Smoker's Paradox in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Investigation of smoking on the antiplatelet response to clopidogrel: Unravelling the smoker's paradox

The intricate relationship between smoking and the effects of the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel has been termed the "smoker's paradox". This paradox details the enhanced efficacy of clopidogrel in smokers compared to non-smokers. This review begins with an exploration of the proposed mechanisms of the smoker's paradox, particularly drawing attention to the induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes via tobacco smoke, specifically the enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP2C19. Moreover, an investigation of the effects of genetic variability on the smoker's paradox was undertaken from both clinical and molecular perspectives, delving into the effects of ethnicity and genetic polymorphisms. The intriguing role of CYP1A2 genotypes and the response to clopidogrel in smoking and non-smoking populations was examined conferring insight into the individuality rather than universality of the smoker's paradox. CYP1A2 induction is hypothesised to elucidate the potency of smoking in exerting a counteracting effect in those taking clopidogrel who possess CYP2C19 loss of function polymorphisms. Furthermore, we assess the comparative efficacies of clopidogrel and other antiplatelet agents, namely prasugrel and ticagrelor. Studies indicated that prasugrel and ticagrelor provided a more consistent effect and further reduced platelet reactivity compared to clopidogrel within both smoking and non-smoking populations. Personalised dosing was another focus of the review considering patient comorbidities, genetic makeup, and smoking status with the objective of improving the antiplatelet response of those taking clopidogrel. In summation, this review provides insight into multiple areas of research concerning clopidogrel and the smoker's paradox taking into account proposed mechanisms, genetics, other antiplatelet agents, and personalised dosing.

Smoker's paradox in transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A National Inpatient Sample analysis from 2015 to 2020

BACKGROUND

While smoking is recognized as a risk factor for multiple cardiovascular conditions, prior research has identified a smoker paradox, wherein smokers had better post-procedural outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the initial years of its introduction among high-risk patients only. In recent years, TAVR has expanded to significant larger groups of low-risk patients and became the dominate approach for aortic valve replacement. Consequently, the study cohort from the previous research can no longer represent the current patient populations undergoing TAVR. This study aimed to examine the impact of smoking on TAVR outcomes in the later post-TAVR era.

METHODS

Patients who underwent TAVR were identified in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from the last quarter of 2015-2020 by ICD-10-PCS. Patients were stratified into two cohorts based on smoker status. Multivariable analysis was performed comparing in-hospital post-TAVR outcomes. Adjusted pre-procedural variables included sex, age, race, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

A total number of 58,934 patients who underwent TAVR were identified including 23,683 smokers and 35,251 non-smokers. Compared to non-smokers, smokers had lower in-hospital mortality (aOR 0.589, p < 0.01), MACE (aOR 0.678, p < 0.01), MI (aOR 0.719, p < 0.01), stroke (aOR 0.599, p < 0.01), neurological complications (aOR 0.653, p < 0.01), pacemaker implantation (aOR 0.911, p < 0.01), cardiogenic shock (aOR 0.762, p < 0.01), respiratory complications (aOR 0.822, p < 0.01), mechanical ventilation (aOR 0.669, p < 0.01), AKI (aOR 0.745, p < 0.01), VTE (aOR 0.578, p < 0.01), hemorrhage/hematoma (aOR 0.921, p < 0.01), infection (aOR 0.625, p < 0.01), vascular complications (aOR 0.802, p < 0.01), reopen surgery (aOR 0.453), and transfer out to another facility (aOR 0.79, p < 0.01). In addition, cigarette smokers had shorter LOS (p < 0.01), and less hospital charge (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study identified the smoker paradox in the later post-TAVR era with remarkably broad protection from many complications and lower mortality. The reasons underlying this apparent smoker paradox merit deeper investigation.

The smoker's paradox in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure: A national inpatient sample analysis from 2015 to 2020

OBJECTIVES

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure used to alleviate patients with chronic liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Smoking can adversely impact liver function and has been shown to influence liver-related outcomes. This study aimed to examine the impact of smoking on the immediate outcomes of TIPS procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The study compared smokers and non-smokers who underwent TIPS procedures in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from the last quarter of 2015 to 2020. Multivariable analysis was used to compare the in-hospital outcomes post-TIPS. Adjusted pre-procedural variables included sex, age, race, socioeconomic status, indications for TIPS, liver disease etiologies, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS

Compared to non-smokers, smokers had lower risks of in-hospital mortality (7.36% vs 9.88 %, aOR 0.662, p < 0.01), acute kidney injury (25.57% vs 33.66 %, aOR 0.68, p < 0.01), shock (0.45% vs 0.98 %, aOR 0.467, p = 0.02), and transfer out to other hospital facilities (11.35% vs 14.78 %, aOR 0.732, p < 0.01). There was no difference in hepatic encephalopathy or bleeding. Also, smokers had shorter wait from admission to operation (2.76±0.09 vs 3.17±0.09 days, p = 0.01), shorter length of stay (7.50±0.15 vs 9.89±0.21 days, p < 0.01), and lower total hospital cost (148,721± 2,740.7 vs 204,911±4,683.5 US dollars, p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses revealed consistent patterns among both current and past smokers.

CONCLUSION

This study compared the immediate outcomes of smokers and non-smokers after undergoing the TIPS procedure. Interestingly, we observed a smokers' paradox, where smoker patients had better outcomes following TIPS. The underlying causes for this smoker's paradox warrant further in-depth exploration.

Heart Failure at Admission Complicating ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a Middle-Income Country. Experience of the ARGEN-IAM-ST Registry

Despite advances in the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), when associated with heart failure (HF) its prognosis remains ominous. This study assessed the differences in admission and mortality of HF complicating STEMI at admission (HFad) in a middle-income country. Data from the National Registry of STEMI of Argentina (ARGEN-IAM-ST) from January 1, 2016, to September 30, 2020, were analyzed. HFad was defined by the identification of Killip/Kimball ≥2 at admission. About 3174 patients were analyzed (22.3% had HFad). Patients with HFad were older, more often women, hypertensive, and diabetic. Received less reperfusion (87.6% vs 92.6%, P < 0.001) and had increased in-hospital mortality (28.4% vs 3.0%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis HFad was an independent predictor of death (OR: 4.88 [95%CI: 3.33-7.18], P < 0.001) and reperfusion adjusted to HFad was associated with lower mortality (OR: 0.57 [95%CI: 0.34-0.95], P = 0.03). HFad in STEMI is associated with a worse clinical profile, receives fewer reperfusion strategies, and carries a higher risk of in-hospital mortality while reperfusion reduces mortality.

Unfolding the reality of the smoking paradox in a South Asian cohort of patients presenting with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Objectives

Smoking is a potent risk factor for coronary artery disease, but there is controversy about its protective nature in terms of prognosis in ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. So, the main objective of this study is to unfold this controversy in a South Asian population in terms of clinical angiographic parameters and its in-hospital outcomes.

Methods

In this study, we included 1756 consecutive patients diagnosed with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were classified into smokers and non-smokers, and the in-hospital mortality rate was compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the paradoxical role of smoking.

Results

Smokers were younger (53.78 ± 11.16 years vs 56.43 ± 11.17 years; p < 0.001) and more frequently men (98.7% vs 69.9%; p < 0.001) and had less diabetes (19.6% vs 44.8%; p < 0.001) and hypertension (38.5% vs 64.9%; p < 0.001). Smokers presented less frequently in Killip III (5.6% vs 8.1%; p < 0.001) and Killip IV (2.5% vs 4.8%; p < 0.001). Smokers mostly had single vessel disease (41.7% vs 34.4%; p = 0.013), whereas non-smokers had the multi-vessel disease and frequently presented with total occlusion of the culprit vessel (64.6% vs 58.8%; p = 0.040). Smokers have significantly lesser mortality (1.8% vs 4.3%; p = 0.009) compared to non-smokers with an odds ratio of 0.41 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-0.82, p = 0.011); however, adjusted odds ratio on multivariable analysis was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.31-1.41, p = 0.290).

Conclusions

The paradoxical protective role of smoking is the confounding effect of mainly younger age, less coronary artery disease burden, lower prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, and lower Killip III/IV at presentation.

A nomogramic model for predicting the left ventricular ejection fraction of STEMI patients after thrombolysis-transfer PCI

Background

The prognosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is closely linked to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In contrast to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), thrombolysis-transfer PCI (TTPCI) is influenced by multiple factors that lead to heterogeneity in cardiac function and prognosis. The aim of this study is to develop a nomogram model for predicting early LVEF in STEMI patients with TTPCI, based on routine indicators at admission.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed data from patients diagnosed with STEMI at five network hospitals of our PCI center who performed TTPCI as door-to-balloon time (the interval between arrival at the hospital and intracoronary balloon inflation) over 120 min, from February 2018 to April 2022. Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson χ2 tests or Fisher exact tests, while Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare continuous variables. Subsequently, independent risk factors associated with reduced LVEF one week after TTPCI were identified through comprehensive analysis by combining All-Subsets Regression with Logistic Regression. Based on these indicators, a nomogram model was developed, and validated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the Bootstrap method.

