the sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents. The primary end point was the combined incidence of cardiac death, target-vessel-related myocardial infarction, or target-lesion revascularization at 1-year follow-up. Follow-up angiography was scheduled at 6 to 8 months. The sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent was noninferior to the zotarolimus-eluting stent in terms of occurrence of the primary end point (13.1% versus 13.5%, respectively, P(noninferiority)=0.006; hazard ratio=0.97, 95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 1.19; P(superiority)=0.74). The incidence of definite/probable stent thrombosis was low in both groups (1.1% versus 1.2%, respectively; hazard ratio=0.91 [95% confidence interval, 0.45 to 1.84], P=0.80). With regard to angiographic efficacy, there were no differences between the sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent and the zotarolimus-eluting stent in terms of either in-segment binary angiographic restenosis (13.3% versus 13.4% respectively; P=0.95) or in-stent late luminal loss (0.31±0.58 mm versus 0.29±0.56 mm, respectively; P=0.46).

CONCLUSION

In this large-scale study powered for clinical end points, a polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent was noninferior to a new generation durable polymer-based zotarolimus-eluting stent out to 12 months.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier NCT 00598533.

Prognostic value of sensitive troponin T in patients with stable and unstable angina and undetectable conventional troponin

BACKGROUND

high-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays enable the measurement of cardiac troponin concentrations in the majority of patients with coronary artery disease. The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of sensitive cardiac troponin in patients with stable and unstable angina presenting with undetectable levels of conventional troponin.

METHODS

this study included 1,057 patients with stable (808 patients) or unstable (249 patients) angina who presented with undetectable conventional cardiac troponin T and underwent coronary artery revascularization. The cardiac troponin T was measured with conventional and high-sensitivity assays, in parallel, using the same plasma sample. The primary end point was 4-year mortality.

RESULTS

the total sensitive troponin T level (median [interquartile range]) was 0.008 (0.005-0.014) microg/L. Variables independently associated with an elevated level of sensitive troponin T were elderly age, male sex, higher body mass index, presence of diabetes, unstable angina, increased New York Heart Association class, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, elevated level of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, reduced glomerular filtration rate, and elevated level of C-reactive protein. During the follow-up period, there were 83 deaths. The sensitive troponin T level was an independent predictor of 4-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.47 with 95% CI 1.17-1.84, P < .001 for each unit increase in the natural logarithm of the sensitive troponin T).

CONCLUSIONS

the elevated levels of sensitive cardiac troponin T in patients with stable or unstable angina presenting with undetectable conventional cardiac troponin T are significantly associated with reduced survival.

Effects of G-CSF on systemic inflammation, coagulation and platelet activation in patients with acute myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

In the prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled Regenerate Vital Myocardium by Vigorous Activation of Bone Marrow Stem Cells (REVIVAL)-2 trial patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and successful mechanical reperfusion received granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF, 10 μg/kg KG s.c.) or placebo for 5 days. Aim of this substudy was to assess the impact of G-CSF on systemic inflammatory and procoagulant responses and platelet activation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Before and five days after G-CSF (n=56) or placebo (n=58) circulating cytokine concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and Tumor-Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α were measured. Prothrombin fragment F1+2 and Tissue Factor activity served as a measure for activated coagulation. Platelet activation was characterized by cell surface expression of the activated fibrinogen receptor (PAC-1), P-selectin and CD40L by flow cytometry. Administration of G-CSF was associated with elevated TNF-α and CRP concentrations compared to the placebo group after 5 days. Other cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12) were comparable after treatment with G-SCF or placebo. Similarly, circulating prothrombin fragments F1+2, TF activity and platelet activation did not differ in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with G-CSF in patients with AMI was associated with enhanced proinflammatory TNF-α and CRP levels but no activation of coagulation.

[Traumatic optic neuropathy: a review of the literature in the light of personal experiences]

BACKGROUND

Therapy of traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is still discussed controversially. Studies of medical treatment and surgical decompression of the nerve could not find any correlation between therapy and result. Today's knowledge of the treatment in TON is to be analyzed by the latest results in the literature, supplemented by personal experiences with our own patients, who underwent a combination of corticosteroids and surgical decompression.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 9 patients at the age of 13-58 years. 8 patients suffered from a cranial trauma, 1 patient had sinus surgery, which resulted in an indirect damage of the optic nerve. Pretherapeutically, 5 patients had residual vision, 4 patients were blind. A fracture line through the optic canal in the CT-scan was seen in 6 cases. Decompression was performed within 24 hours in 3 cases; in the worst 3 cases it took up to 8 days. In 8 patients the intervention was performed via an endonasal, microscopic-endoscopic approach, once it was done transfacially. Simultaneously, high-dose corticosteroids were administered.

RESULTS

All patients with a residual vision before therapy showed an improvement of their visual acuity: In the best case visual acuity changed from perception of light to 0.8. All patients with posttraumatic blindness remained blind after therapy.

CONCLUSION

A surgical decompression may be considered in patients with residual vision. Referring to the latest data in the literature endonasal, microscopic-endoscopic decompression is then to be combined with simultaneous application of high-dose corticosteroids. In our opinion, a mere wait-and-see strategy completely without any treatment can hardly be recommended.