The association of sex with outcomes among patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction in the contemporary era: Insights from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium (BMC2)

Impact of primary percutaneous coronary intervention on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients: A comprehensive analysis

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction, particularly ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), is a key global mortality cause. Our study investigated predictors of mortality in 96 STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention at Erbil Cardiac Center. Multiple factors were identified influencing in-hospital mortality. Significantly, time from symptom onset to hospital arrival emerged as a decisive factor. Consequently, our study hypothesis is: "Reducing time from symptom onset to hospital arrival significantly improves STEMI prognosis."

AIM

To determine the key factors influencing mortality rates in STEMI patients.

METHODS

We studied 96 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) at the Erbil Cardiac Center. Their clinical histories were compiled, and coronary evaluations were performed via angiography on admission. Data included comorbid conditions, onset of cardiogenic shock, complications during PPCI, and more. Post-discharge, one-month follow-up assessments were completed. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Our results unearthed several significant findings. The in-hospital and 30-d mortality rates among the 96 STEMI patients were 11.2% and 2.3% respectively. On the investigation of independent predictors of in-hospital mortality, we identified atypical presentation, onset of cardiogenic shock, presence of chronic kidney disease, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grades 0/1/2, triple vessel disease, ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation, coronary dissection, and the no-reflow phenomenon. Specifically, the recorded average time from symptom onset to hospital arrival amongst patients who did not survive was significantly longer (6.92 ± 3.86 h) compared to those who survived (3.61 ± 1.67 h), P < 0.001. These findings underscore the critical role of timely intervention in improving the survival outcomes of STEMI patients.

CONCLUSION

Our results affirm that early hospital arrival after symptom onset significantly improves survival rates in STEMI patients, highlighting the critical need for prompt intervention.

Gender-Related Factors in Medication Adherence for Metabolic and Cardiovascular Health

This review explores the impact of gender on medication adherence in the context of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Optimal adherence to medication is crucial for achieving treatment goals and preventing adverse outcomes in chronic diseases. The review examines specific conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and heart failure. In type 2 diabetes, female sex, younger age, new drug prescription, non-white ethnicity, low education level, and low income were identified as predictors of non-adherence. Depressive disorders were also found to influence adherence. In hypercholesterolemia, women exhibited poorer adherence to statin therapy compared to men, with statin-related side effects and patient perception being significant factors. Adherence to anti-hypertensive therapy showed conflicting results, with studies reporting both higher and lower adherence in women. Limited evidence suggests that women may have poorer adherence after acute myocardial infarction and stroke. Regarding heart failure, adherence studies have shown inconsistent findings. The reasons for gender differences in medication adherence are multifactorial and include sociodemographic, disease-related, treatment-related, and psychological factors. This review emphasizes the need for further research to better understand these differences and develop gender-customized interventions that can improve medication adherence and reduce the burden of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Sex-specific inequalities in the use of drug-coated balloons for small coronary artery disease: a report from the BASKET-SMALL 2 trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recent data have established non-inferiority of drug-coated balloons (DCB) compared to drug-eluting stents (DES) for treatment of small-vessel coronary artery disease. Since coronary vessels in women might have anatomical and pathophysiological particularities, the safety of the DCB strategy among women compared to men needs to be assessed in more detail.

METHODS

In BASKET-SMALL 2, patients with de novo lesions in coronary vessels < 3 mm and an indication for percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly allocated (1:1) to DCB vs. DES after successful lesion preparation. The primary objective of the randomized trial was to establish non-inferiority of DCB vs. DES regarding major adverse cardiac events (MACE; i.e., cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) after 12 months. The aim of the current sub-analysis is to evaluate whether the DCB strategy is equally safe among women and men after 12 and 36 months.

RESULTS

Among 758 randomized patients, 382 were assigned to DCB (23% women) and 376 to DES (30% women). In general, women were older, had more often diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency, and presented more often with an acute coronary syndrome, whereas men were more often smokers, had multivessel disease and a previous history of acute myocardial infarction, and received a treatment with a statin. After 3 years, the primary clinical end point was not significantly different between groups (13% women vs. 16% men, HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.52-1.30; p = 0.40). There was no interaction between sex and coronary intervention strategy regarding MACE at 36 months (10% women vs. 16% men in DCB, 16% women vs. 15% men in DES; p_interaction = 0.31).

CONCLUSION

In small native coronary artery disease, there was no statistically significant effect of sex on the difference between DCB and DES regarding MACE up to 36 months.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov . Unique identifier: NCT01574534. CAD coronary artery disease, MACE major adverse cardiovascular events, HR Hazard ratio, DCB drug-coated balloon, DES drug-eluting stent.

Statin Eligibility according to 2013 ACC/AHA and USPSTF Guidelines among Jordanian Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Impact of Gender

The objectives of this study were to evaluate statin eligibility among Middle Eastern patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who had no prior use of statin therapy, according to 2013 ACC/AHA and 2016 USPSTF guidelines, and to compare statin eligibility between men and women. This was a retrospective multicenter observational study of all adult patients admitted to five tertiary care centers in Jordan with a first-time AMI, no prior cardiovascular disease, and no prior statin use between April 2018 and June 2019. Ten-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score was estimated based on ACC/AHA risk score. A total of 774 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 55 years (SD ± 11.3), 120 (15.5%) were women, and 688 (88.9%) had at least one risk factor of cardiovascular disease. Compared to men, women were more likely to be older; had a history of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia; and had higher body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins. Compared to women, men were more likely to have a higher 10-year ASCVD risk score (14.0% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.005), and more men had a 10-year ASCVD risk score of ≥7.5% and ≥10%. The proportion of patients eligible for statin therapy was 80.2% based on the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines and 59.5% based on the USPSTF guidelines. A higher proportion of men were eligible for statin therapy compared to women, based on both the 2013 ACC/AHA (81.4% vs. 73.5%, p = 0.050) and USPSTF guidelines (62.0% vs. 45.2%, p = 0.001). Among Middle Easterners, over half of patients with AMI would have been eligible for statin therapy prior to admission based on the 2013 ACC/AHA and USPSTF guidelines, with the presence of gender gap. Adopting these guidelines in clinical practice might positively impact primary cardiovascular preventive strategies in this region.

Sex disparities in guideline-recommended therapies and outcomes after ST-elevation myocardial infarction in a contemporary nationwide cohort of patients over an eight-year period

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Outcome has improved during the last decades due to secondary prevention and widespread coronary interventions, but recent studies still show sex differences and insufficient drug adherence. We aimed to determine differences in the treatment strategies and outcomes between women and men with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in Germany.

METHODS

From the Federal Association of the Local Health Insurance Funds (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse), 175,187 patients were identified who were hospitalized due to STEMI in Germany between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2017.