Results

A total of 288 patients were analyzed, including 60 with LVEF < 50% and 228 with LVEF ≥ 50%. The nomogram model based on six independent risk factors including age, heart rate (HR), hypertension, smoking history, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Killip class, demonstrated excellent discrimination with an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78-0.89), predicted C-index of 0.84 and curve fit of 0.713.

Conclusions

The nomogram model incorporating age, HR, hypertension, smoking history, ALT and Killip class could accurately predict the early LVEF ≥ 50% probability of STEMI patients undergoing TTPCI, and enable clinicians' early evaluation of cardiac function in STEMI patients with TTPCI and early optimization of treatment.

Explainable SHAP-XGBoost models for in-hospital mortality after myocardial infarction

Background

A lack of explainability in published machine learning (ML) models limits clinicians' understanding of how predictions are made, in turn undermining uptake of the models into clinical practice.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to develop explainable ML models to predict in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

Adult patients hospitalized for an MI were identified in the National Inpatient Sample between January 1, 2012, and September 30, 2015. The resulting cohort comprised 457,096 patients described by 64 predictor variables relating to demographic/comorbidity characteristics and in-hospital complications. The gradient boosting algorithm eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) was used to develop explainable models for in-hospital mortality prediction in the overall cohort and patient subgroups based on MI type and/or sex.

Results

The resulting models exhibited an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) ranging from 0.876 to 0.942, specificity 82% to 87%, and sensitivity 75% to 87%. All models exhibited high negative predictive value ≥0.974. The SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) framework was applied to explain the models. The top predictor variables of increasing and decreasing mortality were age and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, respectively. Other notable findings included a decreased mortality risk associated with certain patient subpopulations with hyperlipidemia and a comparatively greater risk of death among women below age 55 years.

Conclusion

The literature lacks explainable ML models predicting in-hospital mortality after an MI. In a national registry, explainable ML models performed best in ruling out in-hospital death post-MI, and their explanation illustrated their potential for guiding hypothesis generation and future study design.

The impact of high on-treatment platelet reactivity and fibrinogen levels on ischemic events in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

After treatment, high residual platelet reactivity (HRPR) is considered as an essential risk factor for recurrent ischemic events.

AIM

To evaluate the impact of fibrinogen on HRPR after implantation of emergency drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients treated with aspirin and clopidogrel or ticagrelor due to ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to explore the predictive values of HRPR and fibrinogen for adverse ischemic events at 12 months.

METHOD

This single-center prospective observational study analyzed patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with second-generation DES implantation from January 2017 to December 2018. Platelet reactivity was measured by thromboelastography (TEG) at 60-72 h after primary PCI. HRPR was defined as the adenosine diphosphate-induced maximum amplitude (MA_ADP) > 47 mm.

RESULTS

A total of 919 patients were analyzed, of which 512 (55.8%) received aspirin and clopidogrel and 406 (44.2%) received aspirin and ticagrelor. Elevated fibrinogen levels were associated with an increased prevalence of HRPR (P < 0.001). High fibrinogen (quartile IV, ≥ 410 mg/dL) was an independent risk factor for HRPR after multivariate regression (odds ratio 6.556, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.200-13.431, P < 0.001). When analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves, the combination of high fibrinogen and HRPR was strongly predictive for ischemic major adverse cardiac events at 12 months compared to the group without HRPR and with low fibrinogen (hazard ratio 9.681, 95% CI: 4.467-20.98, log-rank P < 0.001). Similar results were confirmed in subgroups according to different dual antiplatelet therapies.

CONCLUSION

A combination of high fibrinogen and HRPR may identify recurrent adverse ischemic events over 12 months. Ticagrelor exhibited more potent platelet inhibition and a better prognosis than clopidogrel.

Influence of cigarettes on myocardial injury in healthy population after exposure to high altitude over 5000 m

BACKGROUND

Myocardial injury (MI) is a severe complication once subjected to hypoxic condition at high altitude. Little evidence exists about the association of cigarettes and MI at high altitude, especially over 5000 m. In the present study, we intend to explore the influence of cigarettes on MI in healthy population after travelling to this extreme environment.

METHODS

Physical examination was performed in population at Pamirs plateau during November and December 2020. All participants were divided into cigarette group or control group. MI was diagnosed based on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB) and aspartate amino transferase (AST).

RESULTS

311 people were included, 58 of whom developed MI, accounting for 18.6 %. Participants in cigarette group were all male, and younger than those in control group. There was longer exposure time in cigarette group. Compared with control group, red blood cell counting, hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit in cigarette group were significantly increased, while heart rate was significantly decreased. Cigarettes were found to significantly upregulate the level of CK-MB and LDH. After adjustment with age, sex, body mass index, altitude and exposure time as covariables, 108 male participants remained in each group, showing that none of clinical indexes had significant difference between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that female sex and oxygen saturation (SO₂) were independent risk factors for MI in non-smokers while HGB was independent risk factor in smokers. By using Spearman correlation analysis, four myocardial enzymes were not relevant with the level of SO₂ in non-smokers. For smokers, HGB was found to be in significant positive correlation with LDH.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that exposure to high altitude over 5000 m could abrogate the impact of cigarettes on MI in healthy population. The independent factors affecting the occurrence of MI were distinctive depending on current smoking status.

Impact of Smoking Status on Mortality in STEMI Patients Undergoing Mechanical Reperfusion for STEMI: Insights from the ISACS-STEMI COVID-19 Registry

The so-called “smoking paradox”, conditioning lower mortality in smokers among STEMI patients, has seldom been addressed in the settings of modern primary PCI protocols. The ISACS−STEMI COVID-19 is a large-scale retrospective multicenter registry addressing in-hospital mortality, reperfusion, and 30-day mortality among primary PCI patients in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the 16,083 STEMI patients, 6819 (42.3%) patients were active smokers, 2099 (13.1%) previous smokers, and 7165 (44.6%) non-smokers. Despite the impaired preprocedural recanalization (p < 0.001), active smokers had a significantly better postprocedural TIMI flow compared with non-smokers (p < 0.001); this was confirmed after adjustment for all baseline and procedural confounders, and the propensity score. Active smokers had a significantly lower in-hospital (p < 0.001) and 30-day (p < 0.001) mortality compared with non-smokers and previous smokers; this was confirmed after adjustment for all baseline and procedural confounders, and the propensity score. In conclusion, in our population, active smoking was significantly associated with improved epicardial recanalization and lower in-hospital and 30-day mortality compared with previous and non-smoking history.

Hypoglycemia is associated with a higher risk of mortality and arrhythmias in ST-elevation myocardial infarction, irrespective of diabetes

Aims

We aimed to assess the impact of hypoglycemia in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background

Hypoglycemia increases the risk of mortality in patients with diabetes and high cardiovascular risk.

Methods

We used the National Inpatient Sample (2005–2017) database to identify adult patients with STEMI as the primary diagnosis. The secondary diagnosis was hypoglycemia. We compared cardiovascular and socio-economic outcomes between STEMI patients with and without hypoglycemia and assessed temporal trends.

Results

Hypoglycemia tends to complicate 0.17% of all cases hospitalized for STEMI. The mean age (±SD) of STEMI patients hospitalized with hypoglycemia decreased from 67 ± 15 in 2005 to 63 ± 12 in 2017 (p = 0.046). Mortality was stable with time, but the prevalence of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, acute renal failure, cardiogenic shock, total charges, and length of stay (LOS) increased with time (p < 0.05 for all). Compared to non-hypoglycemic patients, those who developed hypoglycemia were older and more likely to be black; only 6.7% had diabetes compared to 28.5% of STEMI patients (p = 0.001). Cardiovascular events were more likely to occur in hypoglycemia: mortality risk increased by almost 2.5-fold (adjusted OR = 2.625 [2.095–3.289]). There was a higher incidence of cardiogenic shock (adjusted OR = 1.718 [1.387–2.127]), atrial fibrillation (adjusted OR = 1.284 [1.025–1.607]), ventricular fibrillation (adjusted OR = 1.799 [1.406–2.301]), and acute renal failure (adjusted OR = 2.355 [1.902–2.917]). Patients who developed hypoglycemia were less likely to have PCI (OR = 0.596 [0.491–0.722]) but more likely to have CABG (OR = 1.792 [1.391–2.308]). They also had a longer in-hospital stay and higher charges/stay.

Conclusion

Hypoglycemia is a rare event in patients hospitalized with STEMI. However, it was found to have higher odds of mortality, arrhythmias, and other comorbidities, irrespective of diabetes.

Gender Differences in Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease Among Young Veterans

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing burden of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF), among women Veterans. Clinical practice guidelines recommend multiple pharmacotherapies that can reduce risk of mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine if there are disparities in the use of guideline-directed medical therapy by gender among Veterans with incident CAD and HF.

DESIGN

Retrospective.

PARTICIPANTS

Veterans (934,504; 87.8% men and 129,469; 12.2% women) returning from Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn.

MAIN MEASURES

Differences by gender in the prescription of Class 1, Level of Evidence A guideline-directed medical therapy among patients who developed incident CAD and HF at 30 days, 90 days, and 12 months after diagnosis. For CAD, medications included statins and antiplatelet therapy. For HF, medications included beta-blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors.

