ACC/AHA/SCAI 2005 Guideline Update for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention—Summary Article

Temporal trends in percutaneous coronary intervention in Australia: A retrospective analysis from 2000-2021

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the trend in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with insertion of a stent in Australia from 2000/01 to 2020/21 and investigate trends in same-day versus non-same-day discharge following PCI. A secondary aim was to compare the rate of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with PCI procedures, while a third aim was to compare marked PCI trend changes with the PCI guidelines during the study period.

BACKGROUND

PCI with stent deployment is the most common form of interventional treatment for coronary artery disease, and its use has been expanding since 2000. However, there is a lack of descriptive studies of the national trend in Australia.

METHODS

All procedures for PCI and CABG were extracted across 21 years (2000/01 to 2020/21) from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data. Age-standardized rates were calculated using the Australian standard population as of June 2001. The ratio of PCI to CABG procedures was also calculated. Trends for PCI were stratified by age, gender, and same-day or overnight discharge episodes. Linear regression analysis was done to compare the age-standardized rates across different age categories. Segmented regression analysis was performed to ascertain the change in the age-standardized rates of PCI during the study period. Whether the changepoints in the trend were matched with guideline updates was also assessed.

RESULTS

There were 751 728 PCI procedures in persons aged 30 years and above between 2000/01 and 2020/21. The age-standardized rate for the study period showed that persons aged 60-74 years had a higher rate of procedures (102.7) compared to persons aged 30-59 years (81.3) and 75 years and older (61.8) (P < 0.001). There were two statistically significant changepoints in the overall trend; 2005/06 and 2013/14, matched with the change in PCI guidelines. Despite the lower number of procedures for same-day discharge episodes, there has been an increasing trend since 2014/15. More than two-thirds of all stenting procedures were the insertion of a single stent. PCI to CABG procedure ratio increased from 0.6 in 2000/01 to 1.8 in 2020/21.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a varying trend in the age-standardized rate of PCI with a peak in 2005/06. The trend appears to be stabilizing in the later part of the study period, but the rate for same-day discharge episodes showed an increasing trend after 2014/15. There is consistency with changepoints in the trend and updated PCI guideline recommendations. The ratio of PCI with insertion of a stent to CABG procedure increased substantially across the study period.

Prognostically relevant periprocedural myocardial injury and infarction associated with percutaneous coronary interventions: a Consensus Document of the ESC Working Group on Cellular Biology of the Heart and European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI)

A substantial number of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) experience periprocedural myocardial injury or infarction. Accurate diagnosis of these PCI-related complications is required to guide further management given that their occurrence may be associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Due to lack of scientific data, the cut-off thresholds of post-PCI cardiac troponin (cTn) elevation used for defining periprocedural myocardial injury and infarction, have been selected based on expert consensus opinions, and their prognostic relevance remains unclear. In this Consensus Document from the ESC Working Group on Cellular Biology of the Heart and European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), we recommend, whenever possible, the measurement of baseline (pre-PCI) cTn and post-PCI cTn values in all CCS patients undergoing PCI. We confirm the prognostic relevance of the post-PCI cTn elevation >5× 99th percentile URL threshold used to define type 4a myocardial infarction (MI). In the absence of periprocedural angiographic flow-limiting complications or electrocardiogram (ECG) and imaging evidence of new myocardial ischaemia, we propose the same post-PCI cTn cut-off threshold (>5× 99th percentile URL) be used to define prognostically relevant ‘major’ periprocedural myocardial injury. As both type 4a MI and major periprocedural myocardial injury are strong independent predictors of all-cause mortality at 1 year post-PCI, they may be used as quality metrics and surrogate endpoints for clinical trials. Further research is needed to evaluate treatment strategies for reducing the risk of major periprocedural myocardial injury, type 4a MI, and MACE in CCS patients undergoing PCI.

Feasibility and safety of the new coronary noncompliant balloon catheter River NC®

Aim: In this preliminary study, we aimed to confirm the clinical utility and safety of the new noncompliant balloon catheter River NC (Balton, Poland). Materials & methods: The primary study endpoint was to verify balloon diameters calculated in quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) to diameters prespecified by the manufacturer and obtained at given pressures in subjects undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. Results: Forty-two subjects were enrolled (73.8% multivessel disease; 40.5% type B1 lesions; 100% device success). No clinically significant differences between expected balloon diameters and QCA were registered in predilatation (2.36 ± 0.11 mm vs. 2.43 ± 0.07 mm) and postdilatation (3.18 ± 0.19 mm vs. 3.21 ± 0.31 mm). Conclusions: Our study results suggest that the River NC balloon is effective and safe. In the QCA evaluation, River NC balloon obtained prespecified diameters and lengths at applied pressures. Study registration: Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products (UR.D.WM.DNB.109.2019).

Physical exertion as a trigger of acute coronary syndrome caused by plaque erosion

Distinct clinical characteristics have been demonstrated in patients with plaque erosion as compared with those with plaque rupture. We reasoned that greater physical activity might influence the onset of plaque erosion. In total, 97 consecutive patients with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the culprit lesion were enrolled. OCT-determined culprit plaque characteristics were plaque erosion (18.6%), calcified plaque (26.8%), plaque rupture (32.0%) and other (22.7%). The physical activity evaluated by estimated metabolic equivalents (METs) at ACS onset was significantly greater in the plaque erosion group than in the plaque rupture group (3.3 ± 1.7 vs. 2.1 ± 1.0, p = 0.011). The rate of ACS onset outdoors was the highest (61.1%) in the plaque erosion group. The combination of greater physical activity (> 3 METs), outdoor onset and higher body mass index (> 25.1 kg/m²) had a significant odds ratio for the incidence of plaque erosion (odds ratio 15.0, 95% confidence interval 3.81 to 59.0, p < 0.001). Plaque erosion was associated with greater physical activity at the onset. This finding may help to further clarify the pathogenesis of ACS Impact of physical exertion on the incidence of plaque erosion. NSTE-ACS, non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Antithrombotic management of patients with acute coronary syndrome and atrial fibrillation undergoing coronary stenting: a prospective, observational, nationwide study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess current management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing coronary stenting.

DESIGN

Non-interventional, prospective, nationwide study.

SETTING

76 private or public cardiology centres in Italy.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with ACS with concomitant AF undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

To obtain accurate and up-to-date information on pharmacological management of patients with AF admitted for an ACS and undergoing PCI with stent implantation.

