Temporal Trends, Clinical Characteristics, and Outcomes of Emergent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States

Association of Coronary Revascularization Modality and Timing With Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among renal transplant (RTx) recipients, with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) representing a disproportionately high burden. However, the optimal revascularization strategy for NSTE-ACS in RTx recipients remains unclear. This retrospective study analyzed the 2016 to 2021 Nationwide Readmissions Database. RTx recipients (≥18 years) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for NSTE-ACS were included. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, while perioperative complications, unplanned 30- and 90-day readmissions, repeat revascularization, and renal allograft failure were also considered. Multivariable logistic regression and Royston-Parmar models were used to identify the risk-adjusted association of revascularization modality, timing, and outcomes. Of an estimated 3,323 patients, 20.5% underwent CABG and 79.5% PCI. Following adjustment, CABG was associated with higher perioperative complications (AOR 3.46, 95% CI 2.31 to 5.19) and demonstrated a trend toward increased mortality risk (AOR 1.79, 95% CI 0.76 to 4.18). Royston-Parmar analysis demonstrated no difference in freedom from readmission or renal allograft failure within 90 days of discharge, but CABG was associated with a lower hazard of repeat revascularization (HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.76). Timing analysis revealed stable mortality rates across intervals for both modalities. While PCI complications increased with longer delays to revascularization, CABG demonstrated a more stable pattern. In conclusion, our findings suggest that PCI appears to be associated with lower risks of mortality and complications compared to CABG in RTx recipients with NSTE-ACS. However, CABG may offer benefits of reduced risk of repeat revascularization and greater flexibility in timing without compromising renal allograft function.

2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes" incorporates new evidence since the "2013 ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction" and the corresponding "2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes" and the "2015 ACC/AHA/SCAI Focused Update on Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction." The "2025 ACC/AHA/ACEP/NAEMSP/SCAI Guideline for the Management of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes" and the "2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization" retire and replace, respectively, the "2016 ACC/AHA Guideline Focused Update on Duration of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease."

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from July 2023 to April 2024. Clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and other evidence conducted on human participants were identified that were published in English from MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline.

STRUCTURE

Many recommendations from previously published guidelines have been updated with new evidence, and new recommendations have been created when supported by published data.

Preoperative diabetes duration and long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND

The association between preoperative diabetes mellitus (DM) duration and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DM duration at the time of CABG and long-term outcomes, particularly in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Using data from South Korea's National Health Insurance Service database, the study included adult patients who underwent first-time isolated CABG with an acute myocardial infarction diagnosis between 2005 and 2021. Patients with DM were categorized based on whether their diagnosis occurred within 5 years before CABG. Patients with impaired fasting glucose were also classified. The primary outcome was all-cause overall mortality. The secondary outcome was repeat revascularization.

RESULTS

A total of 21,957 patients (median age, 65.0 years) were categorized into 4 groups: without DM, impaired fasting glucose, DM diagnosed within 5 years, and DM diagnosed more than 5 years before CABG. Patients with DM <5 years had a higher overall mortality rate (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.24), and those with DM >5 years had an even higher rate (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.27-1.46) compared with those without DM. The incidence rate of repeat revascularization was significantly higher in those with DM >5 years (hazard ratio, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.89-2.28).

CONCLUSIONS

The duration of DM before CABG is correlated with worse clinical outcomes. A prolonged period of DM before CABG may be a significant risk factor for poorer long-term outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Coronary artery bypass grafting in acute coronary syndromes: modern indications and approaches

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 1.2 million hospitalizations annually in the U.S. This review aims to explore the contemporary evidence regarding revascularization strategies, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), in ACS patients. It also addresses the unresolved questions concerning the optimal procedural aspects of surgery and antithrombotic therapy for secondary prevention postsurgery.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies highlight that while PCI is generally preferred for its timeliness in high-risk non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) patients, CABG offers a benefit in terms of cardiovascular events in those with multivessel disease, particularly in the presence of diabetes and higher coronary disease complexity. For ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), CABG is less frequently utilized due to the preference for primary PCI, but it remains crucial for patients with complex anatomy or failed PCI. Furthermore, the optimal timing and type of antiplatelet therapy post-CABG remain controversial, with current evidence supporting the use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) to reduce ischemic events but necessitating careful management to balance bleeding risks.

SUMMARY

In patients with ACS, the choice between PCI and CABG depends on the complexity of coronary disease and patient comorbidities. CABG is particularly beneficial for multivessel disease in NSTE-ACS and specific STEMI cases where PCI is not feasible. The management of antiplatelet therapy postsurgery requires a nuanced approach to minimize bleeding risks while preventing thrombotic complications. Further randomized clinical trials are needed to solidify these findings and guide clinical practice.