RESULTS

Compared to men, women were older (median 76 vs. 64 years) and had more often diabetes, hypertension, chronic heart failure, and chronic kidney disease (all p <0.001). Women suffered from higher rates of in-hospital complications such as bleeding (9.3 vs. 6.6%), longer hospitalizations (12.2 vs. 11.7 days) and were less likely to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (75.5 vs. 85.2%). After adjustment for patient's risk profile, female sex was associated with decreased overall survival (HR 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.04; p=0.036). Notably, more men received all four guideline-recommended drugs after STEMI (women 65.7% vs. men 69.8% after 90 days; p <0.001). With increasing number of prescribed drugs, patients benefit even more. This concerned both sexes, but was more pronounced in men (with 4 prescribed drugs: women HR 0.52, 95%CI 0.50-0.55; men HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.47-0.50, pint = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

In a contemporary nationwide analysis, women with STEMI were older, had more comorbidities, underwent revascularization less often and had an increased risk for major complications as well as overall survival. Guideline-recommended drug therapy was applied less frequently in women although associated with an improved overall-survival.

Coronary artery restenosis and target lesion revascularisation in women by pregnancy history

BACKGROUND

Women's pregnancy history is associated with incident risk of coronary artery disease with some evidence also suggesting a relevance for prognosis following treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To study the associations between maternal history of preterm delivery, a history of small for gestational age infant, parity and age at first delivery with clinical restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, we included 6027 women <65 years undergoing their first PCI 2006-2017, merging clinical register data on PCI procedures in Sweden with comprehensive registry data on deliveries since 1973. We used proportional hazards regression to study the association between aspects of pregnancy history and clinical restenosis in per-segment analyses, and with target lesion revascularisation (TLR) in per-patient analyses. We adjusted models for procedural-related and patient-related predictors of restenosis.

RESULTS

During 15 981 segment-years of follow-up, 343 (3.7%) events of clinical restenosis occurred. We found no strong evidence of associations between the studied aspects of pregnancy history and clinical restenosis following PCI. For example, the restenosis HR for a history of preterm delivery in the fully adjusted model was 1.09 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.55) and the TLR HR was 1.18 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.52).

CONCLUSION

Risk of restenosis following treatment with PCI did not differ by the studied aspects of pregnancy history, including preterm delivery, in young and middle-aged women. Larger studies are needed to obtain more precise estimates.

Gender Differences in Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention-Analysis of 15,106 Patients from the Cardiac Registry of Pakistan Database

There is a scarcity of data on gender differences in outcomes during and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the South Asian population. We assessed the gender differences in in-hospital mortality and complications in patients who underwent PCI. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 15,106 patients from the CROP (Cardiac Registry of Pakistan) CathPCI database. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with in-hospital mortality (primary outcome), access site hematoma, and bleeding complications. Approximately 19.6% were women. Women were older (mean age = 57.3 vs 54.4 years) and had a higher prevalence of diabetes (49.3% vs 32.6%), hypertension (72.8% vs 56.4%), peripheral arterial disease (1.5% vs 1%), and cerebrovascular accident (1.2% vs 0.8%) than men (p <0.05).Unadjusted in-hospital mortality was higher in women than in men (odds ratio [OR]: 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 2.2); however, after adjusting for age, hypertension, diabetes, history of cerebrovascular accident, and ST-elevation myocardial infarction at presentation in the multiple logistic regression model, in-hospital mortality was comparable between men and women (adjusted OR [AOR] 1.2, 95% CI 0.8 to 1.7). The results remained consistent after propensity score matching of 5,904 patients (2,952 in each group, OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.9 to 2.0 for in-hospital mortality). Bleeding complications (1.2% vs 0.4%, AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.5) and access site hematoma (2% vs 0.6%, AOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8 to 4.5) were higher in women than in men. In conclusion, the incidence of in-hospital mortality was higher for women versus men, but adjusted risks were similar, likely driven by a greater co-morbidity burden among women.

Sex-specific Inequalities in the Treatment of Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions: A Sub-analysis of the PREPARE-CALC Trial

Background: Coronary vessels in women may have anatomical and histological particularities. The aim of this study was to investigate sex-specific characteristics and outcomes of patients with calcified coronary arteries in the Prepare-CALC (Comparison of Strategies to Prepare Severely Calcified Coronary Lesions) trial. Methods: The Prepare-CALC trial randomised patients with severe coronary calcification to coronary lesion preparation either using modified balloons (MB; cutting or scoring) or rotational atherectomy (RA). Results: Of 200 randomised patients, 24% were women. Strategy success in general was similar between women (93.8%) and men (88.2%; p=0.27). For men, strategy success was significantly more common with an RA-based strategy than an MB-based strategy (98.7% in the RA group versus 77.3% in the MB group, p<0.001), whereas for women there was no evidence of a significant difference in strategy success between RA and MB (95.7% in the RA group versus 92% in the MB group, p>0.99, p for interaction between sex and treatment strategy=0.03). Overall, significant complications such as death, MI, stent thrombosis, bypass operation and perforations were rare and did not differ significantly by gender or treatment strategy. Plaque rupture and disrupted calcified nodules were more common in women. Conclusion: In a well-defined patient population with severely calcified coronary arteries, lesion preparation with an RA-strategy was superior to an MB-strategy in men. For women, both RA and MB strategies appear to have a similar success rate, although definitive conclusions are limited due to the small number of women in the trial.

Differential impact of anemia in relation to sex in patients with myocardial infarction

Background

Data on the possible sex-specific effects of anemia on clinical outcome in patients with myocardial infarction are extremely sparse, conflicting, and inconclusive. We investigated the possible sex-specific effects of anemia on outcome in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Data from 8,318 patients, who were divided into four groups: men and women with and without anemia on admission, were analyzed. The association between anemia and sex and 30-day and long-term mortality was assessed. The median follow-up time was 7 years (25th, 75th percentile: 4, 11).

Results

Non-anemic men had the lowest 30-day and long-term observed mortality (4.3, 18.7%), followed by non-anemic women (7.0, 25.3%; p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001). Anemic men and women had similar mortality rates (12.8, 46.2%) and (13.4, 45.6%; p = 0.70, p = 0.80), respectively. The anemia/sex groups were independently associated with 30-day and long-term mortality (p = 0.033 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Compared to non-anemic men, non-anemic and anemic women had a similar risk of death at 30 days, but anemic men had a 50% higher risk of death (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.83-1.52; p = 0.45, OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.94-1.79; p = 0.11, OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.13-1.98; p = 0.004, respectively). In the long term, anemic men had a 46% higher, non-anemic women 15% lower, and anemic women a similar long-term mortality risk to non-anemic men (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.31-1.63; p < 0.0001, HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.76-0.96; p = 0.011, and HR 1.06; 95% CI 0.93-1.21; p = 0.37, respectively).

Conclusion

Our result suggests that the influence of anemia in patients with MI is different in men and women, with anemia seemingly much more harmful in male than in female patients with MI.