RESULTS

Over a 12-month period, 598 consecutive patients were enrolled: 48.8% with AF at hospital admission and 51.2% developing AF during hospitalisation. At discharge, a triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) was prescribed in 64.8%, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in 25.7% and dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT) in 8.8% of patients. Among patients with AF at admission, TAT and DAT were more frequently prescribed compared with patients with new-onset AF (76.3% vs 53.8% and 12.5% vs 5.3%, respectively; both p<0.0001), while a DAPT was less often used (11.2% vs 39.5%; p<0.0001). At multivariable analysis, a major bleeding event (OR: 5.40; 95% CI: 2.42 to 12.05; p<0.0001) and malignancy (OR: 5.11; 95% CI: 1.77 to 14.78; p=0.003) resulted the most important independent predictors of DAT prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

In this contemporary registry of patients with ACS with AF treated with coronary stents, TAT still resulted as the antithrombotic strategy of choice, DAT was reserved for high bleeding risk and DAPT was mainly prescribed in those developing AF during hospitalisation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03656523.

Trends of prescribing adherence of antiplatelet agents in Hong Kong patients with acute coronary syndrome: a 10-year retrospective observational cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to examine the temporal trend of antiplatelet prescribing pattern during index hospitalisation discharge in Hong Kong (HK) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) population.

DESIGN

The study is a retrospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

The study retrieved data from electronic health record from Hospital Authority (HA), HK.

PARTICIPANTS

The study included patients aged 18 years old or above, who were admitted to seven institutions under HA with diagnosis of ACS during 2008-2017.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the frequency of antiplatelet therapy prescription at the point of index hospitalisation discharge each year during 2008-2017. Association between demographics, baseline comorbidities, procedures and antiplatelet prescription were examined as secondary outcome using multivariate logistic regression model, with commonly used antiplatelet groups selected for comparison.

RESULTS

Among the included 14 716 patients, 5888 (40.0%) discharged with aspirin alone, 6888 (46.8%) discharged with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel, and 973 (6.6%) discharged with DAPT with prasugrel/ticagrelor. Prescribing rate of aspirin alone decreased substantially from 56.8% in 2008 to 27.5% in 2017. Utilisation of DAPT with clopidogrel increased from 33.7% in 2008 to 52.7% in 2017. Use of DAPT with prasugrel/ticagrelor increased from 0.3% in 2010 to 15.3% in 2017. Compared with those prescribed with DAPT with clopidogrel, male patients (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.34, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.65), patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (aOR 2.50, 1.98 to 3.16) or ST-elevation myocardial infarction (aOR 3.26, 2.59 to 4.09), use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (aOR 3.03, 2.48 to 3.68) or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (aOR 3.85, 3.24 to 4.58) or coronary artery bypass graft (aOR 6.52, 4.63 to 9.18) during index hospitalisation, concurrent use of histamine-2 receptor antagonists (aOR 1.35, 1.10 to 1.65) or proton pump inhibitors (aOR 3.57, 2.93 to 4.36) during index hospitalisation discharge were more likely to be prescribed with DAPT with prasugrel/ticagrelor. Patients with older age (aOR 0.97, 0.96 to 0.97), diabetes (aOR 0.68, 0.52 to 0.88), chronic kidney disease (aOR 0.43, 0.22 to 0.85) or concurrent use of oral anticoagulant (aOR 0.16, 0.07 to 0.42) were more likely to received DAPT with clopidogrel.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of DAPT with prasugrel/ticagrelor was suboptimal yet improving during 2008-2017 in HK patients with ACS. Considering DAPT, predictors for clopidogrel prescription, compared with prasugrel/ticagrelor, were consistent with identified risk factors of bleeding.

The Effect of an Empowerment Program on the Perceived Risk and Physical Health of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

This study was conducted to assess the effect of an empowerment program on the perceived risk and physical health of patients with coronary artery disease. This randomized clinical trial recruited 84 patients with coronary artery disease admitted to post-cardiac care unit (CCU) wards in Tehran Heart Center in 2017. The study subjects were selected and assessed according to inclusion criteria and assigned to intervention and control groups by block randomization. Both groups completed questionnaires for demographic details and disease history, perceived risk in cardiac patients, and physical health. The Magic Empowerment Program was performed for the intervention group as 3 workshops on 3 successive days. Intervention continued after patients' discharge from the hospital through phone calls once a week for 8 weeks. The perceived risk in cardiac patients and physical health questionnaires were completed for both groups. Postintervention results showed significant differences between the 2 groups in total score of perceived risk (P = .001) and its subscales. The Empowerment Program changed patients' attitudes toward risk-motivating behavior change and improving physical health.

Development, Reporting, and Evaluation of Clinical Practice Guidelines

Clinical practice parameters have been published with greater frequency by professional societies and groups of experts. These publications run the gamut of practice standards, practice guidelines, consensus statements or practice advisories, position statements, and practice alerts. The definitions of these terms have been clarified in an accompanying article. In this article, we present the criteria for high-quality clinical practice parameters and outline a process for developing them, specifically the Delphi method, which is increasingly being used to build consensus among content experts and stakeholders. Several tools for grading the level of evidence and strength of recommendation are offered and compared. The speciousness of categorizing guidelines as evidence-based or consensus-based will be explained. We examine the recommended checklist for reporting and appraise the tools for evaluating a practice guideline. This article is geared toward developers and reviewers of clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements.

Are We Optimizing the Use of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients Hospitalized with Acute Myocardial Infarction?

BACKGROUND

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is a mainstay treatment for hospital survivors of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, there are limited data on the prescribing patterns of DAPT among patients hospitalized with AMI during recent years.

OBJECTIVE

To examine decade-long trends (2001-2011) in the use of DAPT versus antiplatelet monotherapy and patient characteristics associated with DAPT use.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 2389 adults hospitalized with an initial AMI at all 11 central Massachusetts medical centers on a biennial basis between 2001 and 2011. DAPT was defined as the discharge use of aspirin plus either clopidogrel or prasugrel. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify patient characteristics associated with DAPT use.

RESULTS

The average age of the study population was 65 years, and 69% of patients were discharged on DAPT. The use of DAPT at the time of hospital discharge increased from 49% in 2001 to 74% in 2011; this increasing trend was seen across all age groups, both sexes, types of AMI, and in those who underwent a PCI. After multivariable adjustment, patients 65-74 years old (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36-0.80) and those who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (aOR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.07-0.18) were less likely to have received DAPT, while men (aOR = 14.60, 95% CI: 10.66-19.98) and those who underwent cardiac catheterization and stenting (aOR = 14.60, 95% CI: 10.66-19.98) were significantly more likely to have received DAPT at discharge than respective comparison groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Between 2001 and 2011, the use of DAPT increased markedly among patients hospitalized with AMI. However, a significant proportion of patients were not discharged on this therapy. Greater awareness is needed to incorporate DAPT into the management of patients hospitalized with AMI.

