Implications of Periprocedural Myocardial Biomarker Elevations and Commonly Used MI Definitions After Left Main PCI

Periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury

Periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) and injury, pertinent to both cardiac and non-cardiac procedures, have gained increasing recognition in clinical practice. Over time, diverse definitions for diagnosing PMI have been developed and validated among patient populations undergoing coronary revascularization. However, this variety in definitions presents considerable challenges in clinical settings and complicates both the design and interpretation of clinical trials. The necessity to accurately diagnose PMI has spurred significant interest in establishing universally accepted and prognostically meaningful thresholds for cardiac biomarkers elevation and supportive ancillary criteria. In fact, elevations in cardiac biomarkers in line with the 4th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction, have been extensively confirmed to be associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular events. In the context of non-coronary cardiac procedures, such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, there is a growing acknowledgment of both the high incidence rates and the adverse impact of PMI on patient outcomes. Similarly, emerging research underscores the significance of PMI and injury in non-cardiac surgery, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and risk management strategies in this domain.

Impact of Relative Improvement in Quantitative Flow Ratio on Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - A Subanalysis of the PANDA III Trial

BACKGROUND

The clinical impact of relative improvements in coronary physiology in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary artery disease (CAD) remains undetermined.Methods and Results: The quantitative flow ratio (QFR) recovery ratio (QRR) was calculated in 1,424 vessels in the PANDA III trial as (post-PCI QFR-pre-PCI QFR)/(1-pre-PCI QFR). The primary endpoint was the 2-year vessel-oriented composite endpoint (VOCE; a composite of vessel-related cardiac death, vessel-related non-procedural myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization). Study vessels were dichotomously stratified according to the optimal QRR cut-off value. During the 2-year follow-up, 41 (2.9%) VOCEs occurred. Low (<0.86) QRR was associated with significantly higher rates of 2-year VOCEs than high (≥0.86) QRR (6.6% vs. 1.4%; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 5.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.53-10.08; P<0.001). Notably, among vessels with satisfactory post-procedural physiological results (post-PCI QFR >0.89), low QRR also conferred an increased risk of 2-year VOCEs (3.7% vs. 1.4%; aHR 3.01; 95% CI 1.30-6.94; P=0.010). Significantly better discriminant and reclassification performance was observed after integrating risk stratification by QRR and post-PCI QFR to clinical risk factors (area under the curve 0.80 vs. 0.71 [P=0.010]; integrated discrimination improvement 0.05 [P<0.001]; net reclassification index 0.64 [P<0.001]).

CONCLUSIONS

Relative improvement of coronary physiology assessed by QRR showed applicability in prognostication. Categorical classification of coronary physiology could provide information for risk stratification of CAD patients.

Periprocedural myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention and long-term mortality: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Conflicting data are available regarding the association between periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) and mortality following percutaneous coronary intervention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and prognostic implication of PMI according to the Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (UDMI), the Academic Research Consortium (ARC)-2 definition, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) definition.

METHODS

Studies reporting adjusted effect estimates were systematically searched. The primary outcome was all-cause death, while cardiac death was included as a secondary outcome. Studies defining PMI according to biomarker elevation without further evidence of myocardial ischaemia ('ancillary criteria') were included and reported as 'definition-like'. Data were pooled in a random-effect model.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies and 109 568 patients were included. The incidence of PMI was progressively lower across the UDMI, ARC-2, and SCAI definitions. All PMI definitions were independently associated with all-cause mortality [UDMI: hazard ratio (HR) 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-1.97; I2 34%; ARC-2: HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.40-3.08, I2 0%; SCAI: HR 3.24, 95% CI 2.36-4.44, I2 78%]. Including ancillary criteria in the PMI definitions were associated with an increased prognostic performance in the UDMI but not in the SCAI definition. Data were consistent after evaluation of major sources of heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

All currently available international definitions of PMI are associated with an increased risk of all-cause death after percutaneous coronary intervention. The magnitude of this latter association varies according to the sensitivity and prognostic relevance of each definition.

Post-procedural elevated cardiac troponin I and the association with 5-year mortality in patients undergoing elective PCI

Background

The clinically meaningful cardiac troponin I (cTnI) threshold associated with the long-term prognosis in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still debated.