Gender Differences in Treatment Delays, Management and Mortality among Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of existing gender differences in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), with respect to treatment delays, invasive management of ACS, and short and long-term mortality in patients with ACS.

METHODS

We defined 37 observational studies (OSs) and 21 randomized trials (RCTs) that best corresponded to our interests. OSs and RCTs were analyzed separately.

RESULTS

Women with ACS more often experienced delays in treatment compared to men (OR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.12-1.82) in RCTs. Female patients were less often treated invasively: RCTs (OR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.83-0.9), OSs: (OR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.63-0.68). Women had higher crude in-hospital mortality (OR 1.56; 95% CI, 1.53-1.59) and 30-day mortality (OR 1.71; 95% CI, 1.22-2.4) in OSs and (OR 2.74; 95% CI, 2.48-3.02) in RCTs. After adjustment for multiple covariates, gender difference was attenuated: in-hospital mortality (OR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.17-1.2), 30-day mortality (OR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.12-1.24) in OSs. Unadjusted long-term mortality in women was higher than in men (OR 1.41; 95% CI, 1.31-1.52) in RCTs and (OR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.5) in OSs.

CONCLUSION

Women with ACS experience a delay in time to treatment more often than men. They are also less likely to be treated invasively. Females have shown worse crude short-and long-term all-cause mortality compared to males. However, after adjustment for multiple covariates, a less significant gender difference has been observed. Considering the difference between crude and adjusted mortality, we deem it reasonable to conduct further investigations on gender-related influence of particular risk factors on the outcomes of ACS.

Impact of the Admission Pathway on the Gender-Related Mortality of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

The mortality of women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) exceeds that of men, supposedly the result of older age and co-morbidities. Patients with STEMI can be transported directly to the catherization lab by the emergency medical service (EMS) or to the emergency department (ED) by the EMS, a regular ambulance, or independently. This raises the question whether gender disparity in the transport of patients with STEMI may affect time to therapy and consequently explain the disparate outcome in men and women with STEMI. We analyzed a large nationwide registry of prospectively-recorded patients with acute coronary syndromes in order to determine if there is a survival gap between men and women with STEMI, and to assess the gender-related effect of admission pathway on time intervals and 5-year mortality. Study population included 2,740 patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary interventions, comprising 464 women (17%, median-70 years) and 2,276 men (83%, median-58 years). The unadjusted 5-year mortality of women was higher compared with men (26.4% vs 15.6%, p = 0.001) but adjustment abrogated this survival difference. Regardless of adjustment, the 5-year mortality of patients with STEMI admitted directly to the catherization lab or to the ED by EMS was similar for men and women but significantly lower in the directly admitted patients (p <0.028). In contrast, admission to the ED by non-EMS was associated with markedly worse survival among women. These results indicate that women suspected of STEMI benefit from transportation by the EMS and should use this pathway exclusively to reach the hospital.

Role of Gender on the Outcomes of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Following Primary Coronary Angioplasty

Background There are considerable differences in the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its cardiovascular risk factors between men and women. Due to the significance of gender as a factor that potentially affects cardiovascular disorders and patient outcomes, the present study aimed to assess the baseline characteristics and outcomes of CAD patients in terms of gender distribution. Methods All consecutive patients diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) who had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the previous two years in a comprehensive cardiology center were included. Data were retrospectively collected from the hospital record files. Color Doppler echocardiography, valvular involvement, and the type of coronary vessel involvement were also evaluated. Results In total, 557 consecutive patients (437 men and 120 women) were included with a mean age of 59.37 ± 26.23 years and 64.07 ± 11.60 years for men and women, respectively (p = 0.004). The prevalence of mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was significantly higher among women than men. Conclusion Female patients who suffered from CAD and underwent PCI were older than men. Also, ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were more prevalent among women, while smoking was more prevalent among men.

The Lancet women and cardiovascular disease Commission: reducing the global burden by 2030

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women. Decades of grassroots campaigns have helped to raise awareness about the impact of cardiovascular disease in women, and positive changes affecting women and their health have gained momentum. Despite these efforts, there has been stagnation in the overall reduction of cardiovascular disease burden for women in the past decade. Cardiovascular disease in women remains understudied, under-recognised, underdiagnosed, and undertreated. This Commission summarises existing evidence and identifies knowledge gaps in research, prevention, treatment, and access to care for women. Recommendations from an international team of experts and leaders in the field have been generated with a clear focus to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease in women by 2030. This Commission represents the first effort of its kind to connect stakeholders, to ignite global awareness of sex-related and gender-related disparities in cardiovascular disease, and to provide a springboard for future research.

Impact of regionalizing ST-elevation myocardial infarction care on sex differences in reperfusion times and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention historically experience worse in-hospital outcomes compared to men.

HYPOTHESIS

Implementation of a regional STEMI system will reduce care gaps in reperfusion times and in-hospital outcomes between women and men.

METHODS

1928 patients (413 women, 21.4%) presented with an acute STEMI between June 2007 and March 2016. The population was divided into an early cohort (n = 728 patients, 2007-May 2011), and a late cohort (n = 1200 patients, June 2011-2016). The primary endpoints evaluated were reperfusion times and in-hospital outcomes.

RESULTS

Compared to men, women experienced significant delays in first medical contact (FMC) to arrival at the emergency room (26.0 vs. 22.0 min, p < 0.001) and FMC-to-device (109 vs. 101 min p = 0.001). Women had higher incidences of post-PCI heart failure and death compared to men (p < 0.05). Following multivariable adjustment, no mortality difference was observed for women versus men (adjusted OR; 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51-1.34; p = 0.433) or for early versus late cohorts (adjusted OR; 1.04; 95% CI, 0.68-1.60; p = 0.856).

CONCLUSION

Following STEMI regionalization, women continued to experience significantly longer reperfusion times, although there was no difference in adjusted mortality. These results highlight the ongoing disparity of STEMI care between women and men, and suggest that regionalization alone is insufficient to close sex-based care gaps.

Prevalence, clinical determinants and prognostic implications of coronary procedural complications of percutaneous coronary intervention in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Insights from the contemporary multinational TAO trial

BACKGROUND

Few data are available on procedural complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of acute coronary syndrome in the contemporary era.

AIM

We sought to describe the prevalence of procedural complications of PCI in a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS) cohort, and to identify their clinical characteristics and association with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Patients randomized in TAO (Treatment of Acute coronary syndrome with Otamixaban), an international randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01076764) that compared otamixaban with unfractionated heparin plus eptifibatide in patients with NSTE ACS who underwent PCI, were included in the analysis. Procedural complications were collected prospectively, categorized and adjudicated by a blinded Clinical Events Committee, with review of angiograms. A multivariable model was constructed to identify independent clinical characteristics associated with procedural complications.