KEY RESULTS

Overall, women developed CAD and HF at a younger average age than men (mean 45.8 vs. 47.7 years, p<0.001; and 43.7 vs. 45.4 years, p<0.02, respectively). In the 12 months following a diagnosis of incident CAD, the odds of a woman receiving a prescription for at least one CAD drug was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-1.08) compared to men. In the 12 months following a diagnosis of incident HF, the odds of a woman receiving at least one HF medication was 0.54 (95% CI, 0.37-0.79) compared to men.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite guideline recommendations, young women Veterans have approximately half the odds of being prescribed guideline-directed medical therapy within 1-year after a diagnosis of HF. These results highlight the need to develop targeted strategies to minimize gender disparities in CVD care to prevent adverse outcomes in this young and growing population.

Readmissions among People Living with HIV Admitted for Hypertensive Emergency

OBJECTIVES

People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Hypertensive emergency (HTNE), a complication of hypertension with potentially serious health implications, has high healthcare utilization. We attempted to determine the association between HIV status and risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for HTNE.

METHODS

We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify all of the admissions during 2010-2017 with a primary discharge diagnosis of HTNE. Admissions were stratified by HIV status and comparisons were made with the χ² test. We investigated predictors of all-cause 30-day readmission via multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 612,854 hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of HTNE were identified, and 4115 (0.7%) were HIV positive. There was a total of 43,937 (7.16%) 30-day readmissions, and the rate was higher in regard to positive HIV status (29.8% vs 15.0%; P < 0.001). Renal failure was the most frequent reason for HIV readmissions and the second most frequent reason for non-HIV readmissions (15.6% vs 10.3%; P < 0.001). In contrast, heart failure was the most frequent reason for non-HIV readmissions and the second most frequent reason for HIV readmissions (10.3% vs 11.9%; P = 0.234). There was a higher median cost for HIV readmissions in comparison to non-HIV readmissions ($7660 vs $7490; P < 0.001). Finally, HIV was attributed to 40.6% increased odds of readmission after adjusting for pertinent clinical and demographic factors (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-positive status is associated with an increased risk for 30-day readmission after index hospitalization for HTNE.

Enhanced Thrombin Generation Is Associated with Worse Left Ventricular Scarring after ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Cohort Study

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with heightened thrombin generation. There are limited data relating to thrombin generation and left ventricular (LV) scarring and LV dilatation in post-MI LV remodeling. We studied 113 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) (n = 76) or pharmaco-invasive management (thrombolysis followed by early PCI, n = 37). Endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) was measured at baseline, 1 month and 6 months. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and 6 months post-MI. Outcomes studied were an increase in scar change, which was defined as an increase in left ventricular infarct size of any magnitude detected by late gadolinium enhancement, adverse LV remodeling, defined as dilatation (increase) of left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) by more than 20% and an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The mean age was 55.19 ± 8.25 years and 91.2% were men. The baseline ETP was similar in the PPCI and pharmaco-invasive groups (1400.3 nM.min vs. 1334.1 nM.min, p = 0.473). Each 10-unit increase in baseline ETP was associated with a larger scar size (adjusted OR 1.020, 95% CI 1.002–1.037, p = 0.027). Baseline ETP was not associated with adverse LV remodeling or an increase in LVEF. There was no difference in scar size or adverse LV remodeling among patients undergoing PPCI vs. pharmaco-invasive management or patients receiving ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel. Enhanced thrombin generation after STEMI is associated with a subsequent increase in myocardial scarring but not LV dilatation or an increase in LVEF at 6 months post-MI.

No Paradoxical Effect of Smoking Status on Recurrent Cardiovascular Events in Patients Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Thai PCI Registry

Background

"Smoker's paradox" is a controversial phenomenon that describes an unexpectedly favorable short-term outcome of smokers post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of smoking status on recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients who recently underwent PCI and to determine whether it was paradoxical.

Methods

This study utilized data from the nationwide Thai PCI registry, enrolling patients during 2018-2019. Our study factor was smoking status, classified as current smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers. The outcome of interest was the time to occurrence of a composite of MACEs (i.e., all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and unplanned revascularization) evaluated at about 1-year post-PCI. A propensity score (PS) model using inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment was used to estimate the effect of smoking on the occurrence of MACE.

Results

Current smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers accounted for 23, 32, and 45% of the 22,741 subjects, respectively. Smokers were younger, more frequently male, and had fewer traditional atherosclerotic risk factors. Current smokers presented more frequently with ST-elevation MIs (STEMIs) and cardiogenic shock (54 and 14.6%, respectively) than non-smokers. MACE rates were 1.9, 1.2, and 1.6 per 100 patients per month in the current smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers, respectively. After applying a PS, patients with a history of current smoking and ex-smoking developed the onset of recurrent MACEs significantly sooner than non-smokers, with a median time of 4.4 vs. 4.9 vs. 13.5 months (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

"Smoker's paradox" was not observed in our patient population. Current smokers and ex-smokers were prone to develop an earlier onset of a post-PCI MACEs than nonsmokers and need a smoke cessation program for further prevention.

Trends and Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Diabetes in the US

Aims

We aimed to assess the trend and outcome of aortic valve replacement in patients with diabetes.

Background

Diabetes is associated with higher cardiovascular events.

Methods

Data from the National Inpatient Sample was analyzed between 2012 and 2017. We compared hospitalizations and in-hospital cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes to those without diabetes, hospitalized for aortic valve replacement.

Results

In diabetes patients undergoing TAVR, the mean age of participants decreased from 79.6 ± 8 to 67.8 ± 8, hospitalizations increased from 0.97 to 7.68/100,000 US adults (p &lt; 0.002 for both). There was a significant temporal decrease in mortality, acute renal failure (ARF), and stroke. Compared to non-diabetic patients, those with diabetes had a higher risk of stroke, ARF, and pacemaker requirement [adjusted OR = 1.174 (1.03–1.34), 1.294 (1.24–1.35), 1.153 (1.11–1.20), respectively], but a similar adjusted mortality risk. In diabetes patients undergoing sAVR, the mean age of participants decreased from 70.4 ± 10 to 68 ± 9 (p &lt; 0.001), hospitalizations dropped from 7.72 to 6.63/100,000 US adults (p = 0.025), so did mortality, bleeding, and ARF. When compared to non-diabetes patients, those with diabetes were older and had a higher adjusted risk of mortality, stroke, and ARF [adjusted OR= 1.115 (1.06–1.17), 1.140 (1.05–1.23), 1.217 (1.18–1.26); respectively].

Conclusion

The recent temporal trend of aortic valve replacement in patients with diabetes shows a significant increase in TAVR coupled with a decrease in sAVR. Mortality and other cardiovascular outcomes decreased in both techniques. sAVR, but not TAVR, was associated with higher in-hospital mortality risk.

Tobacco Consumption and High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I in the General Population: The HUNT Study

Background

Cardiac troponins represent a sensitive index of subclinical myocardial injury and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in the general population. Despite positive associations with cardiovascular risk of both cardiac troponins and cigarette smoking, concentrations of cardiac troponin I measured by high‐sensitivity assays (hs‐cTnI) are paradoxically lower in current smokers than in never‐smokers. The impact of smoking intensity and time from smoking cessation on hs‐cTnI remains unknown.

Methods and Results

hs‐cTnI concentrations were measured in 32028 subjects free from cardiovascular disease enrolled in the prospective, population‐based HUNT (Trøndelag Health Study). Tobacco habits were self‐reported and classified as never (n=14 559), former (n=14 248), and current (n=3221) smokers. Current smokers exhibited significantly lower concentrations of hs‐cTnI than never‐smokers (P<0.001). In adjusted models, both current smoking (−17.3%; 95% CI, −20.6 to −13.9%) and former smoking (−6.6%; 95% CI, −8.7 to −4.5%) were associated with significantly lower hs‐cTnI concentrations. Among former smokers, higher smoking burden (>10 pack‐years) were associated with lower concentrations of hs‐cTnI. Time since smoking cessation was associated with increasing concentrations of hs‐cTnI in a dose‐dependent manner (P for trend<0.001), and subjects who quit smoking >30 years ago had concentrations of hs‐cTnI comparable with those of never‐smokers.

Conclusions

In the general population, both current and former cigarette smoking is associated with lower concentrations of hs‐cTnI. In former smokers, there was a dose‐response relationship between pack‐years of smoking, and hs‐cTnI. Time since smoking cessation was associated with increasing concentrations of hs‐cTnI, indicating a continuum of hs‐cTnI from current smoker to never‐smokers.

