Type 4a myocardial infarction: Incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes

Procedural and one-year outcomes following drug-eluting stent and drug-coated balloon combination for the treatment of de novo diffuse coronary artery disease: the HYPER Study

BACKGROUND

De novo diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD) is a challenging scenario in interventional cardiology with limited treatment option, beside stent implantation. In this context, a hybrid approach, combining the use of drug-eluting stent (DES) and drug-coated balloon (DCB) to treat different segments of the same lesion (e.g. long lesion and/or true bifurcation), might be an interesting and alternative strategy to limit the metal amount. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a hybrid approach in addressing percutaneous treatment of de novo diffuse CAD.

METHODS

This was a prospective, multicenter study including patients affected by de novo diffuse CAD treated with a hybrid approach from April 2019 to December 2020. Angiographic and clinical data were collected. The primary endpoint was the one-year device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE, cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization [ID-TLR]). Periprocedural myocardial infarctions and periprocedural success were included among secondary endpoints.

RESULTS

One hundred six patients were included, mean age was 68.2±10.2 years and 78.3% were male. De novo diffuse CAD consisted of 52.8% long lesions and 47.2% true bifurcation lesions. Significant increase in the final minimal lumen diameters and significant decrease in the final diameter stenosis were observed when compared to the baseline values in both DES- and DCB-target segments. Procedural success was 96.2%. DOCE at one-year was 3.7%, with all the adverse events characterized by ID-TLR.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of DES and DCB could be a safe and effective treatment option for the treatment of de novo diffuse CAD (NCT03939468).

Periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

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

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

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

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

RECENT FINDINGS

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

SUMMARY

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

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

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

Comparison of the incidence of periprocedural myocardial infarction between percutaneous coronary intervention with versus without rotational atherectomy using propensity score-matching

Complications such as slow flow are frequently observed in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with rotational atherectomy (RA). However, it remains unclear whether the high incidence of slow flow results in the high incidence of periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI), reflecting real myocardial damage. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of PMI between PCI with versus without RA using propensity score-matching. We included 1350 elective PCI cases, which were divided into the RA group (n = 203) and the non-RA group (n = 1147). After propensity score matching, the matched RA group (n = 190) and the matched non-RA group (n = 190) were generated. The primary interest was to compare the incidence of PMI between the matched RA and non-RA groups. Before propensity score matching, the incidence of slow flow and PMI was greater in the RA group than in the non-RA group. After matching, the incidence of slow flow was still greater in the matched RA group than in the matched non-RA group (16.8% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.048). However, the incidence of PMI was similar between the matched RA and matched non-RA group (7.4% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.528, standardized difference: 0.086). In conclusion, although use of RA was associated with greater risk of slow flow, use of RA was not associated with PMI after a propensity score-matched analysis. The fact that RA did not increase the risk of myocardial damage in complex lesions would have an impact on revascularization strategy for severely calcified coronary lesions.

Impact of bioprosthetic valve type on peri-procedural myocardial injury and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Peri-procedural myocardial injury (PPMI) is a common complication after transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR), often remaining clinically silent. The role of valve type on PPMI and the association between PPMI and mortality are still unclear. We sought to evaluate predictors and outcome of PPMI after TAVR, and the impact of self-expandable valve (SEV) vs. balloon-expandable valve (BEV) deployment on PPMI. Consecutive patients who underwent successful TAVR in a single-center from January 2014 to December 2019 were included. PPMI was defined according to a modified Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 definition as a post-procedure elevation of troponin (with a peak value ≥ 15-times the upper-reference limit) < 72 h after TAVR. We included 596 patients, of whom 258 (43.3%) were men. Mean age was 83.4 ± 5.5 years. We deployed 368 (61.7%) BEV and 228 (38.3%) SEV. PPMI was observed in 471 (79.0%) patients. At multivariable analysis, SEV (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.64-4.55, p < 0.001), creatinine clearance (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-1.00, p = 0.011), and baseline ejection fraction (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.07, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of PPMI; these findings were also confirmed using a propensity-weighted analysis. Thirty-day and 1-year all-cause mortality rates were 2.5% and 8.1%, respectively. No associations between PPMI and 30-day (p = 0.488) or 1-year (p = 0.139) all-cause mortality were found. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality were increasing EUROSCORE II (HR 1.16 per score point, 95% CI 1.08-1.19, p < 0.001) and life-threatening/major bleeding complications (HR 5.87, 95% CI 1.28-26.58, p = 0.019), whereas EUROSCORE II (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.13, p = 0.031) and acute kidney injury (HR 2.59, 95% CI 1.20-5.35, p = 0.020) were related to 1-year mortality. PPMI is frequent after TAVR, but it does not affect 30-day or 1-year all-cause mortality. SEV implantation is associated with an increased frequency of PPMI.

