Impact of Society Guidelines on Trends in Use of Newer P2Y12 Inhibitors for Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, major society guidelines have recommended the use of newer P2Y12 inhibitors over clopidogrel for those undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. It is unclear what impact these recommendations had on clinical practice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

All percutaneous coronary intervention procedures (n=534 210) for acute coronary syndrome in England and Wales (April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2022) were retrospectively analyzed, stratified by choice of preprocedural P2Y12 inhibitor (clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine odds ratios of receipt of ticagrelor and prasugrel (versus clopidogrel) over time, and predictors of their receipt. Overall, there was a significant increase in receipt of newer P2Y12 inhibitors from 2010 to 2020 (2022 versus 2010: ticagrelor odds ratio, 8.12 [95% CI, 7.67-8.60]; prasugrel odds ratio, 6.14 [95% CI, 5.53-6.81]), more so in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction than non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome indication. The most significant increase in odds of receipt of prasugrel was observed between 2020 and 2022 (P<0.001), following a decline/plateau in its use in earlier years (2011-2019). In contrast, the odds of receipt of ticagrelor significantly increased in earlier years (2012-2017, Ptrend<0.001), after which the trend was stable (Ptrend=0.093).

CONCLUSIONS

Over a 13-year-period, there has been a significant increase in use of newer P2Y12 inhibitors, although uptake of prasugrel use remained significantly lower than ticagrelor. Earlier society guidelines (pre-2017) were associated with the highest rates of ticagrelor use for non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome and ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction cases while the ISAR-REACT 5 (Prospective, Randomized Trial of Ticagrelor Versus Prasugrel in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome) trial and later society guidelines were associated with higher prasugrel use, mainly for ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction indication.

Intracoronary imaging guided percutaneous coronary intervention outcomes among individuals with cardiogenic shock

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist around the utility of intracoronary imaging (ICI) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and cardiogenic shock (CS), who are inherently at a high risk of stent thrombosis (ST).

METHODS

All PCI procedures for ACS patients with CS in England and Wales between 2014 and 2020 were retrospectively analysed, stratified into two groups: ICI and angiography-guided groups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine odds ratios (OR) of in-hospital outcomes, including major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE; composite of all-cause mortality, acute stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and reinfarction) and major bleeding, in the ICI-guided group compared with angiography-guided PCI.

RESULTS

Of 15,738 PCI procedures, 1240(7.9%) were ICI-guided. The rate of ICI use amongst those with CS more than doubled from 2014 (5.7%) to 2020 (13.3%). The ICI-guided group were predominantly younger, males, with a higher proportion of non-ST-elevation ACS and ST. MACCE was significantly lower in the ICI-guided group compared with the angiography-guided group (crude: 29.8% vs. 38.2%, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.65 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56-0.76), driven by lower all-cause mortality (28.6% vs. 37.0%, OR 0.65 95% CI 0.55-0.75). There were no differences in other secondary outcomes between groups.

CONCLUSION

ICI use among CS patients has more than doubled over 6 years but remains significantly under-utilized, with less than 1-in-6 patients in receipt of ICI-guided PCI by 2020. ICI-guided PCI is associated with prognostic benefits in CS patients and should be more frequently utilized to increase their long-term survival.

Temporal patterns, characteristics, and predictors of clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for stent thrombosis

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following stent thrombosis (ST) and differences exist based on timing.

AIMS

Our aim was to study the rates of PCI procedures for an ST indication among all patients admitted for PCI at a national level and to compare their characteristics and procedural outcomes based on ST timing.

METHODS

All PCI procedures in England and Wales (2014-2020) were retrospectively analysed and stratified by the presence of ST into four groups: non-ST, early ST (0-30 days), late ST (>30-360 days), very late ST (>360 days). Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to assess the odds ratios (OR) of in-hospital MACCE (major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, a composite of mortality, acute stroke and reinfarction) and mortality.