Objective

To assess the association between different thresholds for post-procedural cTnI and 5-year mortality.

Methods

The study included 4059 consecutive patients with normal baseline cTnI values who underwent elective PCI. The post-procedural cTnI level was measured at 8-48 h after PCI. The main study endpoints were 5-year all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality.

Results

A cTnI ≥5 times the upper reference limit (URL) as defined by the fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction (4th UDMI), ≥35 times as defined by the Academic Research Consortium-2 criteria, and ≥70 times as defined by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI [2014]) was identified in 33%, 6.6%, and 3.3% of patients, respectively. During 5 years of follow-up, the all-cause mortality rate was 3.4% (n = 132) and the cardiovascular mortality rate was 2.0% (n = 77). Both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality increased with higher peak cTnI, and were independently predicted by a cTnI ≥70 times the URL (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-5.02 and adjusted HR 3.17, 95% CI 1.31-7.67, respectively; reference, cTnI <1 × URL]. The SCAI (2014) threshold was significantly associated with 5-year cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 2.66, 95% CI 1.20-5.89; reference, cTnI, <70 × URL) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.16-4.30; reference, cTnI <70 × URL).

Conclusion

In patients with normal pre-procedural cTnI who underwent elective PCI, a post-procedural cTnI ≥70 times the URL independently predicted 5-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Therefore, only the SCAI (2014) post-procedural cTnI threshold was independently associated with long-term mortality.

A New Scoring System Predicting Side-Branch Occlusion in Patients Undergoing Left Main Bifurcation Intervention: The LM V-RESOLVE Score

BACKGROUND

The risk of side-branch (SB) occlusion is pivotal for decision making of stenting strategies during unprotected left main (LM) bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Accordingly, this study aimed to develop a scoring system for predicting SB occlusion during unprotected LM bifurcation PCI.

METHODS

A total of 855 consecutive patients undergoing unprotected LM bifurcation PCI with provisional strategy at Fuwai Hospital from January 2014 to December 2016 were recruited. A prediction model was selected by means of all-subsets logistic regression, and a multivariable risk score (Left Main Visual Estimation for Risk Prediction of Side Branch Occlusion in Coronary Bifurcation Intervention [LM V-RESOLVE]) was then established with incremental weights attributed to each component variable based on its estimate coefficients. SB occlusion was defined as any decrease in Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade or absence of flow in SB after main vessel (MV) stenting.

RESULTS

SB occlusion occurred in 19 LM bifurcation lesions (2.22%). In multivariable model, 3 variables, including MV/SB diameter ratio, MV plaque ipsilateral to SB, and baseline diameter stenosis of SB, were independent predictors for SB occlusion (model C-statistic 0.829, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.735-0.923, with good calibration). The risk score had a C-statistics of 0.830 (95% CI 0.738-0.923) with good calibration. Satisfactory discriminative ability of the risk score was also preserved in external validation (C-statistic 0.794, 95% CI 0.691-0.896).

CONCLUSIONS

The LM bifurcation-specific novel scoring system, LM V-RESOLVE, based on 3 simple baseline angiographic findings, could help to rapidly discriminate lesions at risk of SB occlusion during LM bifurcation PCI.

Left main bifurcation stenting: impact of residual ischaemia on cardiovascular mortality

AIMS

The present study sought to determine the rate and prognostic implications of post-procedural physiologically significant residual ischemia according to Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR) after left main (LM) bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive patients undergoing LM bifurcation stenting at a large tertiary care center between January 2014 and December 2016 with available post-PCI μQFR were included. Physiologically significant residual ischemia was defined by post-PCI μQFR values ≤0.80 in the left anterior descending (LAD) or left circumflex artery (LCX). The primary outcome was 3-year cardiovascular death. The major secondary outcome was 3-year bifurcation-oriented composite endpoint (BOCE). Among 1170 included patients with analyzable post-PCI μQFR, 155 (13.2%) had residual ischemia in either LAD or LCX. Patients with vs. those without residual ischemia had a higher risk of 3-year cardiovascular mortality [5.4% vs. 1.3%; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 3.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-8.80]. The 3-year risk of BOCE was significantly higher in the residual ischemia group (17.8% vs. 5.8%; adjusted HR 2.79, 95% CI: 1.68-4.64), driven by higher incidence of the composite of cardiovascular death and target bifurcation-related myocardial infarction (14.0% vs. 3.3%; adjusted HR 4.06, 95% CI: 2.22-7.42). A significant, inverse association was observed between continuous post-PCI μQFR and the risk of clinical outcomes (per 0.1 μQFR decrease, HR of cardiovascular death 1.27, 95% CI: 1.00-1.62; HR of BOCE 1.29, 95% CI: 1.14-1.47).