The Price We Pay for Progression in Shock Care: Economic Burden, Accessibility, and Adoption of Shock-Teams and Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high in-hospital and long-term mortality and morbidity that results in significant socio-economic impact. Due to the high costs associated with CS care, it is important to define the short- and long-term burden of this disease state on resources and review strategies to mitigate these.

RECENT FINDINGS

In recent times, the focus on CS continues to be on improving short-term outcomes, but there has been increasing emphasis on the long-term morbidity. In this review we discuss the long-term outcomes of CS and the role of hospital-level and system-level disparities in perpetuating this. We discuss mitigation strategies including developing evidence-based protocols and systems of care, improvement in risk stratification and evaluation of futility of care, all of which address the economic burden of CS. CS continues to remain the pre-eminent challenge in acute cardiovascular care, and a combination of multi-pronged strategies are needed to improve outcomes in this population.

Timing of coronary artery bypass grafting after myocardial infarction influences late survival

Objectives

The role of timing of coronary artery bypass grafting after acute myocardial infarction on early and late outcomes remains uncertain.

Methods

We reviewed 1631 consecutive adult patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with information on timing of acute myocardial infarction. Early and late mortality were compared between patients receiving coronary artery bypass grafting within 24 hours after acute myocardial infarction, between 1 and 7 days after acute myocardial infarction, and more than 7 days after acute myocardial infarction. Sensitivity analyses were performed in subgroups of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and other high-risk groups.

Results

A total of 124 patients (5.7%) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting within 24 hours, 972 patients (51.2%) received coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days after acute myocardial infarction, and 535 patients (43.2%) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting more than 7 days after acute myocardial infarction. Overall operative mortality was 2.7% with comparable adjusted early mortality among 3 groups. Over a median follow-up of 13.5 years (interquartile range, 8.9-17.1), compared with patients receiving coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days after acute myocardial infarction, those receiving coronary artery bypass grafting at 7 days had greater adjusted risk for late overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.39, 95% CI, 1.16-1.67; P < .001), whereas those receiving coronary artery bypass grafting within 24 hours had comparable risk of late overall mortality (hazard ratio, 1.12, 95% CI, 0.86-1.47; P = .39). Timing of coronary artery bypass grafting was associated with late mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (patients receiving coronary artery bypass grafting at >7 days had a higher risk of late mortality [hazard ratio, 1.38, 95% CI, 1.14-1.67, P < .001] compared with those receiving coronary artery bypass grafting between 1 and 7 days), but not in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Early revascularization through coronary artery bypass grafting within 7 days during the same hospitalization appears beneficial, especially for patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Characteristics and In-Hospital Outcomes of Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting during Hospitalization for ST-Segment Elevation or Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

PURPOSE

Little is known about the outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the current percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) era.

METHODS

We analyzed 25120 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients hospitalized between January 2011 and December 2016. In-hospital outcomes were compared between patients who underwent CABG during hospitalization and those who did not undergo CABG in the STEMI group (n = 19428) and NSTEMI group (n = 5692).

RESULTS

Overall, CABG was performed in 2.3% of patients, while 90.0% of registered patients underwent primary PCI. In both the STEMI and NSTEMI groups, patients who underwent CABG were more likely to have heart failure, cardiogenic shock, diabetes, left main trunk lesion, and multivessel disease than those who did not undergo CABG. In multivariable analysis, CABG was associated with lower all-cause mortality in both the STEMI group (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26-0.72) and NSTEMI group (adjusted OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.14-0.84).

CONCLUSION

AMI patients undergoing CABG were more likely to have high-risk characteristics than those who did not undergo CABG. However, after adjusting for baseline differences, CABG was associated with lower in-hospital mortality in both the STEMI and NSTEMI groups.

Health Inequities in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Literature: A Scoping Review

Although life saving, health inequities exist regarding access and patient outcomes in Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), especially among marginalized groups. This scoping review's goal is to outline existing literature and highlight gaps for future research. Researchers followed guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. We conducted a search to identify articles published between 2016 and 2022 regarding CABG and inequity groups, defined by the National Institutes of Health. Fifty-seven articles were included in our final sample. Race/Ethnicity was examined in 39 incidences, Sex or Gender 29 times, Income 17 instances, Geography 10 instances, and Education Level 3 instances. Occupation Status 2 instances, and LGBTQ+ 0 times. Important disparities exist regarding CABG access and outcomes, especially involving members of the LGBTQ+, Native American, and Black communities. Further research is needed to address health disparities and their root causes for focused action and improved health of minoritized groups.