RESULTS

Overall, 7,923 (1.4%) procedures were for ST indication, most commonly for early ST (n=4,171; 52.6%), followed by very late ST (n=2,801; 35.4%) and late ST (n=951; 12.0%). The rate of PCI for ST declined between 2014 and 2020 (1.7 to 1.4%; p<0.001). Early ST was the only subgroup associated with increased odds of MACCE (OR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05-1.41), all-cause mortality (OR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07-1.36) and reinfarction (OR 2.48, 95% CI: 1.48-4.14), compared with non-ST indication. The odds of mortality were significantly reduced in ST patients with the use of intravascular imaging (OR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48-0.92) and newer P2Y12 inhibitors (ticagrelor: OR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49-0.95; prasugrel: OR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30-0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

PCI for ST has declined in frequency over a 7-year period, with most procedures performed for early ST. Among the different times of ST onset, only early ST is associated with worse clinical outcomes after PCI. Routine use of intravascular imaging and newer P2Y12 inhibitors could further improve outcomes in this high-risk procedural group.

Vascular complications associated with intraaortic balloon pump supported percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and clinical outcomes from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society National PCI Database

INTRODUCTION

The impact of a vascular complication (VC) in the setting of intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) supported PCI on clinical outcomes is unclear.

METHODS

Using data from the BCIS National PCI Database, multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of a VC. Propensity scoring was used to quantify the association between a VC and outcomes.

RESULTS

Between 2007 and 2014, 9,970 PCIs in England and Wales were supported by IABP (1.6% of total PCI), with 224 femoral VCs (2.3%). Annualized rates of a VC reduced as the use of radial access for PCI increased. The independent predictors of a VC included a procedural complication (odds ratio [OR] 2.9, p < .001), female sex (OR 2.3, p < .001), PCI for stable angina (OR 3.47, p = .028), and use of a glycoprotein inhibitor (OR 1.46 [1.1:2.5], p = .04), with a lower likelihood of a VC when radial access was used for PCI (OR 0.48, p = .008). A VC was associated with a higher likelihood of transfusion (OR 5.7 [3.5:9.2], p < .0001), acute kidney injury (OR 2.6 [1.2:6.1], p = .027), and periprocedural MI (OR 3.2 [1.5:6.7], p = .002) but not with adjusted mortality at discharge (OR 1.2 [0.8:1.7], p = .394) or 12-months (OR 1.1 [0.76:1.56], p = .639). In sensitivity analyses, there was a trend towards higher mortality in patients experiencing a VC who underwent PCI for stable angina (OR 4.1 [1.0:16.4], p value for interaction .069). Discussion and Conclusions Although in-hospital morbidity was observed to be adversely affected by occurrence of a VC during IABP-supported PCI, in-hospital and 1-year survival were similar between groups.

A National Evaluation of Emergency Cardiac Surgery After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Postsurgical Patient Outcomes

There is limited national data regarding emergency cardiac surgery for complications sustained after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to examine emergency cardiac surgery after PCI in England and Wales and postsurgical patient outcomes. We analyzed patients in the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society database who underwent PCI between 2007 and 2014 and compared characteristics and outcomes for patients with and without emergency cardiac surgery. A total of 549,303 patients were included in the analysis and 362 (0.07%) underwent emergency cardiac surgery. There was a modest decline in the annual rate of emergency cardiac surgery from 0.09% to 0.06% between 2007 and 2014. Variables associated with emergency cardiac surgery included receipt of circulatory support (Odds ratio (OR) 39.20 95% confidence interval (CI) 27.75 to 55.36), aortic dissection (OR 28.39 95%CI 14.59 to 55.26), coronary dissection (OR 18.50 95%CI 13.60 to 25.18), coronary perforation (OR 7.86 95%CI 4.27 to 14.46), cardiac tamponade (OR 6.77 95%CI 3.13 to 14.66), and on-site surgical cover (OR 2.15 95%CI 1.56 to 2.97). After adjustments, patients with emergency cardiac surgery were at increased odds of 30-day mortality (OR 4.41 95%CI 2.94 to 6.62) and in-hospital major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (OR 1.63 95%CI 1.07 to 2.48). On site surgical cover was independently associated with increased odds of mortality (OR 1.26 95%CI 1.20 to 1.33) following emergency cardiac surgery. In conclusion, emergency cardiac surgery after PCI is a rarely required procedure and in England and Wales there appears to be a decline in recent years. Patients who underwent emergency cardiac surgery have higher risk of adverse outcomes and longer length of hospital stay.

