Impact of six versus 12 months of dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with drug-eluting stent implantation after risk stratification with the residual SYNTAX score: Results from a secondary analysis of the I-LOVE-IT 2 trial

Relevance of High Bleeding Risk and Postdischarge Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Bleeding avoidance strategies are critical in the modern era of percutaneous coronary intervention; however, most efforts are geared toward reducing access-related complications. Improvements in procedural techniques (radial access, improved procedural anticoagulation regimens, etc) and modifications in postdischarge pharmacotherapy (shortened dual antiplatelet therapy, genotype-guided P2Y12 inhibition, etc) that led to a decline in bleeding related to percutaneous procedures were largely offset by increases in complexity and performance of percutaneous coronary intervention in high-risk patients. Among patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome, aggressive antiplatelet regimens with potent P2Y12 inhibitors are typically prescribed for a longer duration, prioritizing reduction in ischemic events over bleeding risk. Because postdischarge bleeding connotes an adverse prognosis similar to an ischemic event, postprocedure freedom from adverse outcomes can be best tailored by individualizing and recognizing the patient's bleeding and ischemic risks. This review of the contemporary and historical literature (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) summarizes the available data, provides strategies to navigate these complex decisions, and helps individualize antithrombotic therapy.

Integrated network pharmacology to investigate the mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge in the treatment of myocardial infarction

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is a natural drug for treating myocardial infarction (MI). However, the targets and mechanisms of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge in the treatment of MI are yet to be elucidated. Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) data were used to screen out chemical constituents, and UniProt was used to predict relevant targets. Disease targets were obtained from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man and GeneCards databases. We used the STRING platform to build a protein-protein interaction network and used Cytoscape_v3.8.1 software to make a Drug-Ingredients-Gene Symbols-Disease network map. The Metascape database was used to perform gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses for drug-disease overlapping gene symbols. The targets identified by network pharmacology were further verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Seventy-five active components of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge were obtained from the TCMSP database, while 370 disease targets and 29 cross-targets were obtained from the Genecards database. The KEGG pathway enrichment results suggested that the mechanism of S. miltiorrhiza Bunge in the treatment of MI was significantly related to the VEGF signalling pathway. In vitro and in vivo experiments were used to evaluate the reliability of some important active ingredients and targets. S. miltiorrhiza Bunge alleviated the damage to cardiac function, attenuated myocardial fibrosis and protected endothelial cell function by increasing the expression of TGF-β and VEGFA. S. miltiorrhiza Bunge showed the therapeutic effect of MI by promoting the expression of VEGFA signalling pathway, providing a reliable basis for exploring herbal treatment of MI.

Astragalus propinquus schischkin and Salvia miltiorrhiza bunge promote angiogenesis to treat myocardial ischemia via Ang-1/Tie-2/FAK pathway

Astragalus propinquus Schischkin and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (AS) have been clinically used as adjunctive drugs in the treatment of myocardial ischemia (MI). However, the effect and mechanism of AS on MI have yet to be fully recognized. Here, we explored the cardioprotective effect of their combined use, and the mechanism of promoting angiogenesis through pericyte recruitment. Our data revealed that AS reduced MI and protects cardiac function. AS-treated MI mice exhibited reduced ST-segment displacement and repolarization time, increased ejection fraction, and less BNP and NT-proBNP expression. Pathological studies showed that, AS reduced the area of infarcted myocardium and slowed down the progress of cardiac remodelling and fibrosis. In addition, AS increased the content of platelet-derived growth factor receptors β (PDGFR-β), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) and angiogenesis-related proteins including vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Moreover, these botanical drugs upregulated the expression of Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), phosphorylated angiopoietin-1 receptor (p-Tie-2), focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and growth factor receptor bound protein 7 (GRB7), indicating that the cardioprotection-related angiogenesis effect was related to pericyte recruitment, which may be through Ang-1/Tie-2/FAK pathway. In summary, AS can treat MI by protecting cardiac function, attenuating cardiac pathological changes, and hindering the progression of heart failure, which is related to angiogenesis after pericyte recruitment. Therefore, AS at a certain dose can be a promising treatment for MI with broad application prospects.

Natural Herbal Medicine as a Treatment Strategy for Myocardial Infarction through the Regulation of Angiogenesis

Methods

We conducted a literature search on the bioactive components of medicinal plants and their effects on angiogenesis after MI. We searched for articles in Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases before April 2021.

Results

In this article, we summarized the mechanisms by which copper ions, microRNA, Akt1, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondria, and pericytes are involved in angiogenesis after myocardial infarction. In addition, we reviewed the angiogenic effects of natural herbal medicines such as Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge Bunge, Carthamus tinctorius L., Pueraria lobata, Astragalus, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F.H. Chen, Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl, Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC., Leonurus japonicus Houtt, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi., and Geum macrophyllum Willd.