RESULTS

A total of 8656 patients with NSTE ACS who were enrolled in the TAO trial underwent PCI, and 451 (5.2%) experienced at least one complication. The most frequent complications were no/slow reflow (1.5%) and dissection with decreased flow (1.2%). Procedural complications were associated with the 7-day ischaemic outcome of death, myocardial infarction or stroke (24.2% vs. 6.0%, odds ratio 5.01, 95% confidence interval 3.96-6.33; P<0.0001) and with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction major and minor bleeding (6.2% vs. 2.3%, odds ratio 2.79, 95% confidence interval 1.86-4.2; P<0.0001). Except for previous coronary artery bypass grafting, multivariable analysis did not identify preprocedural clinical predictors of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In a contemporary NSTE ACS population, procedural complications with PCI remain frequent, are difficult to predict based on clinical characteristics, and are associated with worse ischaemic and haemorrhagic outcomes.

The Effect of Pharmacological Preconditioning with Nicorandil before Elective Coronary Stenting on the Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Aim. To study nicorandil prescription effects before elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to prevent myocardial injury and 4a type acute myocardial infarction (MI, primary endpoint) and cardiovascular events (CVE) in the first year after PCI (secondary endpoint) in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Material and methods. 182 patients with stable coronary artery disease were included into the study and were randomized into two groups: nicorandil treatment group (n=90) and a control group with a standard medical treatment (n=92). Nicorandil was prescribed orally: 2 days before PCI – 30 mg/day; on the day of PCI – 20 mg 2 hours before intervention and 10 mg 6-12 hours after PCI; over the next 30 days – 30 mg/day. High sensitivity troponin I (hs-Tr) and creatine kinase-MB tests were carried out before PCI, 24 and 72 hours after the intervention; the 4a type MI was diagnosed according to the 4th Universal Definition. Non-fatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, death from cardiovascular diseases, repeat revascularization (PCI, coronary artery bypass surgery due to aggravation), hospital admissions for angina pectoris recurrence (without interventions) and death from any causes were considered as cardiovascular events. Data on adverse outcomes were collected over the hospital stay, and then 30, 180 and 365 days after the hospital discharge.

Results. 4a type MI was diagnosed in 14 patients (8%), in women – 12% and in men – 6%. There was a significant decrease in the incidence of type 4a MI in the nicorandil group (n=3; 3%) compared with the control group (n=11; 12%; p=0.05). Secondary endpoint was recorded in 21% of patients. The relationship was found between 4a type MI and the incidence of CVE the next year after the PCI (p=0.01). In patients with type 4a MI CVE odd ratio increases 5.8 times with confidence interval from 1.5426 to 21.6024. According to the logistic regression analysis the significant relationship between hs-Tr growth 24 hours after the PCI and CVE incidence next year after the PCI was found with cutting value 389.8 pg/ml, AUC=0.641 (p=0.04).

Сonclusion. Peroral nicorandil 30 mg/day 2 days before PCI, 20 mg 2 hours before surgery and 10 mg 6-12 hours after PCI, and 30 mg/day next 30 days after PCI decreases the risk of intraoperative myocardial injury and CVE in the next year after PCI.

Sex-Specific Treatment Effects After Primary Percutaneous Intervention: A Study on Coronary Blood Flow and Delay to Hospital Presentation

Background We hypothesized that female sex is a treatment effect modifier of blood flow and related 30-day mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI ) for ST -segment-elevation myocardial infarction and that the magnitude of the effect on outcomes differs depending on delay to hospital presentation. Methods and Results We identified 2596 patients enrolled in the ISACS - TC (International Survey of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Transitional Countries) registry from 2010 to 2016. Primary outcome was the occurrence of 30-day mortality. Key secondary outcome was the rate of suboptimal post- PCI Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction ( TIMI ; flow grade 0-2). Multivariate logistic regression and inverse probability of treatment weighted models were adjusted for baseline clinical covariates. We characterized patient outcomes associated with a delay from symptom onset to hospital presentation of ≤120 minutes. In multivariable regression models, female sex was associated with postprocedural TIMI flow grade 0 to 2 (odds ratio [ OR ], 1.68; 95% CI , 1.15-2.44) and higher mortality ( OR, 1.72; 95% CI , 1.02-2.90). Using inverse probability of treatment weighting, 30-day mortality was higher in women compared with men (4.8% versus 2.5%; OR , 2.00; 95% CI , 1.27-3.15). Likewise, we found a significant sex difference in post- PCI TIMI flow grade 0 to 2 (8.8% versus 5.0%; OR , 1.83; 95% CI , 1.31-2.56). The sex gap in mortality was no longer significant for patients having hospital presentation of ≤120 minutes ( OR , 1.28; 95% CI , 0.35-4.69). Sex difference in post- PCI TIMI flow grade was consistent regardless of time to hospital presentation. Conclusions Delay to hospital presentation and suboptimal post- PCI TIMI flow grade are variables independently associated with excess mortality in women, suggesting complementary mechanisms of reduced survival. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT 01218776.

Associations of changes in patient characteristics and management with decrease in mortality rates of men and women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction - a propensity score-matched analysis

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to estimate how much of the recent decrease in mortality among patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) can be attributed to improved treatment strategies, and how much it is related to changes in baseline clinical characteristics, and to compare these findings for men and women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of 32,790 patients with STEMI from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes PL-ACS hospitalised in 2005 and 2011. Changes in treatment strategies including pharmacotherapy were analysed. Observed in-hospital and 12-month mortality rates were compared with the outcomes in the groups matched on the propensity scores.

RESULTS

There was a substantial improvement in STEMI patient management between 2005 and 2011 in Poland. It included greater use of percutaneous coronary interventions and other guideline-based adjunctive therapies, and it was associated with a significant decline in in-hospital mortality. Relative 12-month mortality reduction rates were less pronounced and more related to changes in patients' clinical characteristics. Higher mortality risk reductions were observed in women and were driven by relatively more positive changes in their baseline risk profiles when compared to men.

CONCLUSIONS

The progress in the treatment strategies has helped to achieve better survival rates in STEMI patients. However, the ongoing changes in clinical characteristics of patients also played an important role, especially in women. Clinicians should focus on modifiable risk factors and post-discharge management to possibly prolong the positive aspects of in-hospital efforts.

ST-elevation myocardial infarction in a real world population - An observational retrospective study with a sex perspective

BACKGROUND

Mortality after myocardial infarction is higher in women than in men. Data on the association between sex and mortality are conflicting and inconclusive. We evaluated whether there is a sex difference in survival and if sex is associated with the outcome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

We analyzed 3671 STEMI patients. Long-term and 30-day mortality in men and women were compared.