Evaluation of the DAPT Score in Patients Who Undergo Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in England and Wales

This study aims to evaluate the temporal changes in DAPT score and determine whether there is an association between DAPT score and mortality. We analyzed all patients who underwent PCI in England and Wales 2007-2014. Statistical analyses were performed evaluating the DAPT score according to ≥2 and <2 cutoffs. Trends in DAPT score and logistic regressions were used to determine the association between DAPT score and 30 day, 1 year and 3 year mortality. A total of 243,440 patients were included in the analysis and the proportion of patients with DAPT score ≥ 2 was 35.6% (n = 86,550). The trend in DAPT score ≥ 2 showed an overall decline over time from 38.5% in 2007 to 34.5% in 2014. In more recent years, patients were older and a greater proportion were diabetic and had myocardial infarction on presentation and there was a significant decline in patients receiving paclitaxel stent (23.7% in 2007 to 0.2% in 2014). Patients with DAPT score ≥ 2 were more likely to be male, have previous CABG and have glycoprotein IIB/IIIa inhibitors. At 3 year follow up there was a significant difference in death compared DAPT ≥ 2 vs <2 (5.2% vs 5.5%, p < 0.001). DAPT score ≥ 2 was associated with reduced mortality at 1 year (OR 0.87 95%CI 0.82-0.92, p < 0.001) and 3 years (OR 0.82 95%CI 0.79-0.86, p < 0.001) after adjustments. These findings suggest that the DAPT score classifies 1 in 3 patients as having scores ≥2 and these patients have reduced odds of long-term mortality.

Relation of Frailty to Outcomes in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes

This study examines a national cohort of patients with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) for the prevalence of frailty, temporal changes over time, and its association with treatments and clinical outcomes. The National Inpatient Sample database was used to identify US adults with a diagnosis of ACS between 2004 and 2014. Frailty risk was determined using a validated Hospital Frailty Risk Score based on ICD-9 codes using the cutoffs <5, 5 to 15, and >15 for low- (LRS), intermediate- (IRS), and high-risk (HRS) frailty scores, respectively. Logistic regression assessed associations of frailty with clinical outcomes, adjusted for patient co-morbidities and hospital characteristics. From 7,398,572 hospital admissions with ACS between 2004 and 2014, 86.5% of patients had LRS, 13.4% had an IRS, and 0.1% had an HRS. From 2004 to 2014, the prevalence of IRS and HRS patients increased from 8.1% to 18.2% and 0.03% to 0.18%, respectively (p <0.001 for both). The proportion of patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention was greatest among patients with lowest frailty risk scores (LRS 42.9%, IRS 21.0%, and HRS 14.6%). Comparing HRS to LRS, there was a significant increase in bleeding complications (odds ratio [OR] 2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03 to 2.69), vascular complications (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.79 to 2.41), in-hospital stroke (OR 7.84, 95% CI 6.93 to 8.86), and in-hospital death (OR 2.57, 95% CI 2.18 to 3.04). Risk of frailty is common among patients with ACS, is increasing in prevalence, and is associated with differential management strategies, and outcomes during hospitalization. Increased awareness could facilitate frailty-tailored care to minimize the risk of adverse outcomes.