CONCLUSION

After angiographically successful LM bifurcation PCI, residual ischemia assessed by μQFR was identified in 13.2% of patients and was associated with higher risk of 3-year cardiovascular death, indicating the superior prognostic value of post-PCI physiological assessment.

Long-term clinical outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention for ostial left main coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

There are limited data regarding the long-term prognosis of percutaneous coronary intervention treatment for left main (LM) ostial stenosis.

AIMS

The present study sought to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes and risk factors for adverse events in LM ostial lesions following drug-eluting stent implantation (DES) in a large cohort of an LM registry database.

METHODS

Patients presenting with LM coronary disease from January 2004 to December 2016 at Fuwai Hospital were included. The primary endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF), a composite endpoint of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularisation. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to identify independent predictors.

RESULTS

Among 4,625 LM patients, 627 (13.6%) patients were identified with LM ostial lesions. There were more female patients in the ostial group (31.3%), compared with the shaft (18.1%) and bifurcation groups (19.9%) (p<0.0001). Among patients with DES implantation, 3-year TVF occurred in 44 patients (7.5%) in the ostial group, which is comparable with the other two groups. Myocardial infarction (MI) was significantly lower in the ostial group (2.0%) compared with the bifurcation group (4.2%) (p=0.02), especially for MI events originating in the LM vessel (p=0.02). For patients with ostial LM disease who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment, procedural complications were an independent risk factor for long-term cardiac death or MI, while a more recent PCI proved to be a protective factor.

CONCLUSIONS

PCI treatment for ostial LM lesions achieved favourable long-term outcomes, with a similar MI risk compared with the mid-shaft group but a significantly lower risk of MI compared with the distal group.

Prolonged infusion of bivalirudin after elective percutaneous coronary intervention protects against procedural myocardial injury (a COBER study)-a randomized trial

Procedural myocardial injury (PMI), which is the most common complication of elective percutaneous coronary intervention (ePCI), is associated with future adverse cardiac events. In this randomized pilot trial, we assessed the effects of prolonged use of the anti-coagulant bivalirudin on PMI after ePCI. Patients undergoing ePCI were randomized into the following two groups: the bivalirudin use during operation group (BUDO, 0.75 mg/kg bolus plus 1.75 mg/kg/h) and the bivalirudin use during and after operation for 4 h (BUDAO, 0.75 mg/kg bolus plus 1.75 mg/kg/h). Blood samples were collected before and 24 h after ePCI (per 8 h). The primary outcome, PMI, was defined as an increase in post-ePCI cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels of > 1 × 99th% upper reference limit (URL) when the pre-PCI cTnI was normal or a rise in cTnI of > 20% of the baseline value when it was above the 99th percentile URL, but it was stable or falling. Major PMI (MPMI) was defined as a post-ePCI cTnI increase of > 5 × 99th% URL. A total of 330 patients were included (n = 165 per group). The incidences of PMI and MPMI were not significantly higher in the BUDO group than in the BUDAO group (PMI: 115 [69.70%] vs. 102 [61.82%], P = 0.164; MPMI: 81 [49.09%] vs. 70 [42.42%], P = 0.269). However, the absolute change in cTnI levels (calculated as the peak value 24 h post-PCI minus the pre-PCI value) was notably larger in the BUDO group (0.13 [0.03, 1.95]) than in the BUDAO group (0.07 [0.01, 0.61]) (P = 0.045). Moreover, the incidence of bleeding events was similar between the two groups (BUDO: 0 [0.00%]; BUDAO: 2 [1.21%], P = 0.498). Prolonged infusion of bivalirudin for 4 h after ePCI reduces PMI severity without increasing the risk of bleeding.ClinicalTrials.gov.Number: NCT04120961, 09/10/2019.

Periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in addition to guideline-directed medical therapy reduces the risk of spontaneous myocardial infarction (MI), urgent revascularization, and improves angina status; however, PCI is associated with an increased risk of periprocedural myocardial injury and MI. Numerous studies have investigated the mechanisms, predictors, and therapeutic strategies for periprocedural MI. Various definitions of periprocedural MI have been proposed by academic groups and professional societies requiring different cardiac biomarker thresholds and ancillary criteria for myocardial ischemia. The frequency and clinical significance of periprocedural MI substantially varies according to the definitions applied. In daily practice, accurate diagnosis of clinically-relevant periprocedural MI is essential because it may have a substantial impact on subsequent patient management. In the clinical trial setting, only clinically relevant periprocedural MI definitions should be applied as a clinical endpoint in order to avoid obscuring meaningful outcomes. In this review, we aim to summarize the mechanisms, predictors, frequency, and prognostic impact of periprocedural MI in patients undergoing PCI and to provide the current perspective on this issue.

Machine learning-based prediction of infarct size in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A multi-center study

BACKGROUND

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is the gold standard for measuring infarct size (IS). However, this method is expensive and requires a specially trained technologist to administer. We therefore sought to quantify the IS using machine learning (ML) based analysis on clinical features, which is a convenient and cost-effective alternative to CMR.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We included 315 STEMI patients with CMR examined one week after morbidity in final analysis. After feature selection by XGBoost on fifty-six clinical features, we used five ML algorithms (random forest (RF), light gradient boosting decision machine, deep forest, deep neural network, and stacking) to predict IS with 26 (selected by XGBoost with information gain greater than average level of 56 features) and the top 10 features, during which 5-fold cross-validation were used to train and optimize models. We then evaluated the value of actual and ML-IS for the prediction of adverse remodeling. Our finding indicates that MLs outperform the linear regression in predicting IS. Specifically, the RF with five predictors identified by the exhaustive method performed better than linear regression (LR) with 10 indicators (R² of RF: 0.8; LR: 0). The finding also shows that both actual and ML-IS were independently associated with adverse remodeling. ML-IS ≥ 21% was associated with a twofold increase in the risk of LV remodeling (P < 0.01) compared with patients with reference IS (1st tertile).

CONCLUSION

ML-based methods can predict IS with widely available clinical features, which provide a proof-of-concept tool to quantitatively assess acute phase IS.

High absolute neutrophil count with type 2 diabetes is associated with adverse outcome in patients with coronary artery disease: A large-scale cohort study

Background

Inflammatory processes crucially modulate the development, progression, and outcomes of coronary artery disease (CAD). Since hyperglycemia could alter inflammatory responses, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ANC, a novel and rapidly available inflammatory biomarker, on the prognosis of patients undergoing PCI with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

A total of 7,826 patients with CAD hospitalized for PCI at Fuwai Hospital were consecutively recruited. According to the median ANC value, patients were stratified as having high ANC (ANC-H) or low ANC (ANC-L) and were further classified into four groups by T2D. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), including all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and target vessel revascularization.

Results

During a median follow-up of 2.4 years, 509 (6.5%) MACCEs were documented. Diabetic patients with increased ANC were at significantly higher risk of MACCEs (aHR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.21-1.99; P = 0.001) compared to those in the ANC-L/non-T2D group (P for interaction between T2D and ANC categories = 0.044). Meanwhile, multivariable regression analysis demonstrated the highest MACCE risk in diabetic patients with a higher level of ANC than others (P for trend <0.001).

Conclusion

This study suggests that stratification of patients with elevated ANC and T2D could provide prognostic information for CAD patients undergoing PCI.