RESULTS

Unadjusted mortality at day 30 was higher in women [221 (8.7%) men died compared to 147 (13.1%) women; p < 0.0001]. After multivariate adjustments, this became insignificant (OR 1.65; 95% CI; 0.81 to 1.40). The long-term, unadjusted mortality was also higher in women [674 (26.3%) men died compared to 382 (34%) women; p < 0.0001]. After multivariable adjustments, female sex (adjusted HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.71 to 0.93; p = 0.002), bleeding (adjusted HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.52 to 2.10; p < 0.0001), renal dysfunction adjusted HR (1.60; 95% CI 1.40 to 1.84; p < 0.0001), hyperlipidemia (adjusted HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.40 to 1.85; p < 0.0001), arterial hypertension (adjusted HR 1.17; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.33; p = 0.015), diabetes (adjusted HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.35 to 1.78; p < 0.0001), age (adjusted HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.06; p < 0.0001), anemia on admission (adjusted HR 1.38; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.58; p < 0.0001), and heart failure (adjusted HR 2.40; 95% CI 2.09 to 2.75; p < 0.0001) predicted long-term mortality.

CONCLUSION

Female sex was associated with a lower risk of dying in the long term. However, risk factors, age, and comorbidities associated with female patients affected the worse outcome.

Sex-Related Differences in In-Hospital Mortality in Japanese ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Presenting to Hospital in the 24 Hours After Symptom Onset - Results From K-ACTIVE

Background: Despite the drastic advances in clinical care for patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), female STEMI patients have higher in-hospital mortality rates than male patients. This study assessed the influence of sex on in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Methods and Results: From October 2015 to June 2018, 2,491 consecutive STEMI patients (23.9% female) who presented to hospital in the 24 h after symptom onset were analyzed. The female patients were 9 years older and less frequently had diabetes, smoking and prior MI than male patients. Pre-hospital managements, including prehospital 12-lead electrocardiography, and symptom-to-door time were similar between the sexes. A door-to-device time ≤90 min was achieved in 61.3% of female cases and in 65.0% of male cases (P=0.13). Reperfusion therapy was provided to 94.6% of female and 97.6% of male patients (P<0.001). In-hospital mortality rate was not significantly different between female and male patients (6.6% vs. 7.8%, P=0.37). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, female sex itself was not associated with in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.52; 95% CI: 0.67–3.47, P=0.32).

Conclusions: There was no sex discrepancy in the in-hospital mortality of STEMI patients in this study. Guideline-based treatment, such as advanced pre-hospital management and a high use of reperfusion therapy might have attenuated the sex-related differences in the in-hospital mortality.

Long-term Safety and Efficacy of New-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Women With Acute Myocardial Infarction: From the Women in Innovation and Drug-Eluting Stents (WIN-DES) Collaboration

Importance

Women with acute myocardial infarction (MI) undergoing mechanical reperfusion remain at increased risk of adverse cardiac events and mortality compared with their male counterparts. Whether the benefits of new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) are preserved in women with acute MI remains unclear.

Objective

To investigate the long-term safety and efficacy of new-generation DES vs early-generation DES in women with acute MI.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Collaborative, international, individual patient-level data of women enrolled in 26 randomized clinical trials of DES were analyzed between July and December 2016. Only women presenting with an acute coronary syndrome were included. Study population was categorized according to presentation with unstable angina (UA) vs acute MI. Acute MI included non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) or ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI).

Interventions

Randomization to early- (sirolimus- or paclitaxel-eluting stents) vs new-generation (everolimus-, zotarolimus-, or biolimus-eluting stents) DES.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Composite of death, MI or target lesion revascularization, and definite or probable stent thrombosis at 3-year follow-up.

Results

Overall, the mean age of participants was 66.8 years. Of 11 577 women included in the pooled data set, 4373 (37.8%) had an acute coronary syndrome as clinical presentation. Of these 4373 women, 2176 (49.8%) presented with an acute MI. In women with acute MI, new-generation DES were associated with lower risk of death, MI or target lesion revascularization (14.9% vs 18.4%; absolute risk difference, -3.5%; number needed to treat [NNT], 29; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.61-0.99), and definite or probable stent thrombosis (1.4% vs 4.0%; absolute risk difference, -2.6%; NNT, 46; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.19-0.69) without evidence of interaction for both end points compared with women without acute MI (P for interaction = .59 and P for interaction = .31, respectively). A graded absolute benefit with use of new-generation DES was observed in the transition from UA, to NSTEMI, and to STEMI (for death, MI, or target lesion revascularization: UA, -0.5% [NNT, 222]; NSTEMI, -3.1% [NNT, 33]; STEMI, -4.0% [NNT, 25] and for definite or probable ST: UA, -0.4% [NNT, 278]; NSTEMI, -2.2% [NNT, 46]; STEMI, -4.0% [NNT, 25]).

Conclusions and Relevance

New-generation DES are associated with consistent and durable benefits over 3 years in women presenting with acute MI. The magnitude of these benefits appeared to be greater per increase in severity of acute coronary syndrome.

Age-Specific Sex-Based Differences in Anemia in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Background: Data are lacking concerning possible age-specific sex-based differences in anemia in myocardial infarction (MI) patients and its association with the outcome. The aim was to assess whether these differences in anemia (on admission and at discharge) in MI patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are associated with the outcome. Methods: Data from 5579 MI patients (31.0% women) undergoing PCI at our institution were analyzed. Men and women in different age groups were compared regarding anemia and its association with the 30-day and long-term all-cause mortality. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Women suffered anemia more than men (37.5% vs. 26.8%; p < 0.0001). The prevalence of anemia increased rapidly with age in men but not in women. A J-shaped relationship between age and anemia was found in women. The lower the age, the greater the difference in the prevalence of anemia between the sexes. The difference in the prevalence of anemia at discharge was even more pronounced. Anemia on admission (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-1.76; p = 0.005) and at discharge (OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.98-3.44; p < 0.0001) predicted a higher 30-day mortality. Women had a better adjusted long-term prognosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.69-0.87; p < 0.0001) for the total population. Anemia on admission (HR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.29-1.60; p < 0.0001) and at discharge (HR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.23-2.21; p < 0.0001) predicted a higher long-term mortality. Conclusion: Younger women with MI suffer anemia more frequently than their male peers. Anemia was associated with a worse outcome. Age-specific sex-based differences in anemia help to explain the increased sex-related mortality in MI patients undergoing PCI.

Sex-Related Differences in Short- and Long-Term Outcome among Young and Middle-Aged Patients for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background:

Females with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have higher in-hospital and short-term mortality rates compared with males in China, suggesting that a sex disparity exists. The age of onset of STEMI is ahead of time and tends to be younger. However, there are relatively little data on the significance of sex on prognosis for long-term outcomes for adult patients with STEMI after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in China. This study sought to analyze the sex differences in 30-day, 1-year, and long-term net adverse clinical events (NACEs) in Chinese adult patients with STEMI after PCI.

Methods:

This study retrospectively analyzed 1920 consecutive STEMI patients (age ≤60 years) treated with PCI from January 01, 2006, to December 31, 2012. A propensity score analysis between males and females was performed to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics and comorbidities. The primary endpoint was the incidence of 3-year NACE. Survival curves were constructed with Kaplan-Meier estimates and compared by log-rank tests between the two groups. Multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model for 3-year NACE.