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of People over 65 Years of Age

Quality of life is an important indicator of the treatment process, lifestyle, and influence of many other factors, both exogenous and endogenous, on the body. Determining the quality of life of healthy people (health-related quality of life (HRQoL), considering the influence of various factors, is important due to the possibility of making subsequent comparative analyses regarding the quality of life of people diagnosed with diseases. In addition, it allows us to identify the most crucial factors influencing the HRQoL in the process of “good aging”. The purpose of the study was to present the HRQoL level of healthy people over 65 years of age. HRQoL was measured in five-year age groups (66–70, 71–75, 76–80, >80 years), considering the analyzed factors. Finally, 1038 healthy people were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: no diagnosed chronic diseases, no permanent treatment in specialist clinics, and no constant administration of medicaments. A comparative analysis was carried out, assuming a 5% conclusion error. The SF-36 questionnaire assessing the main dimensions of the quality of life was the tool used in the study to assess the HRQoL: the physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS) and index of life quality (ILQ). The factors significantly differentiating the average level of HRQoL were as follows: gender, place of residence, education, employment status, smoking and physical activity. Relationship status (p > 0.05) was one of the analyzed factors that did not influence the differences in the average level of the perceived HRQoL. More than a twofold greater chance of a higher HRQoL was reported in the group of men under 75 years of age (66–70: OR = 2.01; 71–75: OR = 2.52) compared to the group of women. The same relationship was noted in the case of higher education in respondents up to the age of 80 (66–70: OR = 1.56; 71–75: OR = 2.16; 76–80: OR = 2.74). Smoking by people over 80 years of age significantly increased the chances of a higher HRQoL in each of the dimensions (PCS: OR = 4.09; MCS: OR = 12.64; ILQ: OR = 5.79). Age as a non-modifiable factor significantly differentiates the level of the HRQoL of healthy people over 65 years of age. The results of the conducted study on HRQoL can be helpful when comparing the HRQoL of healthy people with a group of people with chronic diseases.

Association Between Initiation, Intensity, and Cessation of Smoking and Mortality Risk in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: A Cohort Study

Objectives: To examine the effect of smoking status, smoking intensity, duration of smoking cessation and age of smoking initiation on the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality among cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients.

Design: A population-based prospective cohort study.

Setting: The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) in the U.S. that were linked to the National Death Index (NDI).

Participants: 66,190 CVD participants ≥ 18 years of age who were interviewed between 1997 and 2013 in the NHIS linked to the NDI through December 31, 2015.

Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality and the secondary outcome was cause-specific mortality including CVD mortality and cancer mortality.

Results: During the mean follow-up of 8.1 years, we documented 22,518 deaths (including 6,473 CVD deaths and 4,050 cancer deaths). In the overall CVD population, former and current smokers had higher risk of all-cause (Former smokers: hazard ratios (HRs), 1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.21–1.31, P < 0.001; Current smokers: HRs, 1.96; 95%CI, 1.86–2.07, P < 0.001), CVD (Former smokers: HRs, 1.12; 95%CI, 1.05–1.21, P = 0.001; Current smokers: HRs, 1.80; 95%CI, 1.64–1.97, P < 0.001) and cancer mortality (Former smokers: HRs, 1.49; 95%CI, 1.35–1.64, P < 0.001; Current smokers: HRs, 2.78; 95%CI, 2.49–3.09, P < 0.001) than never smokers. Furthermore, similar results were observed when the study subjects were stratified according to the type of CVD. Among current smokers, the risk for cancer mortality increased as the daily number of cigarettes increased, regardless of the specific type of CVD. However, the association of the risk for all-cause and CVD mortality with smoking intensity did not present a dose-response relationship. In participants with angina pectoris or stroke, smoking intensity was inversely associated with deaths from CVD. In addition, the risk for all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality declined as years of smoking cessation increased. Finally, the relative risk of all-cause mortality was not significantly different in individuals with a younger age of smoking initiation.

Conclusions: CVD patients who are smokers have an increased risk of all-cause, CVD and cancer mortality, and the risk decreases significantly after quitting smoking. These data further provide strong evidence that supports the recommendation to quit smoking for the prevention of premature deaths among individuals with CVD.

Pathophysiologic Mechanisms of Tobacco Smoke Producing Atherosclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Despite the convincing epidemiologic association between smoking and vascular disease, the pathophysiologic mechanisms by which smoking initiates and contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis remain incompletely understood. A precise dose-dependent correlation has never been demonstrated, suggesting that the biological relationship is complex and influenced by individual genetic and possibly environmental factors. Although endothelial dysfunction and intimal damage appear to be central to atherogenesis, how tobacco products cause this effect has not been established. The purpose of this review is to describe the current state of knowledge of the main pathophysiologic pathways of how tobacco smoking abets atherosclerosis. Constituents of Tobacco Smoke: Tobacco combustion produces a mixture of organic substances. derived from burning organic materials. The predominant gaseous phase constituents include carbon monoxide, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acrolein, and other carbonyls, as well as nicotine and tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Potential Pathophysiologic Mechanisms: Smoking-induced changes in coronary vasomotor tone, platelet activation, and endothelial integrity are major components of both the development of atherosclerosis and its clinical presentation. Smoking may initiate and accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis by injuring the vascular intima. Other potential mechanisms include intimal damage and endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and injury, thrombosis, lipid abnormalities, and inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Smoking tobacco products contributes measurably to the incidence of acute vascular events and chronic disease. The causative compound, the exact mechanism of injury, and whether the atherogenic effect is modifiable are not known.

Treatment Discontinuation in Patients With Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Undergoing Chemoradiation

PURPOSE

Chemoradiation (CRT) is a definitive treatment option for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Despite its effectiveness, CRT is underused, in part owing to concerns of tolerability and the need for integrated multidisciplinary care. We investigated factors associated with and the impact of treatment discontinuation in patients with MIBC treated with CRT.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

In the US Veterans Affairs' national database, we identified patients with urothelial histology, MIBC (T2-4a/N0-3/M0) diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 and treated with definitive-intent CRT. The primary endpoint of discontinued radiation was evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression. Secondary endpoints of 30-day and 90-day mortality, overall mortality, and nonbladder cancer mortality were evaluated in multivariable models.

RESULTS

Of 369 veterans with MIBC who underwent CRT, 30 patients (8.1%) did not complete radiation. The most common reasons for treatment discontinuation included comorbidities or infections necessitating hospital admission (63.3%) and treatment intolerance or declining performance status (26.7%). In multivariable logistic regression, variables associated with radiation discontinuation were creatinine clearance ≤ 50 (odds ratio [OR], 3.93; 95% CI, 1.63-9.50; P = .002), incomplete transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) (OR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.15-8.63; P = .02), and nonpreferred chemotherapy (OR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.31-8.36; P = .01). In the cohort that discontinued radiation, 30-day mortality was 33.3% and 90-day mortality was 50.0%, with the majority of deaths attributed to nonbladder cancer causes. No patient or tumor variables were associated with either endpoint. In the cohort that completed radiation, 30-day mortality was 2.7% and 90-day mortality was 6.8%. In multivariable analysis, radiation discontinuation was associated with worse overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 2.48; 95% CI, 1.36-4.50; P = .003) and worse nonbladder cancer mortality (HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.24-4.34; P = .008).

CONCLUSIONS

With a low rate of treatment discontinuation, CRT is an effective and feasible treatment option for the typically elderly and comorbid population of patients with MIBC. In addition to identified predictors of treatment discontinuation (poor renal function, incomplete TURBT, etc.), further research is required to develop evidence-based guidelines for optimal patient selection.

Effect of smoking on clinical outcomes in patients receiving rotational atherectomy in calcified coronary lesions: from the ROCK Registry, South Korea

BACKGROUND

Tobacco smoking and its harmful health effects also increase economic burdens globally. Surprisingly, despite the detrimental health consequences of smoking, some studies have shown better survival among smokers compared with non-smokers, a phenomenon called "smoker's paradox". However, the impact of smoking status on clinical outcomes in severe calcified coronary artery disease (CAD) patients has yet to be reported.

OBJECTIVES

Investigate the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes in calcified CAD receiving rotational atherectomy (RA).

DESIGN

Retrospective review of medical records.

SETTING

Multicenter registry in South Korea.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicenter registry included consecutive patients with calcified CAD who underwent RA at nine tertiary centers in Korea between January 2010 and October 2019.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Target-vessel failure (TVF) which included the composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI), and target-vessel revascularization (TVR).

SAMPLE SIZE

583 lesions in 540 patients followed for a median of 16.1 months.

RESULTS

Lesions were divided into two groups: non-smokers (n=472, 81.0%) and smokers (n=111, 19.0%). TVF in the smoker group was significantly more frequent than in non-smoker group (log rank P=.016). The inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis also showed that smoking was significantly associated with a higher incidence of the primary outcome (HR: 1.617; 95% CI: 1.127-2.320; P=.009), cardiac death (HR 1.912; 95% CI: 1.105-3.311; P=.021), myocardial infarction (HR: 3.914; 95% CI: 1.884-8.132; P<.001), TVMI (HR: 3.234; 95% CI: 1.130-9.258; P=.029), and TVR (HR: 1.661; 95% CI: 1.043-2.643; P=.032). However, any bleeding was significantly observed less in the smokers.

CONCLUSION

Smoking is significantly associated with adverse clinical outcomes in CAD patients requiring RA.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective design.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None.

Efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus prasugrel in smokers and nonsmokers with acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus prasugrel according to smoking status in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are not known. We assessed the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor versus prasugrel according to smoking status in patients with ACS undergoing invasive management.