Coronary perforation complicating percutaneous coronary intervention in patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome: An analysis of 1013 perforation cases from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society database

BACKGROUND

The evidence base for coronary perforation occurring during percutaneous coronary intervention in patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS-PCI) is limited and the specific role of acute pharmacology in its clinical presentation unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the BCIS PCI database, data were analysed on all ACS-PCI procedures performed in England and Wales between 2007 and 2014. Multiple regressions were used to identify predictors of coronary perforation and its association with outcomes. Propensity score matching was used to evaluate the association between differing P2Y12 inhibitors or glycoprotein inhibitors (GPI) and CP. During 270,329 ACS-PCI procedures, 1013 coronary perforations were recorded (0.37%) with a stable annual incidence. In multiple regression analysis, covariates associated with increased frequency of coronary perforation included age, female gender, CTO intervention, number and length of stents used, and rotational atherectomy use, whilst differing P2Y12 inhibitors were not predictive. Using propensity score matching, use of a GPI was independently associated with tamponade (OR 1.50, [1.08-2.06], p = 0.014). The adjusted odds ratios for all clinical outcomes were adversely affected by coronary perforation.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary perforation is an infrequent event during ACS-PCI but is closely associated with adverse clinical outcomes. GPI use was associated with higher rates of tamponade.

Vascular Access Site and Outcomes in 58,870 Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With a Previous History of Coronary Bypass Surgery: Results From the British Cardiovascular Interventions Society National Database

OBJECTIVES

Using the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) database, access site choice and outcomes of patients undergoing PCI with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were studied.

BACKGROUND

Given the influence of access site on outcomes, use of radial access in PCI-CABG warrants further investigation.

METHODS

Data were analyzed from 58,870 PCI-CABG procedures performed between 2005 and 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of access site choice and its association with outcomes.

RESULTS

The number of PCI-CABG cases and the percentage of total PCI increased significantly during the study period. Femoral artery (FA) utilization fell from 90.8% in 2005 to 57.6% in 2014 (p < 0.001), with no differences in the rate of change of left versus right radial use. In contemporary study years (2012 to 2014), female sex, acute coronary syndrome presentation, chronic total occlusion intervention, and lower operator volume were independently associated with FA access. Length of stay was shortened in the radial cohort. Unadjusted outcomes including an access site complication (1.10% vs. 0.30%; p < 0.001), blood transfusion (0.20% vs. 0.04%; p < 0.001), major bleeding (1.30% vs. 0.40%; p < 0.001), and in-hospital death (1.10% vs. 0.60%; p = 0.001) were more likely to occur with FA access compared with radial access. After adjustment, although arterial complications, transfusion, and major bleeding remained more common with FA use, short- and longer-term mortality and major adverse cardiac event rates were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

In contemporary practice, FA access remains predominant during PCI-CABG with case complexity associated with it use. FA use was associated with longer length of stay, and higher rates of vascular complications, major bleeding, and transfusion.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist pre-treatment and early post-treatment to minimize reperfusion injury after ST-elevation myocardial infarction: The MINIMIZE STEMI trial

Background

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) therapy has been shown to prevent adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with heart failure. Whether initiating MRA therapy prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) accrues additional benefit of reducing myocardial infarct size and preventing adverse LV remodeling is not known. We aimed to investigate whether MRA therapy initiated prior to reperfusion reduces myocardial infarct (MI) size and prevents adverse LV remodeling in STEMI patients.

Methods

STEMI patients presenting within 12 hours and with a proximal coronary artery occlusion with Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow grade 0 were consented and randomized to either an intravenous bolus of potassium canrenoate, followed by oral spironolactone for 3 months or matching placebo. The primary endpoint was MI size by cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 3 months.

