In-hospital prognostic value of hemoglobin levels on admission in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary angioplasty

Impact of anemia on outcomes and resource utilization in patients with myocardial infarction: A national database analysis

BACKGROUND

Although anemia is common in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), management remains controversial. We quantified the association of anemia with in-hospital outcomes and resource utilization in patients admitted with MI using a large national database.

METHODS

All hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis code for acute MI in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) between 2014 and 2018 were identified. Among these hospitalizations, patients with anemia were identified using a secondary diagnosis code. Data on demographic and clinical variables were collected. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital adverse events, length of stay (LOS), and total cost. Multivariable logistic regression and generalized linear models were used to evaluate the relationship between anemia and outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 1,113,181 MI hospitalizations, 254,816 (22.8%) included concomitant anemia. Anemic patients were older and more likely to be women. After adjustment for demographics and comorbidities, anemia was associated with higher mortality (7.1 vs. 4.3%; odds ratio 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.12, p < 0.001). Anemia was also associated with a mean of 2.71 days longer LOS (average marginal effects [AME] 2.71; 95% CI 2.68-2.73, p < 0.05), and $ 9703 mean higher total costs (AME $9703, 95% CI $9577-$9829, p < 0.05). Anemic patients who received blood transfusions had higher mortality as compared with those who did not (8.2% vs. 7.0, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In MI patients, anemia was associated with higher in-hospital mortality, adverse events, total cost, and length of stay. Transfusion was associated with increased mortality, and its role in MI requires further research.

Asymptomatic Females Are at Higher Risk for Perioperative TIA/Stroke and Males Are at Higher Risk for Long-Term Mortality after Carotid Artery Stenting: A Vascular Quality Initiative Analysis

The study aims to review the sex differences with respect to transient ischemic attack (TIA)/stroke and death in the perioperative period and on long-term follow-up among asymptomatic patients treated with carotid stenting (CAS) in the vascular quality initiative (VQI). All cases reported to VQI of asymptomatic CAS (ACAS) patients were reviewed. The primary end point was risk of TIA/stroke and death in the in-hospital perioperative period and in the long-term follow-up. The secondary end point was to evaluate predictors of in-hospital perioperative TIA/stroke and mortality on long-term follow-up after CAS. There were 22,079 CAS procedures captured from January 2005 to April 2019. There were 5,785 (62.7%) patients in the ACAS group. The rate of in-hospital TIA/stroke was higher in female patients (2.7 vs. 1.87%, p  = 0.005) and the rate of death was not significant (0.03 vs. 0.07%, p  = 0.66). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, prior/current smoking history (odds ratio = 0.58 [95% confidence interval or CI = 0.39-0.87]; p  = 0.008) is a predictor of in-hospital TIA/stroke in females. The long-term all-cause mortality is significantly higher in male patients (26.9 vs. 15.7%, p  < 0.001). On multivariable Cox-regression analysis, prior/current smoking history (hazard ratio or HR = 1.17 [95% CI = 1.01-1.34]; p  = 0.03), coronary artery disease or CAD (HR = 1.15 [95% CI = 1.03-1.28]; p  = 0.009), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (HR = 1.73 [95% CI = 1.55-1.93]; p  < 0.001), threat to life American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class (HR = 2.3 [95% CI = 1.43-3.70]; p  = 0.0006), moribund ASA class (HR = 5.66 [95% CI = 2.24-14.29]; p  = 0.0003), and low hemoglobin levels (HR = 0.84 [95% CI = 0.82-0.86]; p  < 0.001) are the predictors of long-term mortality. In asymptomatic carotid disease patients, women had higher rates of in-hospital perioperative TIA/stroke and a predictor of TIA/stroke is a prior/current history of smoking. Meanwhile, long-term all-cause mortality is higher for male patients compared with their female counterparts. Predictors of long-term mortality are prior/current smoking history, CAD, COPD, higher ASA classification of physical status, and low hemoglobin level. These data should be considered prior to offering CAS to asymptomatic female and male patients and careful risks versus benefits discussion should be offered to each individual patient.