METHODS

This pre-specified analysis of the ISAR-REACT 5 trial included 1349 smokers and 2652 nonsmokers randomized to receive ticagrelor or prasugrel. The primary endpoint was the incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke; the secondary endpoint was the incidence of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 3 to 5 bleeding (both endpoints assessed at 12 months).

RESULTS

There was no significant treatment arm-by-smoking status interaction regarding the efficacy outcome. The primary endpoint occurred in 47 patients (7.0%) in the ticagrelor group and 41 patients (6.2%) in the prasugrel group in smokers (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-1.75; P = 0.510) and in 133 patients (10.2%) in the ticagrelor group and 94 patients (7.2%) in the prasugrel group in nonsmokers (HR = 1.44 [1.10-1.87]; P = 0.007; P for interaction = 0.378). The secondary endpoint occurred in 27 patients (4.6%) in the ticagrelor group and 33 patients (5.6%) in the prasugrel group in smokers (HR = 0.81 [0.49-1.35]; P = 0.412) and in 66 patients (6.0%) in the ticagrelor group and 46 patients (4.4%) in the prasugrel group in nonsmokers (HR = 1.38 [0.94-2.01]; P = 0.097).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ACS undergoing an invasive management strategy, the smoking status did not significantly interact with the relative treatment effect of ticagrelor vs. prasugrel.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT01944800.

Micro-CT-Based Quantification of Extracted Thrombus Burden Characteristics and Association With Angiographic Outcomes in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The QUEST-STEMI Study

Background: Angiographic detection of thrombus in STEMI is associated with adverse outcomes. However, routine thrombus aspiration failed to demonstrate the anticipated benefit. Hence, management of high coronary thrombus burden remains challenging. We sought to assess for the first time extracted thrombotic material characteristics utilizing micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Methods: One hundred thirteen STEMI patients undergoing thrombus aspiration were enrolled. Micro-CT was undertaken to quantify retrieved thrombus volume, surface, and density. Correlation of these indices with angiographic and electrocardiographic outcomes was performed. Results: Mean aspirated thrombus volume, surface, and density (±standard deviation) were 15.71 ± 20.10 mm³, 302.89 ± 692.54 mm², and 3139.04 ± 901.88 Hounsfield units, respectively. Aspirated volume and surface were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with higher angiographic thrombus burden. After multivariable analysis, independent predictors for thrombus volume were reference vessel diameter (RVD) (p = 0.011), right coronary artery (RCA) (p = 0.039), and smoking (p = 0.027), whereas RVD (p = 0.018) and RCA (p = 0.019) were predictive for thrombus surface. Thrombus volume and surface were independently associated with distal embolization (p = 0.007 and p = 0.028, respectively), no-reflow phenomenon (p = 0.002 and p = 0.006, respectively), and angiographically evident residual thrombus (p = 0.007 and p = 0.002, respectively). Higher thrombus density was correlated with worse pre-procedural TIMI flow (p < 0.001). Patients with higher aspirated volume and surface developed less ST resolution (p = 0.042 and p = 0.023, respectively). Conclusions: Angiographic outcomes linked with worse prognosis were more frequent among patients with larger extracted thrombus. Despite retrieving larger thrombus load in these patients, current thrombectomy devices fail to deal with thrombotic material adequately. Further studies of novel thrombus aspiration technologies are warranted to improve patient outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration: QUEST-STEMI trial ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT03429608 Date of registration: February 12, 2018. The study was prospectively registered.

Participation in disease management programs and major adverse cardiac events in patients after acute myocardial infarction: a longitudinal study based on registry data

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are still the main cause of death in the western world. However, diminishing mortality rates of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are motivating the need to investigate the process of secondary prevention after AMI. Besides cardiac rehabilitation, disease management programs (DMPs) are an important component of outpatient care after AMI in Germany. This study aims to analyze outcomes after AMI among those who participated in DMPs and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in a region with overall increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Methods

Based on data from a regional myocardial infarction registry and a 2-year follow-up period, we assessed the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in relation to participation in CR and DMP, risk factors for complications and individual healths well as lifestyle characteristics. Multivariable Cox regression was performed to compare survival time between participants and non-participants until an adverse event occurred.

Results

Of 1094 observed patients post-AMI, 272 were enrolled in a DMP. An association between DMP participation and lower hazard rates for MACE compared to non-enrollees could not be proven in the crude model (hazard ratio = 0.93; 95% confidence interval = 0.65–1.33). When adjusted for possible confounding variables, these results remained virtually unchanged (1.03; 0.72–1.48). Furthermore, smokers and obese patients showed a distinctly lower chance of DMP enrollment. In contrast, those who participated in CR showed a lower risk for MACE in crude (0.52; 0.41–0.65) and adjusted analysis (0.56; 0.44–0.71).

Conclusions

Participation in DMP was not associated with a lower risk of MACE, but participation in CR showed beneficial effects. Adjustment only slightly changed effect estimates in both cases, but it is still important to consider potential effects of additional confounding variables.

Effects of Smoking on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes and Lung Cancer in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Smoking is well-established as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. However, recent studies demonstrated favorable results, including reduced mortality, among smokers, which are referred to as the "smoker's paradox". This study examined the impact of smoking on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

Patients with AMI undergoing PCI between 2004 and 2014 were enrolled and classified according to smoking status. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization.

RESULTS

Among the 10,683 patients, 4,352 (40.7%) were current smokers. Smokers were 10.7 years younger and less likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and prior PCI. Smokers had less MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.594-0.698; p<0.001) and cardiac death (HR, 0.494; 95% CI, 0.443-0.551; p<0.001) compared to nonsmokers during the 5 years in an unadjusted model. However, after propensity-score matching, smokers showed higher risk of MACE (HR, 1.125; 95% CI, 1.009-1.254; p=0.034) and cardiac death (HR, 1.190; 95% CI, 1.026-1.381; p=0.022). Smoking was a strong independent predictor of lung cancer (propensity-score matched HR, 2.749; 95% CI, 1.416-5.338; p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to the unadjusted model, smoking is associated with worse cardiovascular outcome and higher incidence of lung cancer after adjustment of various confounding factors. This result can be explained by the characteristics of smokers, which were young and had fewer comorbidities.

A Literature Review of Cannabis and Myocardial Infarction-What Clinicians May Not Be Aware Of

Increasing legalization and expanding medicinal use have led to a significant rise in global cannabis consumption. With this development, we have seen a growing number of case reports describing adverse cardiovascular events, specifically, cannabis-induced myocardial infarction (MI). However, there are considerable knowledge gaps on this topic among health care providers. This review aims to provide an up-to-date review of the current literature, as well as practical recommendations for clinicians. We also focus on proposed mechanisms implicating cannabis as a risk factor for MI. We performed a comprehensive literature search using the MEDLINE, Cochrane, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Turning Research into Practice (TRIP) PRO databases for articles published between 2000 and 2018. A total of 92 articles were included. We found a significant number of reports describing cannabis-induced MI. This was especially prevalent among young healthy patients, presenting shortly after use. The most commonly proposed mechanisms included increased autonomic stimulation, altered platelet function, vasospasm, and direct toxic effects of smoke constituents. However, it is likely that the true pathogenesis is multifactorial. We should increase our pretest probability for MI in young patients presenting with chest pain. We also recommend against cannabis use in patients with known coronary artery disease, especially if they have stable angina. Finally, if patients are adamant about using cannabis, health care providers should recommend against smoking cannabis, avoidance of concomitant tobacco use, and use of the lowest delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol dose possible. Data quality is limited to that of observational studies and case report data. Therefore, more clinical trials are needed to determine a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.

Smoking and Provision of Smoking Cessation Interventions among Inpatients with Acute Coronary Syndrome in China: Findings from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China-Acute Coronary Syndrome Project

Highlights

Over half of male acute coronary syndrome patients were smokers in China.

Smoking was associated with higher risk of critical cardiac symptoms at admission.

Only 35.3% of smoking patients received smoking cessation interventions in China.

Background:

Smoking cessation is recognized as an effective and cost-effective strategy for improving the prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease. Despite this, few studies have evaluated the smoking prevalence and provision of smoking cessation interventions among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in China.

Objectives:

To evaluate the smoking prevalence, clinical conditions and in-hospital outcomes associated with smoking, and the provision of smoking cessation interventions among ACS patients in China.

Methods:

This registry study was conducted using data from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China project, a collaborative nationwide registry of the American Heart Association and the Chinese Society of Cardiology. Our study sample comprised 92,509 ACS inpatients admitted between November 2014 and December 2018. A web-based data collection platform was used to report required data.

Results:

Smoking prevalence among male and female ACS patients was 52.4% and 8.0%, respectively. Patients younger than 45 years had the highest smoking rate (men: 68.0%; women: 14.9%). Compared with non-smokers, smokers had an earlier onset age of ACS and a greater proportion of severe clinical manifestations at admission, including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (67.8% versus 54.8%; p < 0.001) and substantially elevated myocardial injury markers (86.1% versus 83.0%; p < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, smoking was associated with higher risk of critical cardiac symptoms at admission (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.08–1.20; p < 0.001) and had no direct association with in-hospital outcomes (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.84–1.02; p = 0.107) of ACS patients. Of 37,336 smokers with ACS, only 35.3% received smoking cessation interventions before discharge. There was wide variation in provision of smoking cessation interventions across hospitals (0%–100%).