Results

Sixty-seven patients completed the study. There was no significant difference in the final MI size at 3 months between the 2 groups (placebo: 17 ± 11%, MRA: 16 ± 10%, P = .574). There was also no difference in acute MI size (26 ± 16% versus 23 ± 14%, P = .425) or myocardial salvage (26 ± 12% versus 24 ± 8%, P = .456). At follow-up, there was a trend towards an improvement in LVEF (placebo: 49 ± 8%, MRA: 54 ± 11%, P = .053), and the MRA group had significantly greater percentage decrease in LVEDV (mean difference: −12.2 (95% CI −20.3 to −4.4)%, P = .003) and LVESV (mean difference: −18.2 (95% CI −30.1 to −6.3)%, P = .003).

Conclusion

This pilot study showed no benefit of MRA therapy in reducing MI size in STEMI patients when initiated prior to reperfusion, but there was an improvement in LV remodeling at 3 months. Adequately powered studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Antiplatelet drug selection in PCI to vein grafts in patients with acute coronary syndrome and adverse clinical outcomes: Insights from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society database

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate outcomes associated with different P2Y12 agents in Saphenous Vein graft (SVG) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

BACKGROUND

SVG PCI is associated with greater risks of ischemic complications, compared with native coronary PCI. Outcomes associated with the use of potent P2Y12 blocking drugs, Prasugrel and Ticagrelor, in SVG PCI are unknown.

METHODS

Patients included in the study underwent SVG PCI in the United Kingdom between 2007 and 2014 for acute coronary syndrome and were grouped by P2Y12 antiplatelet use. In-hospital major adverse cardiac events, major bleeding and 30-day and 1-year mortality were examined. Multiple imputations with chained equations to impute missing data were used. Adjustment for baseline imbalances was performed using (1) multiple logistic regression (MLR) and (separately) (2) propensity score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

Data weres analyzed from 8,119 patients and most cases were treated with Clopidogrel (n = 7,401), followed by Ticagrelor (n = 497) and Prasugrel (n = 221). In both MLR and PSM models, there was no significant evidence to suggest that either Prasugrel or Ticagrelor was associated with significantly lower 30-day mortality compared with Clopidogrel. The odds ratios reported from the multivariable analysis were 1.22 (95% CI: 0.60-2.51) for Prasugrel vs. Clopidogrel and 0.48 (95% CI: 0.20-1.16) for Ticagrelor vs. Clopidogrel. No significant differences were seen for in-hospital ischemic or bleeding events.

CONCLUSIONS

Our real world national study provides no clear evidence to indicate that use of potent P2Y12 blockers in SVG PCI is associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Persistent sex disparities in clinical outcomes with percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from 6.6 million PCI procedures in the United States

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have reported inconsistencies in the baseline risk profile, comorbidity burden and their association with clinical outcomes in women compared to men. More importantly, there is limited data around the sex differences and how these have changed over time in contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) practice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify all PCI procedures based on ICD-9 procedure codes in the United States between 2004-2014 in adult patients. Descriptive statistics were used to describe sex-based differences in baseline characteristics and comorbidity burden of patients. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to investigate the association between these differences and in-hospital mortality, complications, length of stay and total hospital charges. Among 6,601,526 patients, 66% were men and 33% were women. Women were more likely to be admitted with diagnosis of NSTEMI (non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction), were on average 5 years older (median age 68 compared to 63) and had higher burden of comorbidity defined by Charlson score ≥3. Women also had higher in-hospital crude mortality (2.0% vs 1.4%) and any complications compared to men (11.1% vs 7.0%). These trends persisted in our adjusted analyses where women had a significant increase in the odds of in-hospital mortality men (OR 1.20 (95% CI 1.16,1.23) and major bleeding (OR 1.81 (95% CI 1.77,1.86).

CONCLUSION

In this national unselected contemporary PCI cohort, there are significant sex-based differences in presentation, baseline characteristics and comorbidity burden. These differences do not fully account for the higher in-hospital mortality and procedural complications observed in women.

The Relationship of Body Mass Index to Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes: Does the Obesity Paradox Exist in Contemporary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Cohorts? Insights From the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society Registry

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to determine the relevance of different clinical presentations requiring PCI to this relationship.