Prognosis of spontaneous myocardial infarction and various definitions of periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Debate exists on the prognostic significance of spontaneous myocardial infarction (SMI) and periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI), which could be diagnosed by various definitions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 10,724 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were consecutively enrolled and followed up for a median of 2.4 years. We evaluated outcomes of all-cause death, cardiac death, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Patients were stratified into three groups, including the No MI group, PMI group, and SMI group. PMI was defined based on different diagnostic criteria, including the third and fourth universal myocardial infarction (MI) definitions, the society for cardiovascular angiography and interventions (SCAI) definition, and the independent biomarker definition. Regardless of these definitions, the PMI groups were all associated with a significantly increased MACE risk at one year or 1000 days (all P < 0.05), but not all-cause or cardiac death. The SMI group was associated with a markedly elevated risk of death and MACE, but it showed no significant different risk of MACE to PMI using varying definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

According to various PMI definitions, PMI and SMI were associated with an increased risk of MACE, but not death for PMI. No significantly different risk of MACE was observed between PMI and SMI.

Association Between Lipoprotein(a) and Peri-procedural Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

High lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) levels are associated with increased risks of cardiovascular events in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Peri-procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) occurs commonly during the PCI, whereas the relationship between Lp(a) and PMI remains unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate the association between Lp(a) value and the incidence of PMI in a larger-scale diabetic cohort undergoing PCI throughout 2013.

Methods

A total of 2,190 consecutive patients with DM were divided into two groups according to the median Lp(a) level of 175 mg/L: Low Lp(a) group (N = 1095) and high Lp(a) group (N = 1095). PMI was defined based on the 2018 universal definition of myocardial infarction.

Results

Patients with high Lp(a) levels exhibited higher rates of PMI compared to those with low Lp(a) levels (2.3% versus 0.8%, P = 0.006). The multivariable logistic analysis showed that PMI was independently predicted by Lp(a) as a dichotomous variable (OR 2.64, 95%CI 1.22-5.70) and as a continuous variable (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.12-2.20). However, further investigation found that this association was only maintained in men, whose Lp(a) levels were significantly associated with the frequency of PMI, both as a dichotomous variable (OR 3.66, 95%CI 1.34-10.01) and as a continuous variable (OR 1.81, 95%CI 1.18-2.78). Lp(a) wasn't a risk factor of PMI in women.

Conclusions

High Lp(a) levels had forceful correlations with the increased frequency of PMI in male diabetic patients undergoing PCI. Lp(a) might act as a marker of risk stratification and a therapeutic target to reduce PCI-related ischemic events.

Procedural myocardial injury, infarction and mortality in patients undergoing elective PCI: a pooled analysis of patient-level data

AIMS

The prognostic importance of cardiac procedural myocardial injury and myocardial infarction (MI) in chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still debated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed individual data of 9081 patients undergoing elective PCI with normal pre-PCI baseline cardiac troponin (cTn) levels. Multivariate models evaluated the association between post-PCI elevations in cTn and 1-year mortality, while an interval analysis evaluated the impact of the size of the myocardial injury on mortality. Our analysis was performed in the overall population and also according to the type of cTn used [52.0% had high-sensitivity cTn (hs-cTn)]. Procedural myocardial injury, as defined by the Fourth Universal Definition of MI (UDMI) [post-PCI cTn elevation ≥1 × 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL)], occurred in 52.8% of patients and was not associated with 1-year mortality [adj odds ratio (OR), 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.84-1.77), P = 0.21]. The association between post-PCI cTn elevation and 1-year mortality was significant starting ≥3 × 99th percentile URL. Major myocardial injury defined by post-PCI ≥5 × 99th percentile URL occurred in 18.2% of patients and was associated with a two-fold increase in the adjusted odds of 1-year mortality [2.29, 95% CI (1.32-3.97), P = 0.004]. In the subset of patients for whom periprocedural evidence of ischaemia was collected (n = 2316), Type 4a MI defined by the Fourth UDMI occurred in 12.7% of patients and was strongly associated with 1-year mortality [adj OR 3.21, 95% CI (1.42-7.27), P = 0.005]. We also present our results according to the type of troponin used (hs-cTn or conventional troponin).

CONCLUSION

Our analysis has demonstrated that in CCS patients with normal baseline cTn levels, the post-PCI cTn elevation of ≥5 × 99th percentile URL used to define Type 4a MI is associated with 1-year mortality and could be used to detect 'major' procedural myocardial injury in the absence of procedural complications or evidence of new myocardial ischaemia.