Prognostic implication of hemoglobin reduction with and without clinical bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND

Bleeding events are associated with higher mortality rates in patients with cardiovascular diseases, including patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing coronary revascularization. We aimed to determine whether a reduction in hemoglobin (Hgb) from pre- to postpercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with or without evidence of clinical bleeding, is a correlate of in-hospital mortality for patients presenting with ACS who underwent primary PCI.

METHODS

We divided 33816 consecutive patients with ACS who underwent PCI into three categories: (1) target group (defined as Hgb reduction without overt bleeding [n = 112]); (2) Hgb reduction with overt bleeding (n = 48); and (3) control group (defined as no Hgb reduction and no overt bleeding [n = 3156]). Hgb reduction was defined as a drop of >3 g/dL in Hgb value from preprocedure and postprocedure during the index hospitalization. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We used logistic regression to examine the relationship between Hgb reduction with and without bleeding and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

In crude analysis, the Hgb reduction with overt bleed group had a higher in-hospital mortality rate (16.7%) than the target (9.8%) and control groups (0.6%). Adjusted logistic regression estimates a 0.393 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.137, 1.869) odds ratio for in-hospital death of the target group over the Hgb reduction with bleed group, and a 54.517 (95% CI: 2.07, >1000) odds ratio of the target group over the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients presenting with ACS undergoing PCI, Hgb reduction with and without overt bleeding were both independently associated with in-hospital mortality.

Association between serum hemoglobin and major cardiovascular adverse event in Chinese patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a common clinical acute and severe disease, and it is of great significance to evaluate the prognosis of these patients. Hemoglobin levels are associated with a variety of diseases, but studies on Chinese patients with STEMI after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have not been sufficient.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis based on a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing PCI in Taizhou, Zhejiang, China. We performed multivariable logistic regression to explore the association between the serum hemoglobin and the incidence of major cardiovascular adverse event (MACE) in patients after PCI. We also used a generalized additive model and smooth curve fitting to explain the nonlinear relationship after adjusting the potential confounders. Finally, the heterogeneity among specific groups was examined by subgroup analysis.

Results

Of all 462 patients enrolled in this study, 118 (25.54%) developed MACE. There was a negative correlation between serum hemoglobin and MACE in all three models (hazard ratio [HR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI 0.72, 0.93], HR 0.86, 95% CI [0.76,0.98], and HR 0.87, 95% CI [0.74,0.98], respectively). In the subgroup analysis, the negative correlation existed between the patients who had myocardial infarction (MI) history (p for interaction = 0.0059) after adjusting covariates. However, no significant differences were found between age and sex groups (p for interaction = 0.1381, 0.4103, respectively).

Conclusion

Our results indicated that patients who received PCI with low preoperative hemoglobin were more likely to develop MACE, especially if they have already had a history of MI.

Post percutaneous coronary intervention hemoglobin levels predict in-hospital mortality in patients with STEMI treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to determine whether admission hemoglobin versus post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hemoglobin level at 24 hours is a predictor of in-hospital mortality for patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) without evidence of clinical hemorrhage who underwent primary PCI.

METHODS

In this study, we included 1,444 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI at a tertiary heart hospital. The primary outcome of the study was the in-hospital all-cause mortality. We used the penalized maximum likelihood estimation (PMLE) logistic regression method to examine the relationship between primary outcome and candidate predictors.

RESULTS

In total, 172 (11.9%) patients died during the in-hospital course. According to a PMLE logistic regression analysis, age, KILLIP class ≥2, pre-PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow <3, systolic blood pressure, creatinine, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use, and post-PCI hemoglobin levels at 24 hours were predictors of in-hospital mortality. The relative importance of post-PCI hemoglobin at 24 hours (contributing 6% of the explainable outcome in the model) was significantly higher than admission hemoglobin (contributing only 0.1% of the explainable outcome in the model).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that post-PCI hemoglobin levels were independently associated with in-hospital survival in patients with STEMI without evidence of bleeding following primary PCI. In addition, post-PCI hemoglobin was a better predictor of in-hospital mortality than admission hemoglobin for patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI.