Conclusions:

Smoking is highly prevalent among ACS patients in China. However, smoking cessation interventions are not widely adopted in clinical practice in China as part of formal treatment strategies for ACS patients, indicating an important target for quality improvement.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02306616.

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I and T Response Following Strenuous Activity is Attenuated by Smokeless Tobacco: NEEDED (North Sea Race Endurance Exercise Study) 2014

Background

Use of snus, a smokeless tobacco product, is increasing in Scandinavia. Strenuous physical activity is associated with an acute increase in high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin (swhs‐cTn) concentrations. Current smoking is associated with lower hs‐cTn, but whether this also holds true for smokeless tobacco and whether tobacco affects the hs‐cTn response to exercise remain unknown.

Methods and Results

We measured hs‐cTnI and hs‐cTnT concentrations in 914 recreational athletes before and 3 and 24 hours after a 91‐km bicycle race. Self‐reported snus tobacco habits were reported as noncurrent (n=796) and current (n=118). The association between snus use and change in log‐transformed hs‐cTnI and hs‐cTnT concentrations (ie, the differences between concentrations at baseline and 3 hours and 24 hours ) were assessed by multivariable linear regression analysis. Concentrations of hs‐cTn at baseline were lower in current than in noncurrent snus users (hs‐cTnI median, 1.7 ng/L; Q1 to Q3: 1.6–2.3 versus 2.0 ng/L; Q1 to Q3: 1.6–3.2 [P=0.020]; and hs‐cTnT: median, 2.9 ng/L, Q1 to Q3: 2.9–3.5 versus 2.9 ng/L, Q1 to Q3: 2.9–4.3 [P=0.021]). In fully adjusted multivariable models, use of snus was associated with lower change in hs‐cTn concentrations from baseline to 3 hours (hs‐cTnI: −29% [P=0.002], hs‐cTnT: −18% [P=0.010]) and 24 hours (hscTnI: −30% [P=0.010], hs‐cTnT −19%, [P=0.013]).

Conclusions

Resting hs‐cTn concentrations are lower and the exercise‐induced cardiac troponin response is attenuated in current users of smokeless tobacco compared with nonusers. Further insight into the pathophysiological processes underlying the attenuated cardiac troponin response to exercise in tobacco users is needed.

Registration

URL: https://www.clini​caltr​ials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02166216.

Impacts of smoking status on the clinical outcomes of coronary non-target lesions in patients with coronary heart disease: a single-center angiographic study

Background

Coronary atherosclerotic plaque could go through rapid progression and induce adverse cardiac events. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of smoking status on clinical outcomes of coronary non-target lesions.

Methods

Consecutive patients with coronary heart disease who underwent two serial coronary angiographies were included. All coronary non-target lesions were recorded at first coronary angiography and analyzed using quantitative coronary angiography at both procedures. Patients were grouped into non-smokers, quitters, and smokers according to their smoking status. Clinical outcomes including rapid lesion progression, lesion re-vascularization, and myocardial infarction were recorded at second coronary angiography. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the association between smoking status and clinical outcomes.

Results

A total of 1255 patients and 1670 lesions were included. Smokers were younger and more likely to be male compared with non-smokers. Increase in percent diameter stenosis was significantly lower (2.7 [0.6, 7.1] % vs. 3.5 [0.9, 8.9]%) and 3.4 [1.1, 7.7]%, P = 0.020) in quitters than those in smokers and non-smokers. Quitters tended to have a decreased incidence of rapid lesions progression (15.8% [76/482] vs. 21.6% [74/342] and 20.6% [89/431], P = 0.062), lesion re-vascularization (13.1% [63/482] vs. 15.5% [53/432] and 15.5% [67/431], P = 0.448), lesion-related myocardial infarction (0.8% [4/482] vs. 2.6% [9/342] and 1.4% [6/431], P = 0.110) and all-cause myocardial infarction (1.9% [9/482] vs. 4.1% [14/342] and 2.3% [10/431], P = 0.128) compared with smokers and non-smokers. In multivariable analysis, smoking status was not an independent predictor for rapid lesion progression, lesion re-vascularization, and lesion-related myocardial infarction except that a higher risk of all-cause myocardial infarction was observed in smokers than non-smokers (hazards ratio: 3.00, 95% confidence interval: 1.04–8.62, P = 0.042).

Conclusion

Smoking cessation mitigates the increase in percent diameter stenosis of coronary non-target lesions, meanwhile, smokers are associated with increased risk for all-cause myocardial infarction compared with non-smokers.

Impact of smoking on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients after coronary revascularization with a percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Although cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, inconsistent results have been published in the literature on its impacts on the cardiovascular health of patients after coronary revascularization with a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). We performed a comprehensive electronic database search through July 2018. Studies reporting the risk estimates of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients after coronary revascularization with PCI or CABG on the basis of smoking status were selected. Multivariate-adjusted relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using random-effects models with inverse variance weighting. Data from 37 records including 126 901 participants were finally collected. Overall, the pooled RR (95% CI) associated with cigarette smoking was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.09-1.47) for all-cause mortality, 1.08 (95% CI: 0.92-1.28) for major adverse cardiovascular events, 0.96 (95% CI: 0.69-1.35) for cardiovascular mortality and 1.15 (95% CI: 0.81-1.64) for myocardial infarction. The increased risk of all-cause mortality was also observed in former smokers compared with those who had never smoked (RR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.03-1.38). Furthermore, the negative effects of cigarette smoking on all-cause mortality were also observed in most subgroups. Cigarette smoking has been shown to increase the likelihood of all-cause mortality in patients after coronary revascularization with PCI or CABG. Smoking cessation is essential for PCI or CABG patients to manage their coronary artery disease.

Rates, predictors and the impact of cannabis misuse on in-hospital outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (from the National Inpatient Sample)

BACKGROUND

Whether cannabis use worsens outcomes in coronary heart disease is unknown and no previous study has evaluated the outcomes for patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) according to cannabis use.

METHODS

We analysed patients in the National Inpatient Sample between 2004 and 2014 who underwent PCI and evaluated rates, predictors and outcomes of patients according to cannabis misuse defined by cannabis abuse or dependence.

RESULTS

A total of 7 306 012 patients were included and 32 765 cannabis misusers (0.4%). Cannabis misusers were younger (49.5 vs 64.6 years, P < .001) and were more likely to be male (82.7% vs 66.3%, P < .001). There was also a greater proportion of patients who were of black ethnicity in the cannabis misuse group (27.7% vs 7.9%, P < .001) and fewer elective admissions (7.8% vs 27.6%, P < .001). There was no difference in in-hospital mortality (OR 1.06 95% CI 0.80-1.40, P = .67), bleeding (OR 0.94 95% CI 0.77-1.15, P = .55) and stroke/transient ischaemic attack (OR 1.19 95% CI 0.98-1.45, P = .084) compared with non-cannabis misusers. Cannabis misusers had significantly lower odds of in-hospital vascular complications (OR 0.73 95% CI 0.58-0.90, P = .004).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that cannabis misusers are more likely to be male, of black ethnicity and from the lowest quartile of income, but there was no evidence that cannabis misuse is associated with worse periprocedural outcomes following PCI when controlling for key proxies of health status.

Impact of Smoking on Platelet Reactivity and Clinical Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background:

Smoking is a potent risk factor for coronary artery disease; however, prior studies describe increased platelet inhibition with clopidogrel among smokers, and some studies report improved outcomes among smokers, a finding described as the smoker’s paradox. This study assessed the relationship between platelet reactivity and clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions among current smokers and nonsmokers.

Methods:

ADAPT-DES (Assessment of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Drug-Eluting Stents) was a prospective, multicenter registry of patients treated with coronary drug-eluting stents. Platelet reactivity was assessed by the VerifyNow point-of-care assay; high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as P2Y12 reaction units >208. A propensity-adjusted multivariable analysis was performed to determine the relationship between current smoking, platelet reactivity, and subsequent adverse events.

Results:

Among 8582 patients, 22.6% were active smokers at the time of their percutaneous coronary intervention procedure. Current smokers were younger and had fewer comorbidities compared with nonsmokers. Current smokers had lower mean P2Y12 reaction units and lower rates of HPR compared with nonsmokers. Current smokers had similar rates of adverse events compared with nonsmokers. HPR was associated with higher rates of adverse events for both smokers and nonsmokers; however, there was evidence of interaction between smoking status and the effect of HPR. Smokers with HPR had significantly higher rates of stent thrombosis. Adverse event rates were highest among current smokers with HPR.

Conclusions:

Current smoking was associated with lower P2Y12 reaction units and lower rates of HPR on average; however, the combination of current smoking and HPR was associated with high rates of stent thrombosis.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT00638794.

The impact of cigarette smoking on infarct location and in-hospital outcome following acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Introduction: Smoking, which is a major modifiable risk factor for coronary artery diseases, affects cardiovascular system with different mechanisms. We designed this study to investigate the association of smoking with location of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and short-term outcomes during hospitalization.