Platelet Aggregability as a Predictor of Restenosis Following Carotid Endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

Antiplatelet drugs are administered before and after carotid endarterectomies (CEAs), but their efficacy for preventing restenosis remains unclear. Hence, this study aimed to identify associations between postoperative restenosis and platelet aggregability in CEA patients.

METHODS

Thirty-six consecutive CEA patients treated at Tokyo Women's Medical University from May 2013 to March 2015 were included in this retrospective study. Restenosis was defined as a stenosis ratio greater than or equal to 50% per the European Carotid Surgery Trial criteria or peak systolic velocity of 150 cm/s on carotid ultrasound. Platelet aggregability was measured turbidimetrically using a light-transmission platelet aggregometer and analyzed in terms of aggregation profiles for 2 concentrations of collagen used to induce aggregation (.25 and 2.0 μg/mL). Patients were automatically divided into 9 classes (Class 1-9, from the lowest to the highest aggregability) using a software program according to area under their platelet aggregation curves. Each class was subdivided into 10 further gradations for a total of 90 possible scores (10-99) using a software program. Patients were divided into high- and low-platelet aggregability score groups (cut-off = 49).

RESULTS

Data were analyzed for 36 of the 99 patients. Restenosis was observed in 10 (28%) patients. Restenosis incidence was significantly higher in patients with high-platelet aggregability score than in those with low-platelet aggregability score (50.0% [7/14] versus 13.6% [3 of 22]: P = .0176, odds ratio = 6.34, 95% CI: 1.27-31.57).

CONCLUSIONS

Platelet aggregability is a useful metric for predicting and preventing restenosis after CEA. It has potential as an indicator for determining the optimal dose of antiplatelet drugs.

Percutaneous left ventricular assist device vs . intra‐aortic balloon pump in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing cardiovascular intervention: A meta‐analysis

Objective

Although controversial, the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and percutaneous left ventricular assist device (PLVAD) are widely used for initial hemodynamic stabilization. We performed a meta-analysis to compare the clinical outcomes of these two devices in patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials, and reference lists of relevant articles were searched. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective observational studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model.

Results

The quantitative analysis included 4 RCTs and 2 observational studies. A total of 348 patients received PLVAD and 340 received IABP. Meta-analysis revealed that early mortality rates (in-hospital or 30-day) did not differ between the PLVAD and IABP groups (relative risk (RR) = 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.70–1.51, P = 0.89). Significant differences were observed between the two groups in the composite, in-hospital, non-major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) rate (RR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.01–1.68, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Compared with IABP, PLVAD with active circulatory support did not improve early survival in those with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing either PCI or VT ablation, but increased the in-hospital non-MACCE rate.

Contemporary use of intra-aortic balloon pumps during percutaneous coronary intervention: insights from the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking program

BACKGROUND

Intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP) support nonemergent and emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent studies have not showed a routine benefit to this practice. We sought to evaluate the temporal trends in balloon pump utilization and site-level variation within a large integrated healthcare system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We identified all patients that underwent PCI in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2015. Procedural information was ascertained from the medical record and stratified by the concomitant use of an IABP. Site-specific variation was determined with mixed logistic regression models and reported as a median odds ratio.

RESULTS

There were 88 851 interventions performed on 71 529 patients across 71 hospitals with 1289 (1.5%) of these utilizing an IABP. Patients that underwent an intervention with this device had more medical comorbidities, as reflected by an increase in the median National Cardiovascular Data Registry CathPCI mortality score (34 vs. 15, P<0.001). The overall utilization of balloon pumps was constant throughout the study period (P=0.446). However, there was a significant decline (P=0.027) in its use during emergent cases with a significant increase (P=0.009) during nonemergent cases. Furthermore, there was site variation in use independent of patient or procedural characteristics (median odds ratio: 1.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.58-2.16).

CONCLUSION

In the largest integrated healthcare system in the USA, there was a significant decline in IABP use among emergent cases and a significant increase during nonemergent cases. Residual site variation suggests an opportunity to standardize a procedural approach consistent with currently available data.

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery and Percutaneous Coronary Interventions in Patients With Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate long-term clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with unprotected left main disease (ULMD).

BACKGROUND

PCI has been increasingly used as an alternative mode of revascularization for ULMD. However, there are limited data comparing clinical outcomes between CABG surgery and PCI.

METHODS

Between 2004 and 2010, 4,046 consecutive patients with ULMD were treated with either CABG surgery (n = 2,604) or PCI (n = 1,442) with drug-eluting stents. The primary outcome was 3-year all-cause mortality and the secondary outcome was the composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke.

RESULTS

The unadjusted 3-year all-cause mortality was higher in the PCI group as compared with the CABG group (3.8% vs. 2.5%; log-rank p = 0.03), although there was no significant difference in the composite outcome (7.5% vs. 9.4%; log-rank p = 0.07). After adjustment for differences in baseline risk factors, PCI was associated with significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32 to 2.21; p < 0.001) but similar risk of the composite outcome (HR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.09; p = 0.43). These differences were not statistically significant among patients with low or intermediate SYNTAX (Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) score (≤32) or diabetes; however, PCI was associated with an increased risk among those with high SYNTAX score (>32), with HRs of 3.10 (95% CI: 1.84 to 5.22; p < 0.001) for all-cause mortality and 1.82 (95% CI: 1.36 to 2.45; p < 0.001) for the composite outcome. CABG was associated with lower risk of repeat revascularization but higher risk of stroke in each clinically relevant subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

In this single-center observational study among patients with ULMD, CABG was associated with improved long-term outcomes, especially in patients with more complex disease.

A clinical evaluation of the XIENCE V everolimus eluting stent in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease: Result from Thailand Registry - XIENCE V performance evaluation (THRIVE study)

Objective

To evaluate the 2-year clinical outcomes of XIENCE^TM V everolimus eluting stent (EES) for the treatment of coronary artery disease.

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention with a drug eluting stent has become the preferred treatment in patients with coronary artery disease. Everolimus eluting stent had proven efficacy in randomized control trials but those trials may not represent daily practice of interventional cardiology.