Bivalirudin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and independent predictors of postoperative adverse events in these patients: A real world retrospective study

The efficacy and safety of bivalirudin in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has always been a hot topic in perioperative antithrombotic therapy, but there are still some controversies. So studies are needed to provide more evidence, especially the real world study which includes patients excluded from previous RCT studys. Our study aimed to investigate these information and analyze the independent predictors of postoperative adverse events.A retrospective study enrolled 1416 patients underwent PCI in Tianjin Chest Hospital from May 2016 to October 2017. The incidence of stent-thrombosis and net clinical adverse events, including all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, urgent target-vessel revascularization and bleeding, were followed up for 30 days and 1 year. Logistic regression and COX regression were respectively used to analyze independent predictors of bleeding events within 30-days, and independent predictors of Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with stent implantation within 1-year.Seven hundred six patients were treated with bivalirudin while 710 with unfractionated heparin (UFH). The proportions of diabetes, hypertension, anemia, myocardial-infarction history, PCI history, moderate-to-severe renal-impairment, gastrointestinal-bleeding history in the bivalirudin group were significantly higher (P < .05). Women, anemia were independent risk factors for bleeding within 30-days (P < .05). Among 682 patients with stent implantation in bivalirudin group, anemia, Body Mass Index (BMI) >25 kg/m2, KILLIP ≥2, ejection fraction (EF) <45%, eGFR <60 ml/minutes were independent risk factors for MACCE, while Statins, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) were independent protective factors for MACCE with-in 1-year (P < .05).Bivalirudin have good anticoagulant effect and lower bleeding risk during PCI, especially in patients with higher bleeding risk. In patients treated with bivalirudin, female, anemia were independent predictors of bleeding within 30-days, BMI >25 kg/m2, anemia, KILLIP ≥2, EF <45%, eGFR <60 ml/minutes were independent risk factors and Statins, PPI were independent protective factors of MACCE within 1-year.

Relation of hemoglobin level to no-reflow in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary intervention

Introduction

The primary goal in the management of acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is to open the occluded artery at an early stage. The development of no-reflow is multifactorial, and the etiology is not fully understood. There is accumulating evidence that anemia is related to a series of severe complications in cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as thromboembolic events, bleeding complications, uncontrolled hypertension, and inflammation characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Aim

We investigated the relationship between hemoglobin level and the no-reflow of infarct-related artery (IRA) in patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Material and methods

A total of 3804 patients with acute STEMI who underwent PPCI were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades after PPCI. Hematological parameters were measured on admission. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between hemoglobin level and no-reflow.

Results

In the current study, 471 (12.4%) patients presented with no-reflow after PPCI. The patients in the no-reflow group had a significantly lower hemoglobin level (12.1 ±1.9 g/dl vs. 13.8 ±1.8 g/dl, p < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression models revealed that hemoglobin level (OR = 0.564, 95% CI: 0.526–0.605; p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of development of no-reflow. The cutoff value for hemoglobin level was 11.5 g/dl with sensitivity of 83.0% and specificity of 80.0% (AUC = 0.844, 95% CI: 0.821–0.867; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that hemoglobin level showed a moderate diagnostic performance regarding the prediction of no-reflow in patients with STEMI undergoing PPCI.

Meta-Analysis of the Prognostic Impact of Anemia in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Anemia is common in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and current guidelines fail to offer recommendations for its management. This review aims to examine the relation between baseline anemia and mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and major bleeding in patients undergoing PCI. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies that evaluated mortality and adverse outcomes in anemic and nonanemic patients who underwent PCI. Data were collected on study design, participant characteristics, definition of anemia, follow-up, and adverse outcomes. Random effects meta-analysis of risk ratios was performed using inverse variance method. A total of 44 studies were included in the review with 230,795 participants. The prevalence of baseline anemia was 26,514 of 170,914 (16%). There was an elevated risk of mortality and MACE with anemia compared with no anemia-pooled risk ratio (RR) 2.39 (2.02 to 2.83), p <0.001 and RR 1.51 (1.34 to 1.71), p <0.001, respectively. The risk of myocardial infarction and bleeding with anemia compared with no anemia was elevated, pooled RR 1.33 (1.07 to 1.65), p = 0.01 and RR 1.97 (1.03 to 3.77), p <0.001, respectively. The risk of mortality per unit incremental decrease in hemoglobin (g/dl) was RR 1.19 (1.09 to 1.30), p <0.001 and the risk of mortality, MACE, and reinfarction per 1 unit incremental decrease in hematocrit (%) was RR 1.07 (1.05 to 1.10), p = 0.04, RR 1.09 (1.08 to 1.10) and RR 1.06 (1.03 to 1.10), respectively. The prevalence of anemia in contemporary cohorts of patients undergoing PCI is significant and is associated with significant increases in postprocedural mortality, MACE, reinfarction, and bleeding. The optimal strategy for the management of anemia in such patients remains uncertain.