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a growing problem, and studies have reported a protective effect from obesity compared with normal BMI for adverse outcomes after PCI.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2013, 345,192 participants were included. Data were obtained from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society registry, and mortality data were obtained through the U.K. Office of National Statistics. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the association between BMI group (<18.5, 18.5 to 24.9, 25 to 30 and >30 kg/m²) and adverse in-hospital outcomes and mortality.

RESULTS

At 30 days post-PCI, significantly lower mortality was seen in patients with elevated BMIs (odds ratio [OR]: 0.86 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80 to 0.93] 0.90 [95% CI: 0.82 to 0.98] for BMI 25 to 30 and >30 kg/m², respectively). At 1 year post-PCI, and up to 5 years post-PCI, elevated BMI (either overweight or obese) was an independent predictor of greater survival compared with normal weight (OR: 0.70 [95% CI: 0.67 to 0.73] and 0.73 [95% CI: 0.69 to 0.77], respectively, for 1 year; OR: 0.78 [95% CI: 0.75 to 0.81] and 0.88 [95% CI: 0.84 to 0.92], respectively, for 5 years). Similar reductions in mortality were observed for the analysis according to clinical presentation (stable angina, unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction).

CONCLUSIONS

A paradox regarding the independent association of elevated BMI with reduced mortality after PCI is still evident in contemporary U.K. practice. This is seen in both stable and more acute clinical settings.

Temporal changes in radial access use, associates and outcomes in patients undergoing PCI using rotational atherectomy between 2007 and 2014: results from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society national database

AIMS

Access site choice for cases requiring rotational atherectomy (PCI-ROTA) is poorly defined. Using the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society PCI database, temporal changes and contemporary associates/outcomes of access site choice for PCI-ROTA were studied.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data were analysed from 11,444 PCI-ROTA procedures performed in England and Wales between 2007 and 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of access site choice and its association with outcomes.

RESULTS

For PCI-ROTA, radial access increased from 19.6% in 2007 to 58.6% in 2014. Adoption of radial access was slower in females, those with prior CABG, and in patients with chronic occlusive (CTO) or left main disease. In 2013/14, the strongest predictors of femoral artery use were age (OR 1.02, [1.005-1.036], P = .008), CTO intervention (OR 1.95, [1.209-3.314], P = .006), and history of previous CABG (OR 1.68, [1.124-2.515], P = .010). Radial access was associated with reductions in overall length of stay, and increased rates of same-day discharge. Procedural success rates were similar although femoral access use was associated with increased access site complications (2.4 vs. 0.1%, P < .001). After adjustment for baseline differences, arterial complications (OR 15.6, P < .001), transfusion (OR 12.5, P = .023) and major bleeding OR 6.0, P < .001) remained more common with FA use. Adjusted mortality and MACE rates were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In contemporary practice, radial access for PCI-ROTA results in similar procedural success when compared to femoral access but is associated with shorter length of stay, and lower rates of vascular complication, major bleeding and transfusion.

Association of different antiplatelet therapies with mortality after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES

Prasugrel and ticagrelor both reduce ischaemic endpoints in high-risk acute coronary syndromes, compared with clopidogrel. However, comparative outcomes of these two newer drugs in the context of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unclear. We sought to examine this question using the British Cardiovascular Interventional Society national database in patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI.

METHODS

Data from January 2007 to December 2014 were used to compare use of P2Y12 antiplatelet drugs in primary PCI in >89 000 patients. Statistical modelling, involving propensity matching, multivariate logistic regression (MLR) and proportional hazards modelling, was used to study the association of different antiplatelet drug use with all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

In our main MLR analysis, prasugrel was associated with significantly lower mortality than clopidogrel at both 30 days (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.97, P=0.014) and 1 year (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.97, P=0.011) post PCI. Ticagrelor was not associated with any significant differences in mortality compared with clopidogrel at either 30 days (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.21, P=0.237) or 1 year (OR 1.058, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.16, P=0.247). Finally, ticagrelor was associated with significantly higher mortality than prasugrel at both time points (30 days OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.44, P=0.020; 1 year OR 1.19 95% CI 1.04 to 1.35, P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In a cohort of over 89 000 patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI in the UK, prasugrel is associated with a lower 30-day and 1-year mortality than clopidogrel and ticagrelor. Given that an adequately powered comparative randomised trial is unlikely to be performed, these data may have implications for routine care.