Methods: In 1017 consecutive patients with anterior/inferior STEMI, comprehensive demographic, biochemical data, as well as clinical complications and mortality rate, were recorded. Patients were allocated into two groups based on smoking status and compared regarding the location of myocardial infarction, the emergence of clinical complications and in-hospital mortality in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results: Among 1017 patients, 300 patients (29.5%) were smoker and 717 patients (70.5 %) were non-smoker. Smokers were significantly younger and had lower prevalence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. Inferior myocardial infarction was considerably more common in smokers than in non-smokers (45.7% vs. 36%, P = 0.001). Heart failure was developed more commonly in non-smokers (33.9% vs. 20%, P = 0.001). In-hospital mortality was significantly lower in smokers (6.7% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.001). After adjustment for confounding variables, smoking was independently associated with inferior myocardial infarction and lower heart failure [odds ratio: 1.44 (1.06-1.96), P = 0.01 and odds ratio: 0.61 (0.40-0.92), P = 0.02, respectively]. However, in-hospital mortality was not associated with smoking after adjustment for other factors [odds ratio: 0.69 (0.36-1.31), P = 0.2].

Conclusion: Smoking is independently associated with inferior myocardial infarction. Although smokers had lower incidence of heart failure, in-hospital mortality was not different after adjustment for other factors.

Usefulness of Calculation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors to Predict Outcomes in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Cardiovascular risk factors contribute differently to short-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI); hypertension and diabetes increase adverse outcomes, whereas hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity seem to paradoxically decrease these in post-MI patients. We aimed to investigate whether a simple calculation of conventional risk factors, PARADOCS (Pressure of ARtery elevAtion, Diabetes, Obesity, Cholesterol, Smoking) score, would improve the ability to predict major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) in post-MI patients. Between November 2011 and December 2015, 13,104 patients with diagnosis of AMI were analyzed in this study from Korean AMI Registry - National Institute of Health database. PARADOCS score was calculated as follows: (number of nonparadoxical risk factors - number of paradoxical risk factors) + 3 where nonparadoxical risk factors are hypertension and diabetes, and paradoxical risk factors are hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity. PARADOCS score was significantly greater in patients with 1-year MACCEs compared with those without MACCEs (3.43 ± 1.03 vs 2.88 ± 1.11, p <0.001). In Cox proportional hazards model, PARADOCS score was an independent predictor of 1-year MACCEs (hazards ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 1.30; p <0.001) after adjusting for confounding variables. In Kaplan-Meier survival curve, patients with greater PARADOCS score had worse clinical outcome. In conclusion, although it needs more validation, a simple calculation of risk factors, PARADOCS score, could provide useful prognostic information of MI patients to clinicians.

Association between smoking and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction: results from a prospective, multicentre, observational study in China

INTRODUCTION

Smoking is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of smoking on in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who are managed by contemporary treatment is still unclear.

METHODS

A cohort study was conducted using data from the China AMI registry between 2013 and 2016. Eligible patients were diagnosed with AMI in accordance with the third universal definition of MI. Propensity score (PS) matching and multivariable logistic regression were used to control for confounders. Subgroup analysis was performed to examine whether the association between smoking and in-hospital mortality varies according to baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 37 614 patients were included. Smokers were younger and more frequently men with fewer comorbidities than non-smokers. After PS matching and multivariable log regression analysis were performed, the difference in in-hospital mortality between current smokers versus non-smokers was reduced, but it was still significant (5.1% vs 6.1%, p=0.0045; adjusted OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.88, p<0.001). Among all subgroups, there was a trend towards lower in-hospital mortality in current or ex-smokers compared with non-smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking is associated with lower in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI, even after multiple analyses to control for potential confounders. This 'smoker's paradox' cannot be fully explained by confounding alone.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01874691.

Trends of Cardiac Complications in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Analysis of the United States National Inpatient Sample; 2005-2014

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory condition. Chronic inflammation is associated with atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease. But sparse data are available regarding the trends of cardiovascular diseases and complications in RA. We conducted a National Inpatient Sample database analysis to demonstrate the trends of cardiac complications in patients with RA.

METHODS

We used National Inpatient Sample data from 2005 to 2014 to identify admissions with the diagnosis of RA and identified who had associated cardiovascular complications also. The International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision-Clinical Modification codes were used for the diagnoses of RA; congestive heart failure (CHF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and atrial fibrillation (AF).

RESULTS

A statistically significant increasing trend of AMI, CHF, and AF was found. Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with AMI were age (OR 1.03, CI 1.02-1.04; P < 0.001), COPD (OR 1.67, CI 1.40-2.00; P < 0.001), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.207, CI 1.71-2.86; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.42, CI 1.16-1.75; P = 0.001), and alcohol abuse (OR 2.73, CI 1.73-4.32; P < 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with CHF were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, confidence interval [CI] 1.017-1.024; P < 0.001]), COPD (OR 1.09, CI 1.01-1.18; P = 0.023), cerebrovascular disease (OR 1.67, CI 1.44-1.95; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.16, CI 1.07-1.27; P = 0.001). Independent predictors of mortality in RA patients with AF were age (OR 1.02, CI 1.02-1.03; P < 0.001), race (OR 1.16, CI 1.02-1.31; P = 0.022), COPD (OR 1.56, CI 1.42-1.71; P < 0.001), peripheral arterial disease (OR 1.34, CI 1.16-1.53; P < 0.001), cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.27, CI 1.0-2.58; P < 0.001), renal disease (OR 1.60, CI 1.44-1.80; P < 0.001). The mortality trend has increased significantly in the CHF (P = 0.025) and AF (P = 0.042) groups during this study period.

CONCLUSIONS

We have found a significant increase in trend of cardiovascular complications in RA patients. The proportion of patients, with cardiovascular comorbidities, have also been increased significantly.

Smoking and TAVR

See Article Qintar et al.

The impact of smoking on mortality after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective cohort outcome study at 3 years

The "smoker's paradox", where smokers have improved survival post-myocardial infarction, was predominantly observed in the thrombolytic era. However, evidence for the smoker's paradox in the current era of PCI therapy is both limited and inconsistent. We aimed to examine the effect of smoking status on survival in unselected ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients managed by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data were collected for all patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI at The South Yorkshire Cardiothoracic Centre, UK over a 5-year period between 2009 and 2014. Differences in survival by smoking status were assessed before and after adjustment for differences in baseline variables using a Kaplan-Meier curve and a Cox regression analysis, respectively. A total of 3133 STEMI patients were included in the study. After adjustment for differences in baseline variables, smoking was associated with a significantly increased mortality (hazard ratio 1.35 (95% CI 1.04-1.74)) compared to never smokers after 3 years. The risk for ex-smokers (hazard ratio 0.99 (0.76-1.28)) was similar to never smokers. There were no significant differences in survival by smoking status at 30 days and 1 year. In this large registry of STEMI patients managed by primary PCI, smokers had a significantly higher 3-year mortality than non-smokers. This study is the first to not only dispel the existence of the smoker's paradox, but to highlight a high-risk subgroup who may warrant tailored secondary prevention treatment, including smoking cessation.

Risk stratification model for in-hospital death in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide retrospective cohort study in Japan

OBJECTIVES

To provide an accurate adjustment for mortality in a benchmark, developing a risk prediction model from its own dataset is mandatory. We aimed to develop and validate a risk model predicting in-hospital mortality in a broad spectrum of Japanese patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study was conducted.

SETTING

The Japanese-PCI (J-PCI) registry includes a nationally representative retrospective sample of patients who underwent PCI and covers approximately 88% of all PCIs in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

Overall, 669 181 patients who underwent PCI between January 2014 and December 2016 in 1018 institutes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

In-hospital death.

RESULTS

The study population (n=669 181; mean (SD) age, 70.1(11.0) years; women, 24.0%) was divided into two groups: 50% of the sample was used for model derivation (n=334 591), while the remaining 50% was used for model validation (n=334 590). Using the derivation cohort, both 'full' and 'preprocedure' risk models were developed using logistic regression analysis. Using the validation cohort, the developed risk models were internally validated. The in-hospital mortality rate was 0.7%. The preprocedure model included age, sex, clinical presentation, previous PCI, previous coronary artery bypass grafting, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, smoking, renal dysfunction, dialysis, peripheral vascular disease, previous heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Angiographic information, such as the number of diseased vessel and location of the target lesion, was also included in the full model. Both models performed well in the entire validation cohort (C-indexes: 0.929 and 0.926 for full and preprocedure models, respectively) and among prespecified subgroups with good calibration, although both models underestimated the risk of mortality in high-risk patients with the elective procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

These simple models from a nationwide J-PCI registry, which is easily applicable in clinical practice and readily available directly at the patients' presentation, are valid tools for preprocedural risk stratification of patients undergoing PCI in contemporary Japanese practice.

Is the SYNTAX Score II applicable in all percutaneous coronary intervention patients?

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the risk stratification value of the SYNTAX Score II (SS II) in consecutive PCI patients and to analyze whether the predictive ability of SS II was consistent in patients with complex and non-complex coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND

SS II was designed for patients with complex coronary artery disease and has been validated by a number of studies in such patients.