Conclusions

Some herbs have the effect of promoting angiogenesis. In the future, natural proangiogenic drugs may become candidates for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

A Novel Multiple Risk Score Model for Prediction of Long-Term Ischemic Risk in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the I-LOVE-IT 2 Trial

Backgrounds: A plug-and-play standardized algorithm to identify the ischemic risk in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) could play a valuable step to help a wide spectrum of clinic workers. This study intended to investigate the ability to use the accumulation of multiple clinical routine risk scores to predict long-term ischemic events in patients with CAD undergoing PCI.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the I-LOVE-IT 2 (Evaluate Safety and Effectiveness of the Tivoli drug-eluting stent (DES) and the Firebird DES for Treatment of Coronary Revascularization) trial, which was a prospective, multicenter, and randomized study. The Global Registry for Acute Coronary Events (GRACE), baseline Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX), residual SYNTAX, and age, creatinine, and ejection fraction (ACEF) score were calculated in all patients. Risk stratification was based on the number of these four scores that met the established thresholds for the ischemic risk. The primary end point was ischemic events at 48 months, defined as the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST).

Results: The 48-month ischemic events had a significant trend for higher event rates (from 6.61 to 16.93%) with an incremental number of risk scores presenting the higher ischemic risk from 0 to ≥3 (p trend < 0.001). In addition, the categories were associated with increased risk for all components of ischemic events, including cardiac death (from 1.36 to 3.15%), myocardial infarction (MI) (from 3.31 to 9.84%), stroke (3.31 to 6.10%), definite/probable ST (from 0.58 to 1.97%), and all-cause mortality (from 2.14 to 6.30%) (all p trend < 0.05). The net reclassification index after combined with four risk scores was 12.5% (5.3–20.0%), 9.4% (2.0–16.8%), 12.1% (4.5–19.7%), and 10.7% (3.3–18.1%), which offered statistically significant improvement in the performance, compared with SYNTAX, residual SYNTAX, ACEF, and GRACE score, respectively.

Conclusion: The novel multiple risk score model was significantly associated with the risk of long-term ischemic events in these patients with an increment of scores. A meaningful improvement to predict adverse outcomes when multiple risk scores were applied to risk stratification.

Contradictions between DAPT and PRECISE-DAPT scores with the severity of coronary lesion in acute coronary syndrome

This study aimed to identify the correlation of contradiction between DAPT score and PRECISE-DAPT score with the severity of coronary lesion in acute coronary syndromes (ACS).In total, 458 patients with ACS after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who had tolerated 1-year uneventful dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) were enrolled and divided into groups based on the Gensini score, number of stenosed vessels, and left main (LM) disease. Both DAPT score and PRECISE-DAPT score were calculated and the proportion of patients receiving conflicting recommendations from each score was compared among the groups.DAPT score as well as the proportion of patients with DAPT score ≥2 were associated with the Gensini score and the number of stenosed vessels. Similarly, PRECISE-DAPT score as well as the proportion of patients with PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 were associated with the Gensini score and the number of stenosed vessels. The proportion of patients with DAPT score ≥2 along with PRECISE-DAPT score ≥25 were associated with Gensini score, but they had no significant association with the number of stenosed vessels (P = .006 and P = .075, respectively). None of those aforementioned items were associated with LM disease.The inconsistencies of DAPT scores and PRECISE-DAPT scores are frequent and associated with the severity of coronary disease, represented by the Gensini score. Appropriate clinical decisions should be individualized.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration Based on Ischemic and Bleeding Risks After Coronary Stenting

BACKGROUND

Complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with higher ischemic risk, which can be mitigated by long-term dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). However, concomitant high bleeding risk (HBR) may be present, making it unclear whether short- or long-term DAPT should be prioritized.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the effects of ischemic (by PCI complexity) and bleeding (by PRECISE-DAPT [PREdicting bleeding Complications in patients undergoing stent Implantation and SubsequEnt Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy] score) risks on clinical outcomes and on the impact of DAPT duration after coronary stenting.

METHODS

Complex PCI was defined as ≥3 stents implanted and/or ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation stenting and/or stent length >60 mm, and/or chronic total occlusion revascularization. Ischemic and bleeding outcomes in high (≥25) or non-high (<25) PRECISE-DAPT strata were evaluated based on randomly allocated duration of DAPT.