Chitosan-Based Scaffolds for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as myocardial infarction (MI), constitute one of the world's leading causes of annual deaths. This cardiomyopathy generates a tissue scar with poor anatomical properties and cell necrosis that can lead to heart failure. Necrotic tissue repair is required through pharmaceutical or surgical treatments to avoid such loss, which has associated adverse collateral effects. However, to recover the infarcted myocardial tissue, biopolymer-based scaffolds are used as safer alternative treatments with fewer side effects due to their biocompatibility, chemical adaptability and biodegradability. For this reason, a systematic review of the literature from the last five years on the production and application of chitosan scaffolds for the reconstructive engineering of myocardial tissue was carried out. Seventy-five records were included for review using the "preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses" data collection strategy. It was observed that the chitosan scaffolds have a remarkable capacity for restoring the essential functions of the heart through the mimicry of its physiological environment and with a controlled porosity that allows for the exchange of nutrients, the improvement of the electrical conductivity and the stimulation of cell differentiation of the stem cells. In addition, the chitosan scaffolds can significantly improve angiogenesis in the infarcted tissue by stimulating the production of the glycoprotein receptors of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. Therefore, the possible mechanisms of action of the chitosan scaffolds on cardiomyocytes and stem cells were analyzed. For all the advantages observed, it is considered that the treatment of MI with the chitosan scaffolds is promising, showing multiple advantages within the regenerative therapies of CVD.

Trends and Outcomes for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in New South Wales from 2008 to 2019

Risk profiles are changing for patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In Australia, little is known of the nature of these changes in contemporary practice and of the impact on patient outcomes. We identified all CABG (n = 40,805) and PCI (n = 142,399) procedures in patients aged ≥18 years in New South Wales, Australia, during 2008 to 2019. Between 2008 and 2019, the age- and gender-standardized revascularization rate increased by 20% (from 267/100,000 to 320/100,000 population) for all revascularizations. The increase in revascularization was particularly driven by a 35% increase (from 194/100,000 to 261/100,000) in PCI, whereas the rate of CABG decreased by 20% (from 73/100,000 to 59/100,000). Mean age and the prevalence of co-morbidities (especially diabetes and atrial fibrillation) increased for patients with PCI in more recent years but remained consistently lower than for patients with CABG. CABGs performed in patients presenting with a non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome halved from 34.3% to 18.7% during the study period, whereas PCIs in this group decreased from 36.5% to 29.6%. Risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality decreased by 7.5 deaths/1,000 procedures per month for CABG but remained unchanged for PCI. Risk-adjusted readmission rates were consistently higher for CABG than for PCI and did not change significantly over time. In conclusion, we observed a dramatic shift over time from CABG to PCI as the revascularization procedure of choice, with the patient base for PCI extending to older and sicker patients. There was a large decrease in mortality after CABG, whereas mortality after PCI remained unchanged.

Outcomes of Emergent Isolated Coronary Bypass Grafting in Heart Failure Patients

Patients with previously diagnosed HF are at greater risk for subsequent morbidity and mortality when hospitalized for an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). The purpose of our study was to describe the time trend of the incidence of emergent CABG in patients with and without HF, the clinical characteristics, outcomes, and the risk factors for mortality of surgical revascularization in the short and medium term. This was a single-center retrospective observational study of patients who underwent isolated emergency CABG from January 2009 to January 2020. A propensity-score matching analysis yielded two comparable groups (n = 430) of patients without (n = 215) and with (n = 215) heart failure. In-hospital mortality did not differ in the two groups (2.8%; p > 0.9); the patients with heart failure presented more frequently with cardiogenic shock, and there was an association with mortality and mechanical circulatory support (OR 16.7−95% CI 3.31−140; p = 0.002) and postoperative acute renal failure (OR 15.9−95% CI 0.66−203; p = 0.036). In the early- and mid-term, heart failure and NSTEMI were associated with mortality (HR 3.47−95% CI 1.15−10.5; p = 0.028), along with age (HR 1.28−95% CI 1.21−1.36; p < 0.001). Surgical revascularization offers an excellent solution for patients with acute coronary syndrome, leading to a good immediate prognosis even in those with chronic heart failure.

Impact of concomitant aortic stenosis on the management and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations in the United States

Objective:

To evaluate the prevalence, management and outcomes of concomitant aortic stenosis (AS) in admissions with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods:

We used the HCUP-NIS database (2000–2017) to identify adult AMI admissions with concomitant AS. Outcomes of interest included prevalence of AS, in-hospital mortality, use of cardiac procedures, hospitalization costs, length of stay, and discharge disposition.