Impact of anemia on long-term ischemic events and bleeding events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a system review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Data focused on the ischemic events and bleeding events are still limited. We systematically reviewed the current available literature to investigate whether anemia increase incidence of long-term ischemic events and long-term bleeding events in patients undergoing PCI.

METHODS

PubMed and Embase were searched for case-control studies regarding the impact of anemia on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The primary outcome was long-term ischemic events and long-term bleeding events. Mantel-Haenszel method with random effects model or fixed effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Seventeen studies involving 68,528 patients (17,123 anemic patients and 51,405 non-anemic patients) were included. Pooled analysis suggested that anemic patients were at higher risk for long-term composite ischemic events (OR: 1.95, 95% CI, 1.21-3.14, P<0.01, I(2)=84%), long-term reinfarction (0R: 1.63, 95% CI, 1.16-2.28, P<0.01, I(2)=82%) and long-term bleeding events (OR: 2.89, 95% CI, 1.68-4.98, P<0.001, I(2)=89%). Anemia was also associated with long-term mortality (OR: 3.20, 95% CI, 2.72-3.75, P<0.01, I(2)=65%) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (OR: 2.06, 95% CI, 1.48-2.86, P<0.01, I(2)=91%).

CONCLUSIONS

Anemic patients undergoing PCI are at higher risk for both long-term ischemic events and bleeding events, and also at higher risk for long-term mortality and MACE. There's a need for further clarification and consistency regarding dosage, timing and duration of antithrombotic therapy for the prevention of ischemic events and bleeding events in anemic patients.

Anemia and Inflammation in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

To investigate the factors predicting the onset of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

METHODS

Two hundred forty-eight STEMI patients (61.4 ± 10.8 years, 186 men) who underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled. Patients were followed-up for 1 year. Univariate, multivariate analyses, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to determine the factors predicting MACEs.

RESULTS

There were 36 patients (14.5%) who experienced MACEs in the follow-up period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that hemoglobin (HgB) (odds ratio = 0.972; 95% CI, 0.948-0.998; P = 0.033), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (odds ratio = 1.511; 95% CI, 1.148-1.987; P = 0.003), Global Registry of Acute Coronary Event score, and postprocedure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were independent predictors of MACEs. Further subgroup analysis showed higher NLR (> 8.61), Global Registry of Acute Coronary Event score (> 167) and lower HgB (< 131 g/L) all show superior predictive value for patients with relatively higher LVEF (> 48%); moreover, the c-statistic of NLR and HgB both exceed 0.7. However, among patients with lower LVEF (≤ 48%), higher NLR and lower HgB lost the ability for predicting 1 year MACEs independently. In addition, abnormally higher NLR (> 8) could predict 1-month MACEs efficiently.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, among STEMI patients, elevated NLR, decreased HgB level on admission both predicted 1-year MACEs independently, especially for those with relatively preserved LVEF (> 48%). Besides, abnormally higher NLR on admission should attract their attention for short-term MACEs.

Impact of anaemia on clinical outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the AFCAS registry

OBJECTIVES

Anaemia has an adverse impact on the outcome in the general patient population undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of anaemia on the 12-month clinical outcome of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing PCI and therefore requiring intense antithrombotic treatment. We hypothesised that anaemia might be associated with a worse outcome and more bleeding in these anticoagulated patients.

SETTING

Data were collected from 17 secondary care centres in Europe.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive patients with AF undergoing PCI were enrolled in the prospective, multicenter AFCAS (Atrial Fibrillation undergoing Coronary Artery Stenting) registry. Altogether, 929 patients participated in the study. Preprocedural haemoglobin concentration was available for 861 (92.7%; 30% women). The only exclusion criteria were inability or unwillingness to give informed consent. Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin concentration of <12 g/dL for women and <13 g/dL for men.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary endpoint was occurrence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) or bleeding events.