Results:

Compared with males, females had higher risk profiles associated with old age, longer prehospital delay at the onset of STEMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease, and a higher Killip class (≥3), with more multivessel diseases (P < 0.05). The female group had a higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (2.72 [2.27, 3.29] vs. 2.53 [2.12, 3.00], P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein (1.43 [1.23, 1.71] vs. 1.36 [1.11, 1.63], P = 0.003), total cholesterol (4.98 ± 1.10 vs. 4.70 ± 1.15, t = −3.508, P < 0.001), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (103.12 ± 22.22 vs. 87.55 ± 18.03, t = −11.834, P < 0.001) than the male group. In the propensity-matched analysis, being female was associated with a higher risk for 3-year NACE and major adverse cardiac or cerebral events compared with males. In the multivariate model, female gender (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.557, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.415–4.620, P = 0.002), hypertension (HR: 2.017, 95% CI: 1.138–3.576, P = 0.016), and family history of coronary heart disease (HR: 2.256, 95% CI: 1.115–4.566, P = 0.024) were independent risk factors for NACE. The number of stents (HR: 0.625, 95% CI: 0.437–0.894, P = 0.010) was independent protective factors of NACE.

Conclusions:

Females with STEMI undergoing PCI have a significantly higher risk for 3-year NACE compared with males in this population. Sex differences appear to be a risk factor and present diagnostic challenges for clinicians.

Gender difference in clinical outcomes of the patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Previous researches have reported the controversial results regarding the gender difference in clinical outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to investigate whether gender difference existed in patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database were searched up to February 10, 2018. Studies comparing the gender-specific effect on clinical outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention were identified, to analyze mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and revascularization. Statistical software RevMan was utilized in this meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 49 studies, involving 1,032,828 patients (774,115 males and 258,713 females) reporting gender-specific outcomes, were included in this study. The in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, 1-year mortality, and at least 2-years mortality in male patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention were significantly lower than those of females (odds ratio [OR] 0.58 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.63, P < .001; OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.61-0.66, P = .04; OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.60-0.75, P < .001 and OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.63-0.79, P = .005, respectively). The MACE was significantly decreased in male subjects after initial percutaneous coronary intervention compared with females in <1-year or at least 1-year (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.56-0.80, P < .001 and OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.76-0.93, P < .001). The male patients after percutaneous coronary intervention harbored higher rate of revascularization compared with females for at least 1-year (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.00-1.36, P < .001), while the rate of revascularization in male patients for < 1-year was lower than that of females (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.69-1.26, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that the prognosis of male patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention is better than that of females, except for long-term revascularization.

Survival benefit from recent changes in management of men and women with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary interventions

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, the majority of patients with myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) are treated with primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). In recent years, there have been ongoing improvements in PCI techniques, devices and concomitant pharmacotherapy. However, reports on further mortality reduction among PCI-treated STEMI patients remain inconclusive. The aim of this study was to compare changes in management and mortality in PCI-treated STEMI patients between 2005 and 2011 in a real-life setting.

METHODS

Data on 79,522 PCI-treated patients with STEMI from Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) admitted to Polish hospitals between 2005 and 2011 were analyzed. First, temporal trends of in-hospital management in men and women were presented. In the next step, patients from 2005 and 2011 were nearest neighbor matched on their propensity scores to compare in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality rates and in-hospital management strategies and complications.

RESULTS

Some significant changes were noted in hospital management including shortening of median times from admission to PCI, increased use of drug-eluting stents, potent antiplatelet agents but also less frequent use of statin, beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers. There was a strong tendency toward preforming additional PCI of non-infarct related arteries, especially in women. After propensity score adjustment there were significant changes in inhospital but not in 30-day or 1-year mortality rates between 2005 and 2011. The results were similar in men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

There were apparent changes in management and significant in-hospital mortality reductions in PCI-treated STEMI patients between 2005 and 2011. However, it did not result in 30-day or 1-year survival benefit at a population level. There may be room for improvement in the use of guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy.

CYP2C19 Genotype is an Independent Predictor of Adverse Cardiovascular Outcome in Iraqi Patients on Clopidogrel After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

To determine the impact of CYP2C19 genotyping on the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), in cohort of Iraqi patients on clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a total of 201 Iraqi patients undergoing the latter procedure were enrolled. All enrollees had their CYP2C19 genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and reverse hybridization. Genotyping revealed that CYP2C19 *1, *17, *2, and *8 allele frequencies were, respectively, 0.604, 0.276, 0.117, and 0.0026. After the exclusion of those with 2 loss of function alleles, 186 patients were available for follow-up as long as they were on clopidogrel, or until MACE occurred, which was encountered in 8.6% after a median of 12 months. Among predictors associated with MACE was the carriage of one CYP2C19 loss of function allele {hazard ratio (HR) 8.6 [confidence interval (CI) 3.15-23.4]; P < 0.0005}, hypertension [HR 3.74 (CI 1.06-13.16); P = 0.04], reduced ventricular function [HR 3.88 (1.43-10.54); P = 0.008], and history of previous myocardial infarction [HR 4.9 (CI 1.48-11.33); P = 0.007] by univariate analysis, although only CYP2C19 genotype remained significant by multivariate analysis [HR 11.88 (CI 3.25-43.44); P < 0.0005]. The latter observation favors CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy and extending the use of alternative antiplatelet drugs to those with single loss of function allele after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Predictors of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Improvement After Primary Stenting in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (from the Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial)

The predictors of improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are poorly understood. We sought to determine the prevalence and clinical and angiographic predictors of LVEF improvement after primary PCI in STEMI. In the Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction trial, 3,602 patients presenting with STEMI were randomized to heparin + a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor versus bivalirudin. Routine 13-month angiographic follow-up was performed in a prespecified substudy of 656 stented patients. The median [25%, 75%] change in LVEF from baseline to 13 months was +2.4% [-5.9%, 11.8%]; LVEF increased or remained unchanged in 379 patients (57.8%; median Δ +9.8% [4.3%, 16.4%]) and fell in 277 patients (42.2%; median Δ -7.0% [-11.8%, -3.6%]). Independent predictors of LVEF improvement were female gender (p = 0.002), lower baseline LVEF (p <0.0001), Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 3 flow after PCI (p = 0.03), shorter lesion length (p = 0.04), and lower post-PCI peak MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (p <0.0001). In conclusion, in the Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction trial, although LVEF improved during follow-up after primary PCI in more than half of patients, left ventricular function worsened over time in a substantial proportion, the occurrence of which may be predicted by clinical, angiographic, and laboratory variables.

Clinical outcomes following primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction according to sex and race

Background:

Female sex and South Asian race have been associated with poor clinical outcomes following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) but remain understudied in large real-world series. We therefore investigated the association of sex and race with clinical outcomes following PPCI.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective study of all patients undergoing PPCI for STEMI between January 2009 and December 2011 at a large UK cardiac centre. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared according to sex and race using Chi-square test, independent samples Student’s t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test. Primary and secondary outcomes were 12-month major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) – defined as all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and unplanned revascularization, analysed using Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors.