Methods

The THRIVE study was a prospective, multicenter, real-world, single-arm registry. Included in the registry were 400 patients in Thailand with coronary artery disease suitable for treatment with the XIENCE^TM V.

Results

At 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years, the respective rate of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 0.7, 1.0, and 0.5 %. 2.1, 2.1, and 1.0 %, and 2.2, 3.0, and 2.1 %. The cumulative rate for stent thrombosis was 1.6 % at 2 years.

Conclusions

The THRIVE study demonstrated that use of EES yielded a rate for 2 years of major adverse cardiac events comparable to the randomized controlled trial of EES in the SPIRIT trials. This result supports the efficacy and safety of XIENCE^TM V everolimus eluting for daily interventional cardiology practice.

Stress Perfusion CMR in Patients With Known and Suspected CAD: Prognostic Value and Optimal Ischemic Threshold for Revascularization

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the ischemia threshold and additional prognostic factors that identify patients for safe deferral from revascularizations in a large cohort of all-comer patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

BACKGROUND

Stress-perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is increasingly used in daily practice for ischemia detection. However, there is insufficient evidence about the ischemia burden that identifies patients who benefit from revascularization versus those with a good prognosis who receive drugs only.

METHODS

All patients with known or suspected CAD referred to stress-perfusion CMR for myocardial ischemia assessment were prospectively enrolled. The CMR examination included standard functional adenosine stress first-pass perfusion (gadobutrol 0.1 mmol/kg Gadovist, Bayer AG, Zurich, Switzerland) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) acquisitions. Presence of ischemia and ischemia burden (number of ischemic segments on a 16-segment model), and of scar and scar burden (number and transmurality of scar segments in a 17-segment model) were assessed. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and late coronary revascularization (>90 days post-CMR); the secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiac death and nonfatal MI.

RESULTS

During a follow-up of 2.5 ± 1.0 years, 86 and 32 of 1,024 patients (1,103 screened patients) experienced the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. On Kaplan-Meier curves for the primary and secondary endpoints, patients without ischemia had excellent outcomes that did not differ from patients with <1.5 ischemic segments. In multivariate Cox regression analyses of the entire population and of the subgroups, ischemia burden (threshold: ≥1.5 ischemic segments) was consistently the strongest predictor of the primary and secondary endpoints with hazard ratios (HRs) of 7.42 to 8.72 (p < 0.001), whereas age (≥67 years), left ventricular ejection fraction (≤40%), and scar burden (LGE score ≥0.03) contributed significantly, but to a lesser extent, in all models with HRs of 2.01 to 3.48, 1.75 to 1.96, and 1.66 to 1.76, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large all-comer patient cohort with known and suspected CAD, an ischemia burden of ≥1.5 ischemic segments on stress-perfusion CMR was the strongest predictor of the primary and secondary endpoints. Patients with zero or 1 ischemic segment can be safely deferred from revascularizations.

Infarct related artery only versus complete revascularization in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and multi vessel disease: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association (ACCF/AHA) focused update on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) only gives a class II b (weak) indication for non-infarct artery intervention at the time of primary PCI. Recent randomized controlled trials, however, suggest strong evidence supporting complete revascularization.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane central register for randomized controlled trials comparing complete versus infarct artery (IRA) only revascularization in patients with STEMI. A meta-analysis was performed using the data extracted from each study. Summary risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for five outcomes.

RESULTS

Six trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria yielding 1,792 patients. Follow up ranged from 6 months to 2.5 years. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was significantly lower in the complete revascularization group compared to the IRA only revascularization (13.8% vs. 25.1%, RR =0.51; 95% CI: 0.41-0.64, P<0.00001). It was attributed to significantly lower repeat revascularization rate in the complete revascularization group (8.2% vs. 18.9%, RR =0.41; 95% CI: 0.31-0.54, P<0.00001). This meta-analysis also showed a significant reduction in cardiovascular mortality (2.0% vs. 4.6%, RR =0.42; 95% CI: 0.24-0.74; P=0.003), non-fatal myocardial infarction (4.37% vs. 5.76%, RR =0.64; 95% CI: 0.34-1.20; P=0.16) and all-cause mortality rates [(4.6% vs. 6%), RR =0.75; 95% CI: 0.49-1.14, P=0.17] in the complete revascularization group, compared to the IRA revascularization group.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients who present with STEMI, complete revascularization is associated with lower rates of MACE and cardiovascular deaths as compared to revascularization of the IRA alone. Even though the outcomes of all-cause mortality and nonfatal re-infarction rates were lower in the complete revascularization group, they were not significant.

Comparative Study between Perfusion Changes and Positive Findings on Coronary Flow Reserve

BACKGROUND

Functional assessment of coronary artery obstruction is used in cardiology practice to correlate anatomic obstructions with flow decrease. Among such assessments, the study of the coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) has become the most widely used.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the correlation between FFR and findings of ischemia obtained by noninvasive methods including stress echocardiography and nuclear medicine and the presence of critical coronary artery obstruction.

METHODS

Retrospective study of cases treated with systematized and standardized procedures for coronary disease between March 2011 and August 2014. We included 96 patients with 107 critical coronary obstructions (> 50% in the coronary trunk and/or ≥ 70% in other segments) estimated by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS). All cases presented ischemia in one of the noninvasive studies.

RESULTS

All 96 patients presented ischemia (100%) in one of the functional tests. On FFR study with adenosine 140 g/kg/min, 52% of the cases had values ≤ 0.80. On correlation analysis for FFR ≤ 0.80, the evaluation of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and ROC curve in relation to the stenosis degree and length, and presence of ischemia, no significant values or strong correlation were observed.

CONCLUSION

Coronary FFR using a cut-off value of 0.80 showed no correlation with noninvasive ischemia tests in patients with severe coronary artery obstructions on QCA and ICUS.

Readmission after inpatient percutaneous coronary intervention in the Medicare population from 2000 to 2012

BACKGROUND

Since year 2000, reducing hospital readmissions has become a public health priority. In addition, there have been major changes in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during this period.

METHODS

The cohort consisted of 3,250,194 patients admitted for PCI from January 2000 through November 2012.