RESULTS

258/861 (30%) patients had anaemia. Anaemic patients were older, more often had diabetes, higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores, prior history of heart failure, chronic renal impairment and acute coronary syndrome. Anaemic patients had more MACCE than non-anaemic (29.1% vs 19.4%, respectively, p=0.002), and minor bleeding events (7.0% vs 3.3%, respectively, p=0.028), with a trend towards more total bleeding events (25.2% vs 21.7%, respectively, p=0.059). No difference was observed in antithrombotic regimens at discharge. In multivariate analysis, anaemia was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality at 12-month follow-up (hazard ratio 1.62, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.51, p=0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Anaemia was a frequent finding in patients with AF referred for PCI. Anaemic patients had a higher all-cause mortality, more thrombotic events and minor bleeding events. Anaemia seems to be an identification of patients at risk for cardiovascular events and death.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00596570.

White blood cell, hemoglobin and platelet distribution width as short-term prognostic markers in patients with acute myocardial infarction

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of combined use of white blood cell (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet distribution width (PDW) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study included 1,332 consecutive patients with AMI. Patients were categorized into complete blood cell (CBC) group 0 (n=346, 26.0%), 1 (n=622, 46.7%), 2 (n=324, 24.3%), and 3 (n=40, 3.0%) according to the sum of the value defined by the cut-off levels of WBC (1, ≥ 14.5 × 10(3)/µL; 0, <14.5 × 10(3)/µL), Hb (1, <12.7 g/dL; 0, ≥ 12.7 g/dL), and PDW (1, ≥ 51.2%; 0: <51.2%). In-hospital death occurred in 59 (4.4%) patients. Patients who died during index hospitalization had higher WBC and PDW and lower Hb. The patients could be stratified for in-hospital mortality according to CBC group; 1.2%, 2.7%, 9.0%, and 22.5% in CBC groups 0, 1, 2, and 3 (P<0.001), respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, CBC group ≥ 2 (odds ratio, 3.604; 95% confidence interval, 1.040-14.484, P=0.043) was an independent predictor for in-hospital death. The prognostic impact of the combined use of CBC markers remained significant over 12 months. In conclusions, combination of WBC, Hb, and PDW, a cheap and simple hematologic marker, is useful in early risk stratification of patients with AMI.

Anemia is associated with an increased central venous pressure and mortality in a broad spectrum of cardiovascular patients

BACKGROUND

Anemia is frequently observed in patients with cardiovascular disease. Multiple factors have been associated with anemia, but the role of hemodynamics is largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the association between hemoglobin (Hb) levels, hemodynamics and outcome in a broad spectrum of cardiovascular patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 2,009 patients who underwent right heart catheterization at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands, between 1989 and 2006 were identified and data were extracted from electronic databases. Anemia was defined by the WHO criteria (male, hemoglobin <13.0 g/dL; female, hemoglobin <12.0 g/dL). The associations between central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), hemoglobin (Hb), anemia and all-cause mortality were assessed with linear, logistic and Cox-proportional hazards analysis. The mean age was 57 ± 15 years, 57 % were male, mean Hb was 13.2 ± 0.4 g/dL, and 27.4 % of the patients were anemic. Patients with anemia had higher CVP levels (7.0 ± 5.4 mmHg) compared to non-anemic patients (5.6 ± 4.1 mmHg; p < 0.001). CI was higher in anemic patients; 3.0 ± 2.9 vs. 2.9 ± 0.8 L/min/m(2) (p < 0.001), whereas SVR was lower (1,212 ± 479 vs. 1,356 ± 555 dyn s cm(-5), p < 0.001). CVP and CI were both independent predictors of anemia (OR 1.49; CI 1.24-1.81, p < 0.001 and OR 1.93; CI 1.54-2.42, p < 0.001, respectively). Hemoglobin and CVP were both independent predictors of survival. Independent of CI and renal function, patients with anemia and an elevated CVP had the worst prognosis (HR 2.17; 95 % CI 1.62-2.90; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Anemia is common in cardiovascular patients and independently related to an elevated CVP and CI. Patients with anemia and an elevated CVP have the worst prognosis.