Results:

Three thousand and forty-nine patients were included. Women ( n=826) were older than men ( n=2223) (median age 69 vs. 60 years, p <0.01). Mortality (hazard ratio 1.48 (1.15–1.90)) and MACE (hazard ratio 1.40 (1.14–1.72)) were higher in women in univariable analysis. However, there were no significant sex-differences in mortality or MACE after age-stratification alone. Multivariable analysis also showed no significant differences in outcomes between sexes. South Asians ( n=297) were younger but had a higher prevalence of most risk factors than White patients ( n=2570). Mortality and MACE did not differ significantly between South Asian and White patients in univariable or multivariable analysis.

Conclusion:

MACE and mortality was not greater in women, or in South Asian patients following PPCI after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors including age, which was most strongly associated with both outcomes.

Association between gender and short-term outcome in patients with ST elevation myocardial infraction participating in the international, prospective, randomised Administration of Ticagrelor in the catheterisation Laboratory or in the Ambulance for New ST elevation myocardial Infarction to open the Coronary artery (ATLANTIC) trial: a prespecified analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate gender differences in outcomes in patents with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) planned for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

SETTINGS

A prespecified gender analysis of the multicentre, randomised, double-blind Administration of Ticagrelor in the catheterisation Laboratory or in the Ambulance for New ST elevation myocardial Infarction to open the Coronary artery.

PARTICIPANTS

Between September 2011 and October 2013, 1862 patients with STEMI and symptom duration <6 hours were included.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were assigned to prehospital versus in-hospital administration of 180 mg ticagrelor.

OUTCOMES

The main objective was to study the association between gender and primary and secondary outcomes of the main study with a focus on the clinical efficacy and safety outcomes.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

the proportion of patients who did not have 70% resolution of ST-segment elevation and did not meet the criteria for Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow 3 at initial angiography. Secondary outcome: the composite of death, MI, stent thrombosis, stroke or urgent revascularisation and major or minor bleeding at 30 days.

RESULTS

Women were older, had higher TIMI risk score, longer prehospital delays and better TIMI flow in the infarct-related artery. Women had a threefold higher risk for all-cause mortality compared with men (5.7% vs 1.9%, HR 3.13, 95% CI 1.78 to 5.51). After adjustment, the difference was attenuated but remained statistically significant (HR 2.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 4.20). The incidence of major bleeding events was twofold to threefold higher in women compared with men. In the multivariable model, female gender was not an independent predictor of bleeding (Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes major HR 1.45, 95% CI 0.73 to 2.86, TIMI major HR 1.28, 95% CI 0.47 to 3.48, Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 3-5 HR 1.45, 95% CI 0.72 to 2.91). There was no interaction between gender and efficacy or safety of randomised treatment.

CONCLUSION

In patients with STEMI planned for PPCI and treated with modern antiplatelet therapy, female gender was an independent predictor of short-term mortality. In contrast, the higher incidence of bleeding complications in women could mainly be explained by older age and clustering of comorbidities.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01347580;Post-results.

Sex Differences in Outcomes Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention According to Age

BACKGROUND

Women <50 years of age with coronary artery disease may represent a group at higher risk for recurrent ischemic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, no long-term, multicenter outcomes assessment exists in this population.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Dynamic Registry, we evaluated the association of sex and age on cardiovascular-related outcomes in 10,963 patients (3797 women, 394 <50 years) undergoing PCI and followed for 5 years. Death, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and repeat PCI were primary outcomes comprising major adverse cardiovascular events. Although procedural success rates were similar by sex, the cumulative rate of major adverse cardiovascular events at 1 year was higher in young women (27.8 versus 19.9%; P=0.003), driven largely by higher rates of repeat revascularizations for target vessel or target lesion failure (coronary artery bypass graft surgery: 8.9% versus 3.9%, P<0.001, adjusted hazard ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.5-4.0; PCI: 19.0% versus 13.0%, P=0.005, adjusted hazard ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.2-2.2). At 5 years, young women remained at higher risk for repeat procedures (coronary artery bypass graft surgery: 10.7% versus 6.8%, P=0.04, adjusted hazard ratio 1.71, 95% confidence interval 1.01-2.88; repeat PCI [target vessel]: 19.7% versus 11.8%, P=0.002, adjusted hazard ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.24-2.82). Compared with older women, younger women remained at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, whereas all outcome rates were similar in older women and men.

CONCLUSIONS

Young women, despite having less severe angiographic coronary artery disease, have an increased risk of target vessel and target lesion failure. The causes of this difference deserve further investigation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00005677.

Gender Differences in Associations Between Intraprocedural Thrombotic Events During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Adverse Outcomes

Women are frequently reported to have increased morbidity after presentation with acute coronary syndromes and myocardial infarction; however, whether a greater thrombotic tendency contributes to gender differences in clinical outcomes of urgent percutaneous coronary intervention is unknown. Intraprocedural Thrombotic Events (IPTEs) are defined as new or increasing thrombus, abrupt vessel closure, no reflow or slow reflow, or distal embolization at any time during percutaneous coronary intervention. IPTEs were evaluated in this pooled analysis of 6,591 patients with stent implantation and blinded quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) analysis, from the ACUITY and HORIZONS-AMI trials. We compared major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at in-hospital, 30-day, and 1-year follow-up and major bleeding at 30 days according to gender and the presence or absence of IPTE. IPTE was identified in 507 patients (7.7%), with 119 of 1,744 (6.8%) occurring in women and 388 of 4,847 (8.0%) in men (p = 0.12). IPTE, but not gender, was independently associated with MACE at in-hospital and 30-day follow-up. At 1-year follow-up, the adjusted hazard of MACE was higher in women and in patients with IPTE; however, the risk of MACE associated with IPTE was similar among women and men. There was no significant interaction between IPTE and gender for 1-year MACE or 30-day bleeding. IPTE predicted major bleeding only in women. In conclusion, in acute coronary syndromes, women have increased risk of adverse outcome at 1 year. IPTEs are common, occur at similar frequency, and are associated with similar degree of increased MACE in both genders at short- and long-term follow-up. Higher thrombotic propensity does not offer a mechanistic explanation for the worse outcomes noted in women.

Gender differences in outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome in the current era: A review

Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. In the United Kingdom in 2010, over 80,000 deaths were attributed to coronary heart disease, and one in 10 female deaths were due to coronary heart disease. Acute coronary syndrome, a subset of coronary heart disease, was responsible for 175,000 inpatient admissions in the United Kingdom in 2012. While men have traditionally been considered to be at higher risk of acute coronary syndrome, various studies have demonstrated that women often suffer from poorer outcomes following an adverse cardiovascular event. This gap is gradually narrowing with the introduction of advanced interventional strategies and pharmacotherapy. However, a better understanding of these differences is of crucial importance for the improvement of the pharmacological and interventional management of acute coronary syndrome and for the development of possible new gender-specific diagnostic and therapeutic options. The goals of this review are to evaluate gender differences in outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome in the current era and identify potential mechanisms behind these differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention.