RESULTS

Overall, 30-day readmission was 15.8%. Readmission rates declined from 16.1% in 2000 to 15.4% in 2012 (adjusted odds ratio for readmission 1.33 in 2000 compared with 2012). Of all readmissions after PCI, the majority were for cardiovascular-related conditions (>60%); however, only a small percentage (<8%) of total readmissions were for acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or cardiac arrest/cardiogenic shock. A much larger percentage of patients were readmitted with chest pain/angina (7.9%), chronic ischemic heart disease (26.6%), and heart failure (12%). A small proportion was due to procedural complications and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The use of PCI with stenting during readmissions was variable, increasing from 14.2% in 2000 to 23.7% in 2006 and then declining to 12.1% in 2012. Hospital mortality during readmission was 2.5% overall and varied over time (2.8% in 2000, decreasing to 2.2% in 2006 and then rising again to 3.1% in 2012). Patients who were readmitted had >4× higher 30-day mortality than those who were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Among Medicare beneficiaries, readmission after PCI declined over time despite patients having more comorbidities. This translated into a 33% lower likelihood of readmission in 2012 compared with 2000. A small proportion of readmissions were for acute coronary syndromes.

"DK Crush" Technique for a Tightly Stenosed Conjoined SVG Lesion in a Patient with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Cardiogenic Shock

Coronary artery bifurcation disease of saphenous venous graft (SVG) is extremely rare. SVG disease remains a challenging lesion to treat because of increased morbidity and mortality with repeated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), high rates of periprocedural complications, and in-stent restenosis or occlusion requiring repeat revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention. Herein, we present the first reported case of using the "DK crush" technique to treat an inverted Y-shaped SVG bifurcation disease in a patient with a prior CABG and new-onset acute coronary syndrome. Arising from our treatment, favorable immediate and mid-term angiographic and clinical outcomes were obtained.

KEY WORDS

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG); "DK crush" technique; Saphenous venous graft (SVG).

Adherence to antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention: a population study in a region of Italy

AIMS

We evaluated adherence to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients in the Lazio region of Italy and the impact of discharge ward type on therapy discontinuation.

METHODS

From the Hospital Information System, we selected patients who underwent PCI from 2006 to 2007 and obtained Regional Drug Dispense Registry data for antiplatelet drugs prescribed for 12 months after discharge. Appropriate therapy was defined as DAPT with prescribed daily doses for each drug covering at least 75% of each individual follow-up period. The association between discharge ward type and antiplatelet therapy adherence at 12 months post discharge was estimated using multilevel logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 11 186 patients with PCI were included, and fewer than half (4984; 44.56%) were on adequate DAPT. Only 2930 of 5390 patients (54.36%) with DAPT in the first 6 months post discharge continued DAPT in the second 6 months. Patients discharged from cardiology units or intensive coronary care units were more likely (odds ratio = 1.26; P = 0.003) to receive appropriate antiplatelet therapy, and elderly patients were less likely (odds ratio = 0.65; P < 0.001) to do so.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of PCI patients receiving appropriate DAPT after discharge is suboptimal in this region, and elderly patients are less likely to receive appropriate therapy. These findings could be important for improving patient management and ensuring adherence to clinical guidelines and indicate the need for a systematic evaluation of the appropriateness of postdischarge therapy.

Preliminary Report on the Safety and Efficacy of Staged versus Complete Revascularization in Patients with Multivessel Disease at the Time of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

This study aims to determine the safety and efficacy of complete versus staged-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of nonculprit lesions at the time of primary PCI in patients with multivessel disease. Recent trials had suggested that revascularization of nonculprit lesions at the time of primary PCI is associated with better outcomes, however; the optimum timing and overall safety of this approach is not well known. An observational prospective study was conducted, including 50 patients who presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and found to have at least an additional nonculprit significant (> 70%) type A or B lesion. According to the operator's discretion, patients either underwent complete revascularization of nonculprit significant lesions during primary PCI procedure or within 60 days of primary PCI (staged-PCI). Safety outcomes evaluated were contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), the amount of contrast used, and fluoroscopy time. Efficacy outcome assessed was major adverse events (MACE) at 1 year. The fluoroscopy time and amount of contrast used were increased in complete revascularization group (35.3 ± 9.6 vs. 26.3 ± 6.7 minutes, p  < 0.001, and 219.5 ± 35.1 vs. 187.5 ± 45.5 mL, p  = 0.01, respectively); while incidence of CIN remained similar ( p  = 0.73). The incidence of MACE at 1 year was similar in both groups (23% in the complete revascularization group vs. 25% in the staged-PCI group, p  = 0.43). Complete revascularization and staged-PCI of nonculprit type A or B lesions at the time of primary PCI were associated with similar long-term outcomes and safety profile. Larger studies are needed to further validate these results.

Evolution of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Clinical Guidelines

BACKGROUND

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have been developing clinical guidelines to assist practicing clinicians.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in ACC/AHA guideline recommendations between 2008 and 2014.

METHODS

The previous and current ACC/AHA guideline documents that were updated between 2008 and June 2014 were compared to determine changes in Class of Recommendation (COR) and Level of Evidence (LOE). Each recommendation was classified as new, dropped, revised, or unchanged, and the changes in evidence were examined.

RESULTS

During the study period, 11 guideline documents (9 disease based and 2 interventional procedure based) were updated. The total number of recommendations decreased from 2,067 to 1,869 (321 fewer recommendations in disease-based guidelines and 123 additional recommendations in interventional procedure-based guidelines). The recommendation class distribution of the updated guidelines was 50.1% Class I (previously 50.8%), 39.4% Class II (previously 35.4%), and 10.4% Class III (previously 13.8%) (p = 0.001). The LOE distribution among updated versions was 15.0% for LOE: A (previously 13.3%), 50.8% for LOE: B (previously 41.4%), and 34.2% for LOE C (previously 45.3%) (p < 0.001). Among all guidelines, 859 recommendations were new, 1,339 were dropped, 881 were unchanged in COR and LOE, and 129 were revised. Of the revised guidelines, 75 recommendations had an increase in LOE (the majority from LOE: C to LOE: B); 34 recommendations had a decrease in LOE; and 20 recommendations had class changes. LOE increases were justified by introduction of new randomized controlled trials, new studies, and new meta-analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The ACC/AHA guideline recommendations are undergoing significant changes, becoming more evidence based and scientifically robust with a tendency to exclude recommendations with insufficient scientific evidence.

Angiographic Lesion Complexity Score and In-Hospital Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVE

We devised a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) scoring system based on angiographic lesion complexity and assessed its association with in-hospital complications.

BACKGROUND

Although PCI is finding increasing application in patients with coronary artery disease, lesion complexity can lead to in-hospital complications.