Peri-Procedural Troponin Elevation after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

Left main (LM) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are challenging and highly invasive procedures. Periprocedural myocardial injury (Troponin (Tn) elevation > 99th percentile) is frequently detected after LM PCI, being identified even in up to 67% of patients. However, the prognostic implications of periprocedural Tn elevation after LM PCI remain controversial. We aim to assess the impact and prognostic significance of the periprocedural troponin elevation on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing LM PCI in a real-world setting. Consecutive 673 patients who underwent LM PCI in our department between January 2015 to February 2021 were included in a prospective registry. The first group consisted of 323 patients with major cardiac Troponin I elevation defined as an elevation of Tn values > 5× the 99th percentile in patients with normal baseline values or post-procedure Tn rise by >20% in patients with elevated pre-procedure Tn in whom the Tn level was stable or falling (based on the fourth universal definition of myocardial infarction). The second group consisted of patients without major cardiac Troponin I elevation. Seven-year long-term all-cause mortality was not higher in the group with major Tn elevation (36.9% vs. 40.6%; p = 0.818). Naturally, periprocedural myocardial infarction was diagnosed only in patients from groups with major Tn elevation (4.9% of all patients). In-hospital death and other periprocedural complications did not differ significantly between the two study groups. The adjusted HRs for mortality post-PCI in patients with a periprocedural myocardial infarction were not significant. Long-term mortality subanalysis for the group with criteria for cardiac procedural myocardial injury showed no significant differences (39.5% vs. 38.8%; p = 0.997). The occurrence of Tn elevation (>1×; >5×; >35× and >70× URL) after LM PCI was not associated with adverse long-term outcomes. The results of the study suggest that the isolated periprocedural troponin elevation is not clinically significant.

Frequency and outcomes of periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients with chronic coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Various definitions of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) have been proposed by academic groups and professional societies differing in terms of biomarker thresholds and ancillary criteria for myocardial ischemia. The incidence and clinical significance of periprocedural MI substantially varies according to the definitions applied. In this review, we summarize available clinical data on the frequency and outcomes of periprocedural MI according to various MI definitions in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

RECENT FINDINGS

Numerous clinical studies and meta-analyses have investigated the incidence and prognostic relevance of periprocedural MI following PCI. The incidence of periprocedural MI was higher when defined by universal definition of myocardial infarction (UDMI), which applies a lower biomarker threshold with broader ancillary criteria compared with the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) and academic research consortium (ARC)-2. The prognostic impact of periprocedural MI defined by SCAI and ARC-2 on mortality was consistently greater compared with the UDMI definition.

SUMMARY

Among chronic coronary syndrome patients undergoing PCI, the frequency and prognostic value of periprocedural MI varies considerably based on definitions. Periprocedural MI defined by the ARC-2 and SCAI occurred 3-6 times less frequently and were prognostically more relevant as compared with the UDMI. Clinically relevant definitions should be used in daily practice and clinical trials.

Comparison of Estimated LDL Cholesterol Equations with Direct Measurement in Patients with Angiographically Confirmed Coronary Artery Disease

Background and aims: Our goals in the study were to (1) quantify the discordance in LDL-C levels between equations (the Friedewald, Sampson, and Martin/Hopkins equations) and compare them with direct LDL-C (dLDL-C); and (2) explore the proportion of misclassified patients by calculated LDL-C using these three different equations. Methods: A total of 30,349 consecutive patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD) were prospectively enrolled. Concordance was defined as if the LDL-C was <1.8 mmol/L with each pairwise comparison of LDL-C equations. Estimated LDL-C that fell into the same category as dLDL-C at the following levels: <1.4, 1.4 to 1.7, 1.8 to 2.5, 2.6 to 2.9, and ≥3.0 mmol/L was considered to have been correctly categorized. Results: The concordance was 96.3% (Sampson vs. Martin/Hopkins), 95.0% (Friedewald vs. Sampson), and 91.4% (Friedewald vs. Martin/Hopkins), respectively. This proportion fell to 82.4% in those with hypertriglyceridemia (TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L). With an accurate classification rate of 73.6%, the Martin/Hopkins equation outperformed the Sampson equation (69.5%) and the Friedewald equation (59.3%) by a wide margin. Conclusions: Comparing it to the validated Martin/Hopkins equation, the Friedewald equation produced the lowest levels of LDL-C, followed by the Sampson equation. In the classification of LDL-C, the Martin/Hopkins equation has also been shown to be more accurate. There is a significant difference between the equations and the direct measurement method, which may lead to overtreatment or undertreatment.

Prognostic significance of troponin increment after percutaneous coronary intervention: A retrospective study

Objective

The prognostic significance of troponin elevation following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate the association between different thresholds of post-PCI cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and mortality.