RESULTS

Among 14,963 patients from 8 randomized trials, 3,118 underwent complex PCI and experienced a higher rate of ischemic, but not bleeding, events. Long-term DAPT in non-HBR patients reduced ischemic events in both complex (absolute risk difference: -3.86%; 95% confidence interval: -7.71 to +0.06) and noncomplex PCI strata (absolute risk difference: -1.14%; 95% confidence interval: -2.26 to -0.02), but not among HBR patients, regardless of complex PCI features. The bleeding risk according to the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction scale was increased by long-term DAPT only in HBR patients, regardless of PCI complexity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who underwent complex PCI had a higher risk of ischemic events, but benefitted from long-term DAPT only if HBR features were not present. These data suggested that when concordant, bleeding, more than ischemic risk, should inform decision-making on the duration of DAPT.

Clinical benefits of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy following complex percutaneous coronary intervention

AIMS

Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) requires consideration of both reduced thrombotic events and increased bleeding risk. The associated subtle balance between the benefits and harms depends upon patient's clinical factors and complexity of the coronary anatomy. Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of prolonged (>12 months) DAPT in patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A thorough computer-based search was performed using four major databases. Complex PCI was defined as a procedure with at least one of the following angiographic characteristics: 3 vessels treated, >3 stents implanted, >3 lesions treated, bifurcation lesions, total stent length >60 mm, left main or proximal left anterior descending, a vein graft stent, or chronic total occlusion as target lesion. Of the 3543 titles searched, 5 studies met the inclusion criteria comparing short and prolonged DAPT therapy. We applied a random-effects model to acknowledge the variation in study design, treatment duration, and length of follow-up among studies. There was a reduction in cardiac mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35-0.92; P = 0.02, I = 0%] and major adverse cardiovascular events (OR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.96; P = 0.02, I = 22%) with prolonged DAPT. Major bleeding was increased with prolonged DAPT (OR 1.75, 95% CI: 1.20-2.20; P = 0.004, I = 0%). There was no difference in the all-cause mortality (OR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.61-1.22; P = 0.41, I = 0%).

CONCLUSION

Prolonged DAPT reduces cardiac mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events in complex PCI. The results would need confirmation in a larger randomized study.

Prognostic impact of residual SYNTAX score in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and acute coronary syndrome: a prospective cohort study

Background

There is a paucity of data from large prospective study evaluating the prognostic significance of the residual Synergy between percutaneous intervention with Taxus drug-eluting stents and cardiac surgery (SYNTAX) Score (rSS) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).

Methods

ACS patients who undergoing percutaneous coronary angiography and completing a sleep study during hospitalization were prospectively enrolled. The baseline SYNTAX Score (bSS) and the rSS after revascularization were assessed. Complete revascularization (CR, rSS = 0) and incomplete revascularization (ICR, rSS > 0) were categorized. OSA (apnea hypopnea index, AHI ≥ 15) and non-OSA (AHI < 15) were grouped according to AHI. The primary endpoint of the study was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, ischemia-driven revascularization, or hospitalization for UAP or heart failure.

Results

Overall, 752 patients were prospectively enrolled. At a median follow-up of 1 year, the incidence of MACCEs was significantly higher in the OSA than in the non-OSA group (hazard ratio [HR]:1.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.04–2.72; P = .034). ICR was associated with a higher risk of MACCEs in the non-OSA group (HR:3.34;95% CI:1.0–11.12; P = .05). The OSA patients with ICR had a 5.1 higher risk of MACCEs compared with the non-OSA with CR group, P = .007. The OSA patients with CR had a similar 1-year MACCEs as all the non-OSA patients (HR:1.10; 95% CI:0.515–2.349; P = 0.806).

Conclusions

ACS patients with OSA and ICR have a high rate of MACCEs at 1 year. In contrast, the prognosis of ACS patients with OSA but CR is favorable and similar to patients without OSA. Adequate level of revascularization is recommended to optimize clinical outcomes in ACS patients with OSA.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03362385.

Correlations of DAPT score and PRECISE-DAPT score with the extent of coronary stenosis in acute coronary syndrome