METHODS

Data from 3692 PCI patients were scored based on lesion complexity, defined by bifurcation, chronic total occlusion, type C, and left main lesion, along with acute thrombus in the presence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (1 point assigned for each variable).

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was 67.5 +/- 10.8 years; 79.8% were male. About half of the patients (50.3%) presented with an acute coronary syndrome, and 2218 (60.1%) underwent PCI for at least one complex lesion. The patients in the higher-risk score groups were older (p < 0.001) and had present or previous heart failure (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Higher-risk score groups had significantly higher in-hospital event rates for death, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock (from 0 to 4 risk score; 1.7%, 4.5%, 6.3%, 7.1%, 40%, p < 0.001); bleeding with a hemoglobin decrease of >3.0 g/dL (3.1%, 11.0%, 13.1%, 10.3%, 28.6%, p < 0.001); and postoperative myocardial infarction (1.5%, 3.1%, 3.8%, 3.8%, 10%, p = 0.004), respectively. The association with adverse outcomes persisted after adjustment for known clinical predictors (odds ratio 1.72, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The complexity score was cumulatively associated with in-hospital mortality and complication rate and could be used for event prediction in PCI patients.

Preoperative evaluation and preparation of patients for orthopedic surgery

Orthopedic patients frequently have multiple comorbidities when they present for surgery. This article discusses risk stratification of this population and the preoperative work-up for patients with specific underlying conditions who often require orthopedic procedures. Preoperative strategies to decrease exposure to allogeneic blood and advantages of the Perioperative Surgical Home model in this unique population are discussed.

Triple therapy for atrial fibrillation and percutaneous coronary intervention: a contemporary review

Chronic oral anticoagulant therapy is recommended (class I) in patients with mechanical heart valves and in patients with atrial fibrillation with a CHA2DS2-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥75 years, Diabetes mellitus, prior Stroke or transient ischemic attack or thromboembolism, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category) score ≥1. When these patients undergo percutaneous coronary intervention with stenting, treatment with aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor also becomes indicated. Before 2014, guidelines recommended the use of triple therapy (vitamin K antagonists, aspirin, and clopidogrel) for these patients. However, major bleeding is increasingly recognized as the Achilles' heel of the triple therapy regimen. Lately, various studies have investigated this topic, including a prospective randomized trial, and the evidence for adding aspirin to the regimen of vitamin K antagonists and clopidogrel seems to be weakened. In this group of patients, the challenge is finding the optimal equilibrium to prevent thromboembolic events, such as stent thrombosis and thromboembolic stroke, without increasing bleeding risk.

Sequential analysis of myeloperoxidase for prediction of adverse events after suspected acute coronary ischemia

BACKGROUND

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) plasma values predict major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in cases of acute coronary syndrome. The effect of serial testing in patients who are suspected for acute coronary ischemia is unclear.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize that sequential MPO measurement may improve prediction of MACE in patients with suspected acute coronary ischemia.

METHODS

The present prospective observational study examined the prognostic significance of MPO in 917 patients with suspicion of acute coronary syndrome. Blood samples were taken at cardiac catheter laboratory admission and the day after coronary angiography. We recorded patients' mortality, the occurrence of cardiac ischemia, and repeated percutaneous coronary intervention through the next 6 months.

RESULTS

Mortality among patients with increased MPO plasma levels the day after coronary angiography was increased significantly (P < 0.01). Patients with MPO values above 306.3 pmol/L had a significantly higher incidence of 6-month MACE (P < 0.0001) than patients with lower plasma values. Cox proportional hazards multivariate regression analyses revealed that MPO was an independent marker for MACE after suspected acute coronary ischemia (P = 0.048). However, MPO plasma levels at cardiac catheter laboratory admission showed no prognostic significance.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with suspected myocardial infarction, MPO levels above 306.3 pmol/L measured 24 hours after onset of symptoms were independent predictors of 6-month mortality and MACE.

Timing and nature of in-house postoperative events following uncomplicated elective endovascular aneurysm treatment

Object

Most patients with asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms treated with endovascular methods are closely observed overnight in an intensive care unit setting for complications, including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, cardiac dysfunction, and groin access complications. The purpose of this study was to analyze the timing, nature, and rate of in-house postoperative events.

Methods

Patients who underwent endovascular treatment or retreatment of unruptured cerebral aneurysms from March 2002 to June 2012 were identified from a prospective case log and their medical records were reviewed. The presentation, patient characteristics, aneurysm size and location, and method of endovascular treatment of each cerebral aneurysm were recorded. Patients with adverse intraprocedural events including perforation and thromboembolism were excluded from this analysis. Overnight postprocedural monitoring was performed in a neurological intensive care unit or postanesthesia care unit for all patients, with discharge planned for postoperative Day 1. Postprocedural events occurring during hospitalization were categorized as intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, groin hematoma resulting in additional treatment or prolonged hospital stay, retroperitoneal hematoma, and cardiac events. The time from the completion of the procedure to event discovery was recorded.

Results

A total of 687 endovascular treatments of unruptured cerebral aneurysms were performed. Nine treatments were excluded from our analysis due to intraprocedural events. Endovascular procedures included coiling alone, stent-assisted coiling, balloon-assisted coiling, balloon-assisted embolization with a liquid embolic agent, and placement of a flow diversion device with or without coiling. Twenty-seven treatments (4.0%) resulted in postprocedural complications: 3 intracranial hemorrhages, 6 ischemic strokes, 4 cardiac events, 5 retroperitoneal hematomas, and 9 groin hematomas. The majority (20 [74.0%]) of these 27 complications were detected within 4 hours from the procedure. These included 1 hemorrhage, 4 ischemic strokes, 4 cardiac events, 2 retroperitoneal hematomas, and 9 groin hematomas. All cardiac events and groin hematomas were detected within 4 hours. Four (14%) of the 27 complications were detected between 4 and 12 hours, 1 (3.7%) between 12 and 24 hours, and 2 (7.4%) more than 24 hours after the procedure. The complications detected more than 4 hours from the conclusion of the procedure included 2 minor intracranial hemorrhages causing headache and resulting in no permanent deficits, 2 mild ischemic strokes, and 3 asymptomatic retroperitoneal hematomas identified by falling hematocrit levels that required no further intervention or treatment.

Conclusions

The large majority of significant postprocedural events after uncomplicated endovascular aneurysm intervention occur within the first 4 hours; these events become less frequent with increasing time. Transfer to a floor bed after 4–12 hours for further observation is reasonable to consider in some patients.