Haemoglobin management in acute brain injury

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Anaemia is common among patients in the neurocritical care unit (NCCU) and is thought to exacerbate brain injury. However, the optimal haemoglobin (Hgb) level still remains to be elucidated for traumatic brain injury (TBI), subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). This review outlines recent studies about anaemia and the effects of red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) on outcome in TBI, SAH and AIS patients admitted to the NCCU.

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients with severe SAH, AIS and TBI often develop anaemia and require RBCT. In general critical care, a restrictive RBCT strategy (Hgb ~7 g/dl) is preferable in patients without serious cardiac disease. In severe TBI, AIS and SAH, both anaemia and RBCT may negatively influence clinical outcome. However, the appropriate RBCT trigger remains unclear and there is great variance in how these patients are transfused. There is evidence from PET and microdialysis studies in humans that RBCT can favourably influence brain metabolism and oxygenation. This correction of hypoxia or altered metabolism rather than anaemia may be of greater importance.

SUMMARY

Results from general critical care should not be extrapolated to all patients with acute brain injury. Transfusion is not risk free, but RBCT use needs to be considered also in terms of potential benefit.

Short-term outcome of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with an everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate safety and efficacy of the everolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffold (BVS) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

BACKGROUND

According to the current guidelines, drug-eluting stents are the treatment of choice in patients with STEMI. BVS represents a new technology capable to restore the native vessel vasomotion and potentially avoiding long-term limitations such as stent thrombosis.

METHODS

From October 2012 to May 2013, patients with evidence of STEMI eligible for BVS implantation were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were not defined.

RESULTS

A total of 25 patients, respectively 31 lesions, were treated. Procedural success was achieved in 97%. Two major adverse cardiac events occurred during hospitalization and follow-up: one patient with cardiogenic shock at the index procedure subsequently died. One patient suffered from instable angina with need for interventional revascularization of a previously untreated vessel. One target vessel failure as a consequence of an intra-procedural dissection was seen. However, no target lesion failure was noted. During 132.7 ± 68.7 days of follow-up none of the patients died.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that implantation of BVS in STEMI patients is feasible in this small cohort of highly selected patients. Further evaluation in randomized-controlled trials is needed.

Lower admission hemoglobin levels are associated with longer symptom duration in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

An acute-phase response in patients with acute myocardial infarction could contribute to the development of anemia.

HYPOTHESIS

An association may exist between symptom duration, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) values in patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on consecutive male STEMI patients who were admitted to our medical center's ED from January 2008 to November 2012 and had presented within the first 12 hours after the onset of chest pain. Hemoglobin concentration and serum CRP levels were determined from blood samples taken prior to any drug or fluid administration. Analyses of variance were used to determine interactions between selected time-to-presentation cutoffs and admission Hb and CRP concentrations. Patients with other reasons known to cause elevation of inflammatory markers, anemia, or bleeding diathesis were excluded.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 718 patients whose mean age was 61 ± 12 years (range, 27-96 years). Blood was drawn for Hb and CRP measurements directly upon admission. Patients who presented to the ED within 3 hours of symptom onset had higher Hb concentrations (P = 0.048) and lower serum CRP levels (P < 0.001) compared with those who presented after a longer interval from symptom onset.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer symptom duration is associated with a lower admission Hb level and an early rise in the CRP level of male patients with acute STEMI.

The prognostic significance of SYNTAX score after early percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

SYNergy between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score, which is based on the characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions and the complexity of coronary artery anatomy, is useful for choosing an intervention strategy, but its prognostic significance for acute ST elevation of myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unknown. This study aimed to redress this issue.

METHODS

Our observational study included 151 consecutive patients admitted for acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009. The primary endpoint for analysis was 30-day cardiac death.

RESULTS

Among the 151 patients, cardiac death occurred in 10 (7%) within 30 days. After the first month, five patients died of non-cardiac causes, but no cardiac death occurred. Multivariate analysis showed that SYNTAX score (odds ratio [OR], 13.79, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-153.38; p=0.033) and a symptom onset-to-therapy time interval >4 h (OR, 11.13; 95% CI, 1.08-114.42; p=0.043) were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. The SYNTAX score cut-off for discriminating low and high risk was 22.

CONCLUSIONS

SYNTAX score is an independent predictor of short-term cardiac mortality in patients with acute STEMI.