METHODS

The SS II for PCI was assessed in 10,072 consecutive patients who underwent PCI in Fuwai Hospital from January to December 2013. The patients were stratified according to SS II tertiles and divided into two subgroups: one-vessel or two-vessel disease (1 or 2VD) group (n = 5,709) and left main (LM) and/or three-vessel disease (3VD) group (n = 4,363). The endpoint was 30-month all-cause death following PCI procedure.

RESULTS

The high SS II group showed significantly higher 30-month mortality. Multivariate analyses showed that in the all-patients cohort and the two subgroups, SS II was an independent predictor of 30-month mortality (P < 0.0001). Based on receiver operating characteristic curves analysis, SS II showed moderate discrimination ability for 30-month mortality (C-statistics = 0.68, Hosmer-Lemeshow test P value >.05) and appeared to have better discrimination ability in the LM and/or 3VD subgroup (C-statistics = 0.631 vs. 0.722 for 1 or 2VD and LM and/or 3VD subgroups).

CONCLUSIONS

SS II was able to risk-stratify patients and predict 30-month mortality in all PCI patients. The discrimination ability of SS II appeared to be better in the LM and/or 3VD subgroup.

A Low Early High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level Is an Independent Predictor of In-hospital Death in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in samples collected after an overnight fast are diagnostic indicators and well-established predictors of adverse outcomes. However, the relationship between the HDL-C levels in samples collected just after arrival (early HDL-C) and in-hospital mortality remains unknown. The purposes of the present ACS study were to (1) evaluate the association between the early HDL-C levels of patients and in-hospital mortality and (2) compare the early HDL-C level with other well-known determinants associated with in-hospital mortality. Methods This retrospective study surveyed 638 consecutive ACS patients and then assessed the possible determinants of in-hospital mortality. All initial blood samples, including that for early HDL-C, were drawn within one hour of arrival. Results In the present study, the overall in-hospital mortality was 5.9%. A multivariable analysis showed that a low early HDL-C [odds ratio (OR) 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-5.62], elevated troponin T (OR 4.40, 95% CI 1.26-15.29) and high Killip class (OR 15.41, 95% CI 7.29-32.59) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that there the in-hospital outcome for the low early HDL-C group was significantly worse than that for the high early HDL-C group (age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratio 2.40, 95% CI 1.15-5.00, p=0.02). Conclusion ACS patients with low early HDL-C levels had higher in-hospital mortalities than those who did not have low early HDL-C levels. In addition to the already well-known determinants, low early HDL-C should also be considered as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in ACS patients who present to a cardiac care unit.

Tobacco smoking protective effect via remote ischemic preconditioning on myocardial damage after elective percutaneous coronary intervention: Subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial

Background

Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is promising for preventing periprocedural myocardial damage (pMD) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the impact of RIPC on pMD on smokers is not well elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate an association between tobacco smoking and RIPC on pMD in patients planning to undergo PCI.

Methods

This study used data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial involving patients with stable angina who planned to undergo elective PCI. We analyzed data for 262 patients in the control (n = 133) and upper-limb RIPC (n = 129) groups, including 166 current or former smokers. The major outcome was the pMD incidence following PCI, with pMD defined as an elevated level of highly sensitive cardiac troponin T or a creatine kinase myocardial band 12 or 24 h after PCI.

Results

The incidence of pMD was significantly lower in the upper-limb RIPC group than in the control group (28/83 patients [33.8%] vs. 43/83 patients [51.8%], respectively; p = 0.018). In a multiple logistic regression model, tobacco smoking was an independent predictor of interacting with and enhancing the effect of RIPC on reducing the incidence of pMD after PCI (regression coefficient, −0.4 [95% confidence interval, −0.74 to −0.082]; p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Tobacco smoking may have a beneficial effect on RIPC against pMD after PCI.

Meta-Analysis Comparing Outcomes of Smokers Versus Nonsmokers With Acute Coronary Syndrome Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Several studies have found improved mortality in smokers after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) especially in the thrombolytic era. We aimed to assess the association of smoking status with mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ACS treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials since inception through February 15, 2018 and used random effects model for analysis. The outcomes analyzed were all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACE), myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization at 1 month and 1 year. We included 17 randomized and nonrandomized studies with a total of 55,491 patients with 21,989 smokers' and 33,502 nonsmokers. In ACS patients treated with PCI, smokers were found to have lower mortality than nonsmokers at 30-day ([2.3% vs 3.3%; Odds ratio; 0.54; 95% confidence interval: 0.39 to 0.76; p <0.001, I² = 74%] and 1-year [2.3% vs 3.6%; Odds ratio 0.54 (0.3 to 0.7); p <0.001, I² = 77%]. Meta-regression showed lower mortality in smokers was associated with younger age, man gender, and lower prevalence of diabetes mellitus. No significant differences were observed in myocardial infarction, MACE, and target-vessel revascularization between smokers and nonsmokers. In conclusion, smoking is associated with lower mortality but not MACE in ACS patients treated with PCI at 1-month and 1-year. This association with mortality was strongly associated with younger age, man gender, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, and extent of coronary artery disease.

Marijuana use and short-term outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction

Marijuana use is increasing worldwide, and it is ever more likely that patients presenting with acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) will be marijuana users. However, little is known about the impact of marijuana use on short-term outcomes following AMI. Accordingly, we compared in-hospital outcomes of AMI patients with reported marijuana use to those with no reported marijuana use. We hypothesized that marijuana use would be associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes in AMI patients. Hospital records from 8 states between 1994–2013 were screened for patients with a diagnosis of AMI. Clinical profiles and outcomes in patients with reported use of marijuana were compared to patients without reported marijuana use. Short-term outcomes were defined as adverse events that occurred during hospitalization for an admitting diagnosis of AMI. The composite primary outcome included death, intraaortic balloon pump placement, (IABP), mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest, and shock. In total, 3,854 of 1,273,897 AMI patients reported use of marijuana. The marijuana cohort was younger than (47.2 vs. 57.2, respectively) and had less coronary artery disease than the non-marijuana cohort. In multivariable analysis including age, race and common cardiac risk factors, there was no association between marijuana use and the primary outcome (p = 0.53), but marijuana users were more likely to be placed on mechanical ventilation (OR (odds ratio) 1.19, p = 0.004). Interestingly, marijuana-using patients were significantly less likely to die (OR 0.79, p = 0.016), experience shock (OR 0.74, p = 0.001), or require an IABP (OR 0.80, p = 0.03) post AMI than patients with no reported marijuana use. These results suggest that, contrary to our hypothesis, marijuana use was not associated with increased risk of adverse short-term outcomes following AMI. Furthermore, marijuana use was associated with decreased in-hospital mortality post-AMI.

Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) increases the risk of acute myocardial infarction, which can result in cardiogenic shock. Data on the relation of diabetes and the occurrence and prognosis of cardiogenic shock postacute myocardial infarction are scant.

METHODS

Among the National Inpatient Sample patients aged ≥18 years and hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction during the 2012-2014 period, we examined the association between diabetes and the incidence and outcomes of cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction, using multivariable logistic and linear regression models.

RESULTS

Of 1,332,530 hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction, 72,765 (5.5%) were complicated by cardiogenic shock. In acute myocardial infarction patients, cardiogenic shock incidence was higher among those with vs without diabetes (5.8% vs 5.2%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.19; P < .001), with 42.8% (n = 31,135) of patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock having diabetes. Diabetic patients were less likely to undergo revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting) (67.1% vs 68.7%; aOR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-0.96; P = .003). Diabetes was associated with higher in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock (37.9% vs 36.8%; aOR 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09-1.28; P < .001). Among survivors, patients with diabetes had a longer hospital stay (mean ± SEM: 11.6 ± 0.16 vs 10.9 ± 0.16 days; adjusted estimate 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06-1.18; P < .001) and were more likely to be discharged to a skilled nursing home or with home health care (56.0% vs 50.5%; aOR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.07-1.33; P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In a large cohort of acute myocardial infarction patients, preexisting diabetes was associated with an increased risk of cardiogenic shock and worse outcomes in those with cardiogenic shock.

Impact of smoking in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background

The paradox that smokers have better clinical outcomes in cardiovascular diseases remains controversial. No literature exists studying impact of smoking on outcomes following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods

We performed an electronic search of the 2011-2012 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database to identify all TAVR hospitalizations. Outcomes were measured comparing smokers to non-smokers.

Results

A total of 8,345 TAVR hospitalizations were identified with 24% being smokers. Compared to non-smokers, smokers were younger (80.4±8.8 vs. 81.4±9.2 years, P<0.001), were more often men (63.6% vs. 47.8%, P<0.001), and had a higher disease burden. Despite a higher disease burden, smokers had lower post procedure stroke (2.8% vs. 3.1%), hemorrhage events (28.2% vs. 32.0%, P<0.05) and lower all cause in-hospital mortality (1.2% vs. 5.7%, adjusted odds ratio 0.21, 95% CI: 0.13-0.32, P<0.001) compared to non-smokers.

Conclusions

Despite having a higher cardiovascular disease burden, smokers had better outcomes compared to non-smokers. Therefore the smoker's paradox is applicable in the TAVR cohort.