Methods

From January 2012 to July 2017, 5,218 consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI with pre-PCI cTnI &lt; 99th percentile of the upper reference limit (URL) were included. Levels of cTnI were measured before PCI and every 8 h for 24 h after procedural. The outcomes were 3-year cardiac mortality.

Results

Patients had a mean age of 66.2 years, 27.6% were women, 67.0% had hypertension, and 26.2% had diabetes mellitus. During the 3 years of follow-up, cardiac death occurred in 0.86%, 1.46%, 1.69%, 2.36%, and 2.86% of patients with cTnI &lt; 1, ≥ 1 to &lt; 5, ≥ 5 to &lt; 35, ≥ 35 to &lt; 70, and ≥ 70 times URL. The cardiac mortality rate was moderately increased with higher peak cTnI values, but the Kaplan–Meier curve demonstrated no significant association between any increment of cTnI and either cardiac or non-cardiac mortality. Isolated cTnI increment of ≥ 5 × URL, ≥ 35 × URL, and ≥ 70 × URL was occurred in 1,379 (26.4%), 197 (3.8%), and 70 (1.3%) patients, respectively. In multivariate Cox regression analysis and Fine-Gray model, none of the above cTnI thresholds was significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiac death.

Conclusion

In patients who underwent elective PCI, post-PCI cTnI elevation is not independently associated with cardiac mortality.

From Classic to Modern Prognostic Biomarkers in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Despite all the important advances in its diagnosis and treatment, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still one of the most prominent causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early identification of patients at high risk of poor outcomes through the measurement of various biomarker concentrations might contribute to more accurate risk stratification and help to guide more individualized therapeutic strategies, thus improving prognoses. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the role and applications of cardiac biomarkers in risk stratification and prognostic assessment for patients with myocardial infarction. Although there is no ideal biomarker that can provide prognostic information for risk assessment in patients with AMI, the results obtained in recent years are promising. Several novel biomarkers related to the pathophysiological processes found in patients with myocardial infarction, such as inflammation, neurohormonal activation, myocardial stress, myocardial necrosis, cardiac remodeling and vasoactive processes, have been identified; they may bring additional value for AMI prognosis when included in multi-biomarker strategies. Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence algorithms for risk stratification and prognostic assessment in these patients may have an extremely important role in improving outcomes.

High neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio with type 2 diabetes mellitus predicts poor prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a large-scale cohort study

BACKGROUND

Inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a novel inflammatory biomarker and its association with clinical outcomes in CAD patients with different glycemic metabolism after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains undetermined. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of NLR on the prognosis of patients undergoing PCI with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

We consecutively enrolled 8,835 patients with CAD hospitalized for PCI at Fuwai hospital. NLR was calculated using the following formula: neutrophil (*10⁹/L)/lymphocyte (*10⁹/L). According to optimal cut-off value, study patients were categorized as higher level of NLR (NLR-H) and lower level of NLR (NLR-L) and were further stratified as NLR-H with T2DM and non-T2DM, and NLR-L with T2DM and non-T2DM. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), defined as all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and target vessel revascularization.

RESULTS

A total of 674 (7.6%) MACCEs were recorded during a median follow-up of 2.4 years. The optimal cut-off value of NLR was 2.85 determined by the surv_cutpoint function. Compared to those in the NLR-H/T2DM groups, patients in the NLR-L/non-T2DM, NLR-H/non-T2DM and NLR-L/T2DM groups were at significantly lower risk of 2-year MACCEs [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52 to 0.87, P = 0.003; adjusted HR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.45 to 0.85, P = 0.003; adjusted HR: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.61 to 0.97, P = 0.025; respectively]. Remarkably, patients in the NLR-L/non-T2DM group also had significantly lower risk of a composite of all-cause mortality and MI than those in the NLR-H/T2DM group (adjusted HR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.35 to 0.93, P = 0.024). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model also indicated the highest risk of MACCEs in diabetic patients with higher level of NLR than others (P for trend = 0.009). Additionally, subgroup analysis indicated consistent impact of NLR on MACCEs across different subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence of T2DM with elevated NLR is associated with worse clinical outcomes in CAD patients undergoing PCI. Categorization of patients with elevated NLR and T2DM could provide valuable information for risk stratification of CAD patients.