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) score and PRECISE-DAPT score were recommended for decision making of optimal DAPT in discriminating the risk of thrombosis and bleeding. But the relationships between 2 scoring tools with the extent of coronary stenosis have not been established.We retrospectively enrolled 359 patients of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who received percutaneous coronary intervention. Both DAPT score and PRECISE-DAPT score were calculated, and patients were divided by their recommended cut-offs. Gensini score and triple-vessel disease (3-VD) were chosen to evaluate the severity of coronary stenosis.Overall, 54.9% and 10.0% of the patients had higher DAPT score (≥2) or PRECISE-DAPT score (≥25). Patients with higher DAPT score had increased stent counts, total length of stents, Gensini score, and proportion of 3-VD, but decreased minimum diameter of stent. But these differences were not found in PRECISE-DAPT subgroups. When divided into quartiles of both scoring systems, the highest Gensini score and proportions of 3-VD were found in the fourth quartile of both DAPT score and PRECISE-DAPT score. Moreover, both DAPT score and PRECISE-DAPT score were independent risk factors of Gensini score after adjustment (P < .001 and P = .047). Furthermore, an increase of 1 point of DAPT score and 5 points of PRECISE-DAPT score resulted by 51% (odds ratios [OR]: 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.19-1.91, P = .001) and 34% (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.11-1.62, P = .003) increase in risk of 3-VD after adjustment.Both DAPT score and PRECISE-DAPT score were independently associated with the degree of coronary stenosis in patients with ACS.

Byrne R, Kastrati A, Schulz-Schüpke S. Validation of the DAPT score in patients randomized to 6 or 12 months clopidogrel after predominantly second-generation drug-eluting stents

The DAPT score is a recently-proposed decision tool for guiding optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). It showed modest accuracy in prior derivation and validation cohorts of patients with ≥12 months DAPT. This study was aimed to evaluate the validity of the DAPT score in a cohort of patients with 6 or 12 months DAPT after implantation of predominantly second-generation drug-eluting stents. We analyzed data of patients enrolled in the ISAR-SAFE trial. Patients were classified into low (<2) or high (≥2) DAPT score groups. Primary ischaemic (all-cause death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis or stroke) and bleeding (TIMI major or minor) outcomes were analyzed in the low and high DAPT score groups. Data of 3976 patients were available for DAPT score calculation. 2407 patients (60.5%) were classified in the low DAPT score group and 1569 patients (39.5%) in the high DAPT score group. In the low DAPT score group there were no significant differences between 6 and 12 months DAPT regarding ischaemic (1.0% vs. 1.4%, HR=0.74, 95% CI, 0.35–1.57; p=0.43) or bleeding outcomes (0.3% vs. 0.8%, HR=0.44, 95% CI, 0.13–1.42; p=0.17). In the high DAPT score group there were also no significant differences between 6 and 12 months DAPT regarding ischaemic (1.9% vs. 1.8%, HR=1.02, 95% CI, 0.49–2.14; p=0.96) or bleeding (0.3% vs. 0.5%, HR=0.51, 95% CI, 0.09–2.78; p=0.44) outcomes. In conclusion, the DAPT score failed to show a differential treatment effect in patients receiving 6 or 12 months DAPT after contemporary drug-eluting stent implantation.

Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients with an Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

The recent American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines on duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) recommend DAPT for 1 year in patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome, with a Class IIb recommendation for continuation. We aim to assess the evidence for these recommendations using a meta-analytic approach.

METHODS

We searched electronic databases for randomized trials comparing short-term (≤6 months) vs 12-month vs extended (>12 months) DAPT in patients with an acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. We evaluated all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and major bleeding. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

We included 8 trials comprising 12,917 patients with an acute coronary syndrome; 5 trials compared short-term vs 12-month/extended DAPT, whereas 3 trials compared 12-month vs extended DAPT. There was no significant difference in cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.04; 95% CI, 0.67-1.60), myocardial infarction (RR 1.08; 95% CI, 0.79-1.47), or major bleeding (RR 0.91; 95% CI, 0.49-1.69) between short-term and 12-month/extended DAPT. However, compared with extended DAPT, 12-month DAPT showed significantly higher risk of myocardial infarction (RR 2.00; 95% CI, 1.47-2.73), but reduced risk of major bleeding (RR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.34-0.98). All-cause mortality was found to be similar between 12-month and extended DAPT.

CONCLUSIONS

In acute coronary syndrome, short-term DAPT may be reasonable for some patients, whereas extended DAPT may be appropriate in select others. An individualized approach is needed, taking into account the competing risks of bleeding and ischemic events.

Individualizing dual antiplatelet therapy duration after percutaneous coronary intervention: from randomized control trials to personalized medicine

INTRODUCTION

Improved stent technologies have lead to reduced minimum durations of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to prevent stent thrombosis. However, the anti-ischemic benefits seen in extended DAPT in both stent and non-stent related lesions have called into question the optimum duration of DAPT after stent placement. Areas covered: We review the evidence for varying durations of DAPT after drug eluting stent placement including for patients on oral anticoagulation; decision tools available for clinicians to optimize patient selection for extended therapy and insight into application of these risk assessment tools in clinical practice. Expert commentary: The use of risk assessment tools in optimizing DAPT duration after stent placement provides an opportunity for improved outcomes by means of a personalized approach to care while allowing clinicians to engage with patients in shared-decision making.