Clinical significance of concordance or discordance between fractional flow reserve and coronary flow reserve for coronary physiological indices, microvascular resistance, and prognosis after elective percutaneous coronary intervention

AIMS

We aimed to investigate the impact of concordance or discordance of fractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) on coronary flow profiles and microvascular resistance after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and the prognostic impact of the periprocedural physiological indices.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 249 de novo physiologically significant coronary lesions from 231 patients who underwent FFR, CFR, and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) examinations before and after PCI were included. Baseline characteristics and physiological indices were compared between the concordant (FFR ≤0.80 and CFR <2.0, n=114) and discordant (FFR ≤0.80 and CFR ≥2.0, n=135) groups. Follow-up data were collected to determine predictors of cardiac events. Shortening of the mean transit time, CFR improvement, and decrease in the hyperaemic IMR were all significantly greater in the concordant territories. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that a lower pre-PCI CFR was an independent predictor of adverse events at a median follow-up of 26.5 months, whereas neither the pre- nor post-PCI FFR was predictive of events. Event-free survival was significantly worse in patients with a lower pre-PCI CFR.

CONCLUSIONS

FFR/CFR concordantly abnormal territories provide a favourable benefit as assessed by coronary physiological indices after elective PCI. The pre-PCI CFR may predict adverse cardiac events.

Effects of Curcuminoids on Myocardial Injury After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The rise of cardiac troponin post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with a high risk of long-term cardiovascular events. Previous studies have shown that curcuminoids decreased myocardial injury post-coronary bypass graft surgery through anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We sought to examine whether curcuminoids could prevent PCI-related myocardial injury. One-hundred enrolled patients receiving elective PCI were randomized to obtain curcuminoids or placebo 4 g/day at least 1 day before and after the scheduled PCI. Cardiac troponin-T and 12-lead electrocardiogram were evaluated before PCI and at 24 and 48 h post-PCI. The definitions of PCI-related myocardial injury and myocardial infarction were in line with the third universal definition of myocardial infarction. Baseline characteristics of patients and procedures did not differ between the curcuminoids and placebo groups. The mean age was 63.9 ± 10.8 years. The incidence of PCI-related myocardial injury was not different between curcuminoids and placebo groups (32% vs. 38%, P = .675). The peak high-sensitive cardiac troponin T levels after PCI were not different between the curcuminoids and placebo groups (201.0 ± 547.0 ng/L vs. 187.0 ± 703.9 ng/L respectively, P = .912). Further, the high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels post-PCI were similar in patients receiving curcuminoids and placebo (7.2 ± 18.8 mg/dL vs. 6.6 ± 17.5 mg/dL, respectively, P = .873). We found that short-term treatment with curcuminoids did not reduce the occurrence of PCI-related myocardial injury. We did not observe the role of anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoids in the PCI-related myocardial injury.

Intraluminal Intensity of Blood Speckle on Intravascular Ultrasound, a Novel Predictor of Periprocedural Myocardial Injury After Coronary Stenting

The difference in the intraluminal intensity of blood speckle (IBS) on integrated backscatter-intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS) across a coronary artery stenosis (i.e., ΔIBS) has previously shown a negative correlation with fractional flow reserve, reflecting an impaired coronary blood flow. Periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) after coronary stenting has also been associated with coronary circulatory dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between ΔIBS after coronary stenting and PMI. A total of 180 patients who underwent elective coronary stenting under IVUS guidance for a single lesion were included. Intraluminal IBS was measured using IB-IVUS in cross sections at the ostium of the target vessel and at the distal reference of the stent. ΔIBS was calculated as (distal IBS value) - (ostium IBS value). PMI was defined as an elevation of troponin I >5 times the 99th percentile upper reference limit (>0.45 ng/ml) within 24 hours after the procedure. The mean ΔIBS after coronary stenting was 6.52 ± 5.71. There was a significantly greater use of the rotational atherectomy, the number of stents, the total stent length, and ΔIBS in patients with PMI than those without. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, ΔIBS significantly predicted PMI (area under the curve 0.64, best cut-off value 7.88, p = 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis determined that the total stent length, the use of rotational atherectomy, and ΔIBS were independent predictors of PMI. In conclusion, greater ΔIBS assessed by IB-IVUS was significantly associated with PMI after coronary stenting in patients with a stable coronary artery disease.

Complications after elective percutaneous coronary interventions: A comparison between public and private hospitals

OBJECTIVE

Complications after percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, although institutional discrepancies can occur when public and private hospitals coexist within the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to compare the in-hospital complication rates and mortality in addition to long-term survival following elective PCI in two reference public and private cardiology hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

METHODS

From January 1st 2013 to December 31st 2014, a total of 440 procedures were identified in both hospitals (public: 328 vs. private: 112) and retrospectively analyzed by chart review.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two hospitals regarding the total number of procedures with at least one complication (public: 23.8 vs. private: 17.9%, p=0.2) or in-hospital mortality rates (public: 0.6% vs. private: 0%, p=0.5). Post-procedural renal insufficiency was more frequent in the private hospital, whereas coronary-related complications were more prevalent in the public hospital. After a mean follow up of 30.3 months (SD±9.2), the survival rate was also similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical complications after elective PCI are common both in public and private hospitals. Meticulous pre-procedural clinical assessment and patient selection as well as adherence to guideline-based practices could minimize the risk of PCI-related adverse events.