Directly Measured vs. Calculated Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Does Not Identify Additional Individuals With Coronary Artery Disease and Diabetes at Higher Risk of Adverse Events: Insight From a Large Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Cohort in Asia

Background

The objective of our study was to assess whether calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is inferior to direct LDL-C (dLDL-C) in identifying patients at higher risk of all-cause mortality, recurrent acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE).

Methods

A total of 9,751 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Fuwai PCI registry were included. DLDL-C was measured by the selective solubilization method (Kyowa Medex, Tokyo, Japan). Correct classification was defined as the proportion of estimated LDL-C in the same category as dLDL-C based on dLDL-C levels: less than 1.4, 1.4–1.8, 1.8–2.6, 2.6–3.0, and 3.0 mmol/L or greater.

Results

Underestimation of LDL-C was found in 9.7% of patients using the Martin/Hopkins equation, compared with 13.9% using the Sampson equation and 24.6% with the Friedewald equation. Cox regression analysis showed compared the correct estimation group, underestimation of LDL-C by the Martin/Hopkins equation did not reduce all-cause mortality (HR 1.26, 95% CI: 0.72–2.20, P = 0.4), recurrent AMI (HR 1.24, 95% CI: 0.69–2.21, P = 0.5), and MACE (HR 1.02, 95% CI: 0.83–1.26, P = 0.9). Similarly, the overestimated group did not exacerbate all-cause mortality (HR 0.9, 95% CI: 0.45–1.77, P = 0.8), recurrent AMI (HR 0.63, 95% CI: 0.28–1.44, P = 0.3), and MACE (HR 1.07, 95% CI: 0.86–1.32, P = 0.6). The results of the diabetes subgroup analysis were similar to those of the whole population.

Conclusion

Compared with dLDL-C measurement, misclassification by the Martin/Hopkins and Sampson equations was present in approximately 20% of patients. However, directly measured vs. calculated LDL-C did not identify any more individuals in the PCI population with increased risk of all-cause mortality, recurrent AMI, and MACE, even in high-risk patients such as those with diabetes.

The Prognostic Value of Cardiac Troponin I in Patients with or without Three-Vessel Disease Undergoing Complete Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Postprocedural cardiac troponin I (cTnI) elevation commonly occurs in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, its prognostic value remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of peak postprocedural cTnI in cardiac patients with or without three-vessel disease (TVD) undergoing complete PCI. A total of 1237 consecutive patients (77% males, mean age 58 ± 10 years) with normal baseline cTnI levels were enrolled, 439 patients (77% males, 59 ± 10 years) with TVD, and 798 patients (77% males, 57 ± 10 years) with single- or double-vessel disease (non-TVD). The primary outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of non-fatal MI, non-fatal stroke, unplanned revascularization, re-hospitalization due to heart failure or severe arrhythmias, and all-cause death. During the median follow-up of 5.3 years, a total of 169 patients (13.7%) developed MACE, including 73 (16.6%) in the TVD group and 96 (12.0%) in the non-TVD group (p = 0.024). After adjustment, the multivariate Cox analysis showed that hypertension (HR 1.50; 95% CI: 1.01–2.20; p = 0.042), TVD (HR 1.44; 95% CI: 1.03–2.02; p = 0.033), and cTnI ≥ 70× URL (HR 2.47; 95% CI: 1.28–4.78, p = 0.007) were independently associated with increased MACE during long-term follow-up. Further subgroup analyses showed that cTnI ≥ 70× URL was an independent predictor of MACE in TVD patients (HR 3.32, 95% CI: 1.51–7.34, p = 0.003), but not in non-TVD patients (HR 1.01, 95%CI: 0.24–4.32, p = 0.991). In conclusion, elevation of post-PCI cTnI ≥ 70× URL is independently associated with a high risk of MACE during long-term follow-up in patients with TVD, but not in those with non-TVD.

New Insights Into Long- Versus Short-Term Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration in Patients After Stenting for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: Findings From a Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The appropriate duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and risk-benefit ratio for long-term DAPT in patients with left main (LM) disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention remains uncertain.

METHODS

Four thousand five hundred sixty-one consecutive patients with stenting of LM disease at a single center from January 2004 to December 2016 were enrolled. Decision to discontinue or remain on DAPT after 12 months was left to an individualized decision-making based on treating physicians by weighing the patient's risks of ischemia versus bleeding and considering patient preference. The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, or stroke at 3 years. Key safety outcome was 3-year rate of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium 2, 3, or 5 bleeding.