Increased Radial Access Is Not Associated With Worse Femoral Outcomes for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

The radial artery is increasingly adopted as the primary access site for cardiac catheterization because of patient preference, lower bleeding rates, cost effectiveness, and reduced risk of mortality in high-risk patient groups. Concerns have been expressed that operators/centers have become increasingly unfamiliar with transfemoral access. The aim of this study was to assess whether a change in access site practice toward transradial access nationally has led to worse outcomes in percutaneous coronary intervention procedures performed through the transfemoral access approach.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS) database, a retrospective analysis of 235 250 transfemoral access percutaneous coronary intervention procedures was undertaken in all 92 centers in England and Wales between 2007 and 2013. Recent femoral proportion and recent femoral volume were determined, and in-hospital vascular complications and 30-day mortality were evaluated. After case-mix adjustment, no independent association was observed between 30-day mortality for cases undertaken through the transfemoral access and center femoral proportion, the risk-adjusted odds ratio for recent femoral proportion was nonsignificant (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-1.02; P=0.472 per 0.1 increase in proportion), and similarly recent femoral volume (per 100 procedures) was not found to be significant (odds ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.01; P=0.869). The in-hospital vascular complication rate was 1.0%, and this outcome was not significantly associated with recent femoral proportion after risk-adjustment (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.00; P=0.060 per 0.1 increase in proportion).

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome gains achieved by the national adoption of radial access are not associated with a loss of femoral proficiency, and centers should be encouraged to continue to adopt radial access as the default access site for percutaneous coronary intervention wherever possible in line with current best evidence.

Coronary Perforation Complicating Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With a History of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background—

The evidence base for coronary perforation (CP) occurring during percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with a history of coronary artery bypass surgery (PCI-CABG) is limited and the long-term effects unclear. Using a national PCI database, the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of CP during PCI-CABG were defined.

Methods and Results—

Data were analyzed on all PCI-CABG procedures performed in England and Wales between 2005 and 2013. Multivariate logistic regressions and propensity scores were used to identify predictors of CP and its association with outcomes. During the study period, 309 CPs were recorded during 59 644 PCI-CABG procedures with the incidence rising from 0.32% in 2005 to 0.68% in 2013 ( P <0.001 for trend). Independent associates of perforation in native vessels included age, chronic occlusive disease intervention, rotational atherectomy use, number of stents, hypertension, and female sex. In graft PCI, predictors of perforation were history of stroke, New York Heart Association class, and number of stents used. In-hospital clinical complications including Q-wave myocardial infarction (2.9% versus 0.2%; P <0.001), major bleeding (14.0% versus 0.9%; P <0.001), blood transfusion (3.7% versus 0.2%; P <0.001), and death (10.0% versus 1.1%; P <0.001) were more frequent in patients with CP. A continued excess mortality occurred after perforation, with an odds ratio for 12-month mortality of 1.35 for perforation survivors compared with matched nonperforation survivors without a CP ( P <0.0001).

Conclusions—

CP is an infrequent event during PCI-CABG but is closely associated with adverse clinical outcomes. A legacy effect of perforation on 12-month mortality was observed.

Quantification of both the area-at-risk and acute myocardial infarct size in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction using T1-mapping

BACKGROUND

A comprehensive cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in reperfused ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients can be challenging to perform and can be time-consuming. We aimed to investigate whether native T1-mapping can accurately delineate the edema-based area-at-risk (AAR) and post-contrast T1-mapping and synthetic late gadolinium (LGE) images can quantify MI size at 1.5 T. Conventional LGE imaging and T2-mapping could then be omitted, thereby shortening the scan duration.