Drug-eluting stents in unprotected left main coronary artery disease

Though coronary bypass graft surgery (CABG) has traditionally been the cornerstone of therapy in patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease, recent evidence supports the use of percutaneous coronary intervention in appropriate patients. Indeed in patients with ULMCA disease, drug-eluting stents (DES) have shown similar incidence of hard end points, fewer periprocedural complications and lower stroke rates compared with CABG, though at the cost of increased revascularization with time. Furthermore, the availability of newer efficacious and safer DES as well as improvements in diagnostic tools, percutaneous techniques and, importantly, a better patient selection, allowed percutaneous coronary intervention a viable alternative to CABG of left main-patients with low disease complexity; however, even in this interventional era characterized by efficacious DES, patients with ULMCA disease remain a challenging high-risk population where outcomes strongly depend on clinical characteristics, anatomical disease complexity and extension and operator's experience. This review summarizes the role of DES in ULMCA disease patients.

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness correlates with the presence and severity of angiographic coronary artery disease in stable patients with chest pain

Objective

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is suggested to correlate with metabolic risk factors and to promote plaque development in the coronary arteries. We sought to determine whether EAT thickness was associated or not with the presence and extent of angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

We measured epicardial fat thickness by computed tomography and assessed the presence and extent of CAD by coronary angiography in participants from the prospective EVASCAN study. The association of EAT thickness with cardiovascular risk factors, coronary artery calcification scoring and angiographic CAD was assessed using multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Of 970 patients (age 60.9 years, 71% male), 75% (n = 731) had CAD. Patients with angiographic CAD had thicker EAT on the left ventricle lateral wall when compared with patients without CAD (2.74±2.4 mm vs. 2.08±2.1 mm; p = 0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for a patient with a LVLW EAT value ≥2.8 mm to have CAD was OR = 1.46 [1.03–2.08], p = 0.0326 after adjusting for risk factors. EAT also correlated with the number of diseased vessels (p = 0.0001 for trend). By receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, an EAT value ≥2.8 mm best predicted the presence of>50% diameter coronary artery stenosis, with a sensitivity and specificity of 46.1% and 66.5% respectively (AUC:0.58). Coronary artery calcium scoring had an AUC of 0.76.

Conclusion

Although left ventricle lateral wall EAT thickness correlated with the presence and extent of angiographic CAD, it has a low performance for the diagnosis of CAD.

Effects of cytochrome P450 2C19 and paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms on antiplatelet response to clopidogrel therapy in patients with coronary artery disease

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet prodrug that is recommended to reduce the risk of recurrent thrombosis in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is suggested to be a rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of 2-oxo-clopidogrel to active thiol metabolite with inconsistent results. Here, we sought to determine the associations of CYP2C19 and PON1 gene polymorphisms with clopidogrel response and their role in ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Clopidogrel response and platelet aggregation were determined using Multiplate aggregometer in 211 patients with established CAD who received 75 mg clopidogrel and 75–325 mg aspirin daily for at least 14 days. Polymorphisms in CYP2C19 and PON1 were genotyped and tested for association with clopidogrel resistance. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and their epistatic interaction effects on ADP-induced platelet aggregation were analysed. The prevalence of clopidogrel resistance in this population was approximately 33.2% (n = 70). The frequencies of CYP2C19*2 and *3 were significantly higher in non-responder than those in responders. After adjusting for established risk factors, CYP2C19*2 and *3 alleles independently increased the risk of clopidogrel resistance with adjusted ORs 2.94 (95%CI, 1.65–5.26; p<0.001) and 11.26 (95%CI, 2.47–51.41; p = 0.002, respectively). Patients with *2 or *3 allele and combined with smoking, diabetes and increased platelet count had markedly increased risk of clopidogrel resistance. No association was observed between PON1 Q192R and clopidogrel resistance (adjusted OR = 1.13, 95%CI, 0.70–1.82; p = 0.622). Significantly higher platelet aggregation values were found in CYP2C19*2 and *3 patients when compared with *1/*1 allele carriers (p = 1.98×10⁻⁶). For PON1 Q192R genotypes, aggregation values were similar across all genotype groups (p = 0.359). There was no evidence of gene-gene interaction or LD between CYP2C19 and PON1 polymorphisms on ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Our findings indicated that only CYP2C19*2 and *3 alleles had an influence on clopidogrel resistance. The risk of clopidogrel resistance increased further with smoking, diabetes, and increased platelet count.

Direct comparison of cardiovascular magnetic resonance and single-photon emission computed tomography for detection of coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis

Objective

To use direct comparative studies or randomised controlled trials to compare the accuracy of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials and Methods

Various databases were searched for original articles published prior to June 2013. Studies were selected that performed both CMR and SPECT in the same or randomised patients to detect CAD and that presented sufficient data to allow construction of contingency tables. For each study, the true-positive, false-positive, true-negative, and false-negative values were extracted or derived, and 2×2 contingency tables were constructed. To reduce heterogeneity, the meta-analysis was carried out in two parts: (1) coronary territory-based analysis and (2) patient-based analysis.

Results

10 studies (5 studies based on patient, 4 studies based on coronary territory, and 1 study based on both) were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 1727 patients. The methodological quality was moderate. For part (1), the summary estimates were as follows: for CMR based on patient–a sensitivity of 0.79 (95% confidence interval: 0.72–0.84) and a specificity of 0.75 (0.65–0.83); for SPECT based on patient–a sensitivity of 0.70 (0.59–0.79) and a specificity of 0.76 (0.66–0.83). For part (2), the summary estimates for CMR based on coronary territory were a sensitivity of 0.80 (0.73–0.85) and a specificity of 0.87 (0.81–0.91), and the summary estimates for SPECT based on coronary territory were a sensitivity of 0.67 (0.60–0.72) and a specificity of 0.80 (0.75–0.84).

Conclusions

Compared with SPECT, CMR is more sensitive to detect CAD on a per-patient basis. Nonetheless, large scale, well-designed trials are necessary to assess its clinical value on a per-coronary territory basis.

National trends in patient safety for four common conditions, 2005-2011

BACKGROUND

Changes in adverse-event rates among Medicare patients with common medical conditions and conditions requiring surgery remain largely unknown.

METHODS

We used Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System data abstracted from medical records on 21 adverse events in patients hospitalized in the United States between 2005 and 2011 for acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, pneumonia, or conditions requiring surgery. We estimated trends in the rate of occurrence of adverse events for which patients were at risk, the proportion of patients with one or more adverse events, and the number of adverse events per 1000 hospitalizations.