RESULTS

Of 3865 patients free of ischemic and bleeding events at 12 months, 1727 (44.7%) remained on DAPT (mostly clopidogrel based [97.7%]) beyond 12 months after LM percutaneous coronary intervention. DAPT>12-month versus ≤12-month DAPT was associated with a significant reduced risk of 3-year primary outcome (2.6% versus 4.6%; adjusted hazard ratio: 0.59 [95% CI, 0.41-0.84]). The same trend was found for other ischemic end points: death (0.9% versus 3.0%; P_log-rank<0.001), cardiovascular death (0.5% versus 1.7%; P_log-rank=0.001), myocardial infarction (0.8% versus 1.9%; P_log-rank=0.005), and stent thrombosis (0.4% versus 1.1%; P_log-rank=0.017). The key safety end point was not significantly different between 2 regimens (1.8% versus 1.6%; adjusted hazard ratio: 1.07 [95% CI, 0.65-1.74]). The effect of DAPT>12 month on primary and key safety outcomes was consistent across clinical presentations, high bleeding risk, P2Y₁₂ inhibitor, and LM bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention approach.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large cohort of patients free from clinical events during the first year after LM percutaneous coronary intervention and at low apparent future bleeding risk, an individualized patient-tailored approach to longer duration (>12 month) of DAPT with aspirin plus a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor (mostly clopidogrel) improved both composite and individual efficacy outcomes by reducing ischemic risk, without a concomitant increase in clinically relevant bleeding.

Predictors and clinical significance of periprocedural myocardial infarction following rotational atherectomy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the potential predictors and clinical significance of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI), as defined by the latest Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (2018), following rotational atherectomy (RA).

BACKGROUND

PMI is not uncommon in patients undergoing RA, although the predictors and prognostic impact are unknown.

METHODS

Data from 229 consecutive patients who had undergone RA before drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in a single center were analyzed. Patients' demographic information, clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics, and 1-year follow-up outcomes were collected retrospectively.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of PMI in patients undergoing RA was 48.5%. Age (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.024, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.047, p = 0.043) and ejection fraction (adjusted OR: 0.977, 95% CI: 0.962-0.993, p = 0.004) were independent predictors of PMI in RA, although PMI was not associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) at the 1-year follow-up in patients undergoing RA.

CONCLUSION

Age and ejection fraction were independently associated with an elevated risk of PMI in patients undergoing RA. However, post-RA microinfarcts were not associated with an increased risk of MACCEs over the short-term follow-up period.

The value of perioperative biomarker release for the assessment of myocardial injury or infarction in cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVES

Cardiac biomarkers are indicators of irreversible cell damage. Current myocardial infarction (MI) definitions require concomitant clinical characteristics. For perioperative MI, a correlation of biomarker elevations and mortality has been suggested. Definitions emerged relying on cardiac biomarker release only. This approach is questionable as several clinical and experimental scenarios exist where relevant biomarker release can occur apart from MI.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical and basic science literature and revealed important aspects regarding the use and interpretation of cardiac biomarker release with special focus on their interpretation in the perioperative setting.

RESULTS

Ischaemic biomarkers may be released without cell death in multiple conditions, such as after endurance runs in athletes, temporary inotropic stimulation in animal models and flow variations in in vitro cell models. In addition, access through atrial tissue during cannulation or concomitant valve procedures adds sources of enzyme release that may not be related to ventricular ischaemia (i.e. MI). Such non-cell death-related mechanisms may explain the lack of poor correlations of enzyme release and long-term outcomes in recent trials. In addition, the 3 main biomarkers, troponin T, I and creatine kinase myocardial band, differ in their release kinetics, which may differentially trigger MI events in trial patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of irreversible myocardial injury in cardiac surgery based only on biomarker release is unreliable. Cell death- and non-cell death-related mechanisms create a mix in the perioperative setting that requires additional markers for proper identification of MI. In addition, the 3 most common ischaemic biomarkers display different release kinetics adding to the confusion. We review the topic.

SUBJ COLLECTION

120, 123.