METHODS

Twenty-eight STEMI patients underwent a CMR scan at 1.5 T, 3 ± 1 days following primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The AAR was quantified using both native T1 and T2-mapping. MI size was quantified using conventional LGE, post-contrast T1-mapping and synthetic magnitude-reconstructed inversion recovery (MagIR) LGE and synthetic phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) LGE, derived from the post-contrast T1 maps.

RESULTS

Native T1-mapping performed as well as T2-mapping in delineating the AAR (41.6 ± 11.9% of the left ventricle [% LV] versus 41.7 ± 12.2% LV, P = 0.72; R2 0.97; ICC 0.986 (0.969-0.993); bias -0.1 ± 4.2% LV). There were excellent correlation and inter-method agreement with no bias, between MI size by conventional LGE, synthetic MagIR LGE (bias 0.2 ± 2.2%LV, P = 0.35), synthetic PSIR LGE (bias 0.4 ± 2.2% LV, P = 0.060) and post-contrast T1-mapping (bias 0.3 ± 1.8% LV, P = 0.10). The mean scan duration was 58 ± 4 min. Not performing T2 mapping (6 ± 1 min) and conventional LGE (10 ± 1 min) would shorten the CMR study by 15-20 min.

CONCLUSIONS

T1-mapping can accurately quantify both the edema-based AAR (using native T1 maps) and acute MI size (using post-contrast T1 maps) in STEMI patients without major cardiovascular risk factors. This approach would shorten the duration of a comprehensive CMR study without significantly compromising on data acquisition and would obviate the need to perform T2 maps and LGE imaging.

Residual Myocardial Iron Following Intramyocardial Hemorrhage During the Convalescent Phase of Reperfused ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Adverse Left Ventricular Remodeling

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background—

The presence of intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) in ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients reperfused by primary percutaneous coronary intervention has been associated with residual myocardial iron at follow-up, and its impact on adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling is incompletely understood and is investigated here.

Methods and Results—

Forty-eight ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 4±2 days post primary percutaneous coronary intervention, of whom 40 had a follow-up scan at 5±2 months. Native T1, T2, and T2* maps were acquired. Eight out of 40 (20%) patients developed adverse LV remodeling. A subset of 28 patients had matching T2* maps, of which 15/28 patients (54%) had IMH. Eighteen of 28 (64%) patients had microvascular obstruction on the acute scan, of whom 15/18 (83%) patients had microvascular obstruction with IMH. On the follow-up scan, 13/15 patients (87%) had evidence of residual iron within the infarct zone. Patients with residual iron had higher T2 in the infarct zone surrounding the residual iron when compared with those without. In patients with adverse LV remodeling, T2 in the infarct zone surrounding the residual iron was also higher than in those without (60 [54–64] ms versus 53 [51–56] ms; P=0.025). Acute myocardial infarct size, extent of microvascular obstruction, and IMH correlated with the change in LV end-diastolic volume (Pearson’s rho of 0.64, 0.59, and 0.66, respectively; P=0.18 and 0.62, respectively, for correlation coefficient comparison) and performed equally well on receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting adverse LV remodeling (area under the curve: 0.99, 0.94, and 0.95, respectively; P=0.19 for receiver operating characteristic curve comparison).

Conclusions—

The majority of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients with IMH had residual myocardial iron at follow-up. This was associated with persistently elevated T2 values in the surrounding infarct tissue and adverse LV remodeling. IMH and residual myocardial iron may be potential therapeutic targets for preventing adverse LV remodeling in reperfused ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Legacy Effect of Coronary Perforation Complicating Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusive Disease

Background—

Coronary perforation (CP) during chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention for stable angina (CTO-PCI) is a rare but serious event. The evidence base