RESULTS

The study included 61,523 patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (19%), congestive heart failure (25%), pneumonia (30%), and conditions requiring surgery (27%). From 2005 through 2011, among patients with acute myocardial infarction, the rate of occurrence of adverse events declined from 5.0% to 3.7% (difference, 1.3 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7 to 1.9), the proportion of patients with one or more adverse events declined from 26.0% to 19.4% (difference, 6.6 percentage points; 95% CI, 3.3 to 10.2), and the number of adverse events per 1000 hospitalizations declined from 401.9 to 262.2 (difference, 139.7; 95% CI, 90.6 to 189.0). Among patients with congestive heart failure, the rate of occurrence of adverse events declined from 3.7% to 2.7% (difference, 1.0 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.4), the proportion of patients with one or more adverse events declined from 17.5% to 14.2% (difference, 3.3 percentage points; 95% CI, 1.0 to 5.5), and the number of adverse events per 1000 hospitalizations declined from 235.2 to 166.9 (difference, 68.3; 95% CI, 39.9 to 96.7). Patients with pneumonia and those with conditions requiring surgery had no significant declines in adverse-event rates.

CONCLUSIONS

From 2005 through 2011, adverse-event rates declined substantially among patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure but not among those hospitalized for pneumonia or conditions requiring surgery. (Funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and others.).

Comparison of sirolimus-, paclitaxel-, and everolimus-eluting stent in unprotected left main coronary artery percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES

This retrospective study evaluated the outcomes of patients who underwent unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with different types of drug-eluting stents (DES).

BACKGROUND

The standard of care for patients with ULMCA is coronary artery bypass surgery. However, current guidelines recommend PCI in clinical conditions where there is an increased risk of adverse surgical outcomes. Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing ULMCA PCI with different types of drug-eluting stents (DES) are unknown.

METHODS

Data from a multicenter international registry, which included 239 consecutive patients from four institutions who ULMCA PCI with DES, were collected.

RESULTS

There were 42 patients receiving paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES), 158 patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stent (SES), and 39 patients receiving everolimus-eluting stent (EES). There was no statistical difference in major adverse cardiovascular events, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis among PES, SES, and EES at 30 days and 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

There are no differences in clinical events among patients receiving PES, SES, and EES for ULMCA disease.

One-year clinical outcomes in invasive treatment strategies for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock in elderly patients

Objective

To investigate the clinical outcomes of an invasive strategy for elderly (aged ≥ 75 years) patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS).

Methods

Data on 366 of 409 elderly CS patients from a total of 6,132 acute STEMI cases enrolled in the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry between January 2008 and June 2011, were collected and analyzed. In-hospital deaths and the 1-month and 1-year survival rates free from major adverse cardiac events (MACE; defined as all cause death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) were reported for the patients who had undergone invasive (n = 310) and conservative (n = 56) treatment strategies.

Results

The baseline clinical characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. There were fewer in-hospital deaths in the invasive treatment strategy group (23.5% vs. 46.4%, P < 0.001). In addition, the 1-year MACE-free survival rate after invasive treatment was significantly lower compared with the conservative treatment (51% vs. 66%, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

In elderly patients with acute STEMI complicated by CS, the outcomes of invasive strategy are similar to those in younger patients at the 1-year follow-up.

Meta-analysis of percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients with diabetes and left main and/or multivessel coronary artery disease

The optimal coronary revascularization strategy for patients with diabetes and left main and/or multivessel disease is undetermined. The aim of our study was to evaluate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in those patients. We identified 13 articles, published before October 2011, enrolling 6992 patients, whose follow-up period ranged from 1 to 5 years. Patients with PCI had a significant reduction in cerebral vascular attack (CVA) (OR, 0.29; 95 % CI, 0.16-0.51; p < 0.0001, I (2) = 0 %) as compared with CABG, whereas there was a fourfold increased risk of repeat revascularization associated with PCI even using drug-eluting stent (OR, 4.44; 95 % CI, 3.42-5.78; Χ(2) = 4.92, p < 0.00001, I (2) = 0 %). The overall mortality (OR, 0.97; 95 % CI, 0.81-1.15; p = 0.70, I (2) = 0 %) was comparable between the PCI and CABG. However, in subgroup analysis, the composite outcome (death/myocardial infarction/CVA) was significantly reduced in favor of DES implantation (OR, 0.79; 95 % CI, 0.63-0.99; Χ(2) = 1.07, p = 0.04, I (2) = 0 %). Our study confirmed the cerebral vascular benefits of PCI by significantly reducing CVA risks, and the composite outcome was better in patients undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stent, despite a higher repeat revascularization rate. It poses imperative demands for future prospective randomized studies to define the optimal strategy in patients with diabetes and left main and/or multivessel disease.

Virtual fractional flow reserve from coronary angiography: modeling the significance of coronary lesions: results from the VIRTU-1 (VIRTUal Fractional Flow Reserve From Coronary Angiography) study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to develop a computer model that accurately predicts myocardial fractional flow reserve (FFR) from angiographic images alone, in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guided by FFR is superior to standard assessment alone. FFR-guided PCI results in improved clinical outcomes, a reduction in the number of stents implanted, and reduced cost. Currently FFR is used in few patients. A less invasive FFR would be a valuable tool.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with stable coronary artery disease awaiting elective PCI were studied. They underwent rotational coronary angiography. The FFR was measured, physiologically significant lesions were stented, and angiography and FFR were repeated. Three-dimensional arterial anatomy pre- and post-stenting was reconstructed offline. Generic boundary conditions for computational fluid dynamics analysis were applied. The virtual fractional flow reserve (vFFR) and measured fractional flow reserve (mFFR) values were compared.

RESULTS

Thirty-five matched anatomical and physiological datasets were obtained: 10 right coronary arteries (RCA) (5 pre- and post-stenting), and 12 left coronary arteries (LCA) (8 pre- and post-stenting). The computational fluid dynamics model predicted which lesions were physiologically significant (FFR <0.80) and which were not (FFR >0.80) with accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of 97%, 86%, 100%, 100%, and 97% respectively. On average, the vFFR values deviated from mFFR by ±0.06 (mean delta = 0.02, SD = 0.08). The vFFR and mFFR were closely correlated (r = 0.84).

CONCLUSIONS

We have developed a model of intracoronary physiology based upon a rotational coronary angiogram. Significant lesions were identified with 97% accuracy. The FFR was reliably predicted without the need for invasive measurements or inducing hyperemia.