Results:

Among a total of 11,622,528 AMI admissions, 513,688 (4.4 %) were identified with concomitant AS. Adjusted temporal trends revealed an increase in STEMI and NSTEMI hospitalizations with concomitant AS. Compared to admissions without AS, those with AS were on average older, of female sex, had higher comorbidity, higher rates of NSTEMI (78.9 % vs 62.1 %), acute non-cardiac organ failure, and cardiogenic shock. Concomitant AS was associated with significantly lower use of coronary angiography (45.5 % vs 64.4 %), percutaneous coronary intervention (20.1 % vs 42.5 %), coronary atherectomy (1.7 % vs. 2.8 %) and mechanical circulatory support (3.5 % vs 4.8 %) (all p < 0.001). Admissions with AS had higher rates of coronary artery bypass surgery and surgical aortic valve replacement (5.9 % vs 0.1 %) compared to those without AS. Admissions with AMI and AS had higher in-hospital mortality (9.2 % vs. 6.0 %; adjusted OR 1.12 [95 % CI 1.10–1.13]; p <0.001). Concomitant AS was associated with longer hospital stay, more frequent palliative care consultations and less frequent discharges to home.

Conclusions:

In this 18-year study, an increase in prevalence of AS in AMI hospitalization was noted. Concomitant AS was associated with lower use of guideline-directed therapies and worse clinical outcomes among AMI admissions.

Advances in Clinical Cardiology 2021: A Summary of Key Clinical Trials

INTRODUCTION

Over the course of 2021, numerous key clinical trials with valuable contributions to clinical cardiology were published or presented at major international conferences. This review seeks to summarise these trials and reflect on their clinical context.

METHODS

The authors reviewed clinical trials presented at major cardiology conferences during 2021 including the American College of Cardiology (ACC), European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EuroPCR), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), American Heart Association (AHA), European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), TVT-The Heart Summit (TVT) and Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT). Trials with a broad relevance to the cardiology community and those with potential to change current practice were included.

RESULTS

A total of 150 key cardiology clinical trials were identified for inclusion. Interventional cardiology data included trials evaluating the use of new generation novel stent technology and new intravascular physiology strategies such as quantitative flow ratio (QFR) to guide revascularisation in stable and unstable coronary artery disease. New trials in acute coronary syndromes focused on shock, out of hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA), the impact of COVID-19 on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks and optimal duration/type of antiplatelet treatment. Structural intervention trials included latest data on transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and mitral, tricuspid and pulmonary valve interventions. Heart failure data included trials with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, sacubitril/valsartan and novel drugs such as mavacamten for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Prevention trials included new data on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors. In electrophysiology, new data regarding atrial fibrillation (AF) screening and new evidence for rhythm vs. rate control strategies were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

This article presents a summary of key clinical cardiology trials published and presented during the past year and should be of interest to both practising clinicians and researchers.

Management and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction-Cardiogenic Shock in Uninsured Compared With Privately Insured Individuals

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on uninsured patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction-cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS). This study sought to compare the management and outcomes of AMI-CS between uninsured and privately insured individuals.

METHODS

Using the National Inpatient Sample (2000-2016), a retrospective cohort of adult (≥18 years) uninsured admissions (primary payer-self-pay or no charge) were compared with privately insured individuals. Interhospital transfers were excluded. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, temporal trends in admissions, use of cardiac procedures, do-not-resuscitate status, palliative care referrals, and resource utilization.

RESULTS

Of 402 182 AMI-CS admissions, 21 966 (5.4%) and 93 814 (23.3%) were uninsured and privately insured. Compared with private insured individuals, uninsured admissions were younger, male, from a lower socioeconomic status, had lower comorbidity, higher rates of acute organ failure, ST-segment elevation AMI-CS (77.3% versus 76.4%), and concomitant cardiac arrest (33.8% versus 31.9%; all P<0.001). Compared with 2000, in 2016, there were more uninsured (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.13-1.17]; P<0.001) and less privately insured admissions (adjusted odds ratio, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.83-0.87]; P<0.001). Uninsured individuals received less frequent coronary angiography (79.5% versus 81.0%), percutaneous coronary intervention (60.8% versus 62.2%), mechanical circulatory support (54% versus 55.5%), and had higher palliative care (3.8% versus 3.2%) and do-not-resuscitate status use (4.4% versus 3.2%; all P<0.001). Uninsured admissions had higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.55-1.68]; P<0.001) and resource utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

Uninsured individuals have higher in-hospital mortality and lower use of guideline-directed therapies in AMI-CS compared with privately insured individuals.

Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiogenic Shock: An Updated Narrative Review

Acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock (AMI-CS) is associated with high mortality and morbidity despite advancements in cardiovascular care. AMI-CS is associated with multiorgan failure of non-cardiac organ systems. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently seen in patients with AMI-CS and is associated with worse mortality and outcomes compared to those without. The pathogenesis of AMI-CS associated with AKI may involve more factors than previously understood. Early use of renal replacement therapies, management of comorbid conditions and judicious fluid administration may help improve outcomes. In this review, we seek to address the etiology, pathophysiology, management, and outcomes of AKI complicating AMI-CS.