A meta-analysis of sex-related differences in outcomes after primary percutaneous intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

The increasing use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has improved clinical outcome in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, but the impact of sex on early and mid-term outcomes remains to be defined.

METHODS

Medline, Cochrane Library, Biomed Central, and Google Scholar were searched for articles describing differences in baseline, periprocedural, and midterm outcomes after pPCI, by sex. The primary end point was all-cause mortality at early and mid-term follow-up. Secondary endpoints included in-hospital bleeding and stroke.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included. Women were older, had more frequent hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hypercholesterolemia, as well as longer ischemia time and more shock at presentation. Men were more likely to have had a previous myocardial infarction. Female sex emerged as independently associated to early mortality (OR 1.1; 95%CI, 1.02-1.18) but not to mid-term mortality (OR, 1.01; 95%CI, 0.99-1.03). The pooled analysis showed a significantly higher risk of in hospital stroke (OR, 1.69; 95%CI, 1.11-2.56) and major bleeding (OR, 2.04; 95%CI, 1.51-2.77) in women.

CONCLUSIONS

As compared to men, women undergoing pPCI have more bleedings and strokes, and a worse early, but not mid-term mortality. These findings may allow a better risk stratification of pPCI patients.

Symptom-to-door times in patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction--do ethnic or gender differences exist?

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown higher in-hospital mortality for female patients and ethnic minorities admitted to hospital with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Pre-hospital delay is thought to be associated with increased in-hospital mortality.

AIM

To assess the impact of gender and ethnicity on symptom-to-door time (STDT) in patients presenting with STEMI.

DESIGN

Retrospective survey of consecutive patients receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2008 and January 2013. A multivariate model was used to adjust for confounders.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Influence of gender and ethnicity on STDT.

RESULTS

We analysed 1020 patients (75% male, 263 South Asians, 38 Afro Caribbeans and 719 White Europeans.) There was a trend towards longer unadjusted median STDT in women compared with men (132 min vs. 113 min P = 0.07) which disappeared after correction for age and ethnicity (P = 0.15). There was no gender difference in hospital mortality after correction for age (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.40-1.18, P = 0.17). On linear regression analysis South Asians showed a trend towards longer STDT than other ethnic groups (P = 0.08) however after adjustment for diabetes there was no association between South Asian ethnicity and hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither female gender nor ethnicity were shown to be associated with significant pre-hospital delay.

Gender Related Survival Differences in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated with Primary PCI

BACKGROUND

Data about gender as an independent risk factor for death in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is still contrasting. Aim was to assess how gender influences in-hospital and long-term all-cause mortality in STEMI patients with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our region.

METHODS

We analysed data from 2069 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI in our institution from January 2009-December 2014, of whom 28.9% were women. In-hospital and long-term mortality were observed in women and men. The effect of gender on in-hospital mortality was assessed by binary logistic regression modelling and by Cox regression analysis for long-term mortality.

RESULTS

Women were older (68.3±61.8 vs 61.8±12.0 years; p<0.0001), with a higher prevalence of diabetes (13.7% vs 9.9%; p=0.013) and tend to be more frequently admitted in cardiogenic shock (8.4% vs 6.3%; p =0.085). They were less frequently treated with bivalirudin (15.9% vs 20.3%; p=0.022). In-hospital mortality was higher among women (14.2% vs 7.8%; p<0.0001). After adjustment, age (adjusted OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.08; p < 0.001) and cardiogenic shock at admission (adjusted OR: 24.56; 95% CI: 11.98 to 50.35; p < 0.001), but not sex (adjusted OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 0.80 to 2.71) were identified as prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality. During the median follow-up of 27 months (25th, 75th percentile: 9, 48) the mortality rate (23.6% vs 15.1%; p<0.0001) was significantly higher in women. The multivariate adjusted Cox regression model identified age (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.04-1.07; p<0.0001), cardiogenic shock at admission (HR 6.09; 95% CI 3.78-9.81; p<0.0001), hypertension (HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.02-2.18; p<0.046), but not sex (HR 1.04; 95% CI 0.74-1.47) as independent prognostic factors of follow-up mortality.

CONCLUSION

Older age and worse clinical presentation rather than gender may explain the higher mortality rate in women with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

The impact of gender on long-term mortality in patients with multivessel disease after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

Gender and complete revascularisation are known to affect mortality. The objective of this study was to analyse a gender difference in mortality with respect to complete revascularisation for multivessel disease after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Method

In a prospective consecutive cohort of 1472 patients presenting with STEMI for PPCI, between January 2006 and January 2010, 832 patients with multivessel disease were analysed. The primary outcome was long-term mortality.

Results

Median follow-up was 3.3 ± 1.2 years. Complete revascularisation was performed less in females than in males (30 vs. 38 %; p = 0.04). At PPCI, women (27 %, n = 221) were ± 10 years older (p = 0.001), had more hypertension, renal failure and symptoms of heart failure (all p < 0.01). Cumulative long-term mortality with incomplete revascularisation was higher in females (F: 30 vs. M: 15 %, p = 0.01). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, complete revascularisation (0.84; 95 % CI 0.54–1.32) and gender (1.11; 95 % CI 0.73–1.69) lost significance. Also the gender-by-complete revascularisation interaction was not significant at long term. In women, age under 60 years independently predicted higher mortality (HR 10.09; 95 % CI 3.08–33.08; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In STEMI patients with multivessel disease at PPCI, women under the age of 60 years had higher mortality, but in women older than 60 years comorbidity impacted the outcome of revascularisation strategy in the long term.

Comparison of Serum Uric Acid, Bilirubin, and C-Reactive Protein as Prognostic Biomarkers of In-Hospital MACE Between Women and Men With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), uric acid (UA), and total bilirubin (TB) are associated with coronary artery disease and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We retrospectively included 1167 patients with STEMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and routine blood sampling. The study cohort consisted of 803 patients (73.1% male, mean age 62.5 ± 13.4 years). In men, the levels of CRP, TB, and UA were significantly higher in the MACE than in the non-MACE group (P < .05). The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis shows that CRP (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.66; P = .014) and TB (AUC: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.51-0.65; P = .019) are significantly associated with MACE but not UA (AUC: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.42-0.76; P = .083). Logistic regression revealed CRP (odds ratio [OR] 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00-1.01; P = .006) and TB (OR 2.03; 95% CI: 1.12-3.40; P = .007) as an independent predictor for MACE. In women, none of the biomarkers was associated with MACE by ROC analysis or logistic regression analysis. This study demonstrated that high CRP and TB serum levels have a prognostic association with in-hospital MACE in male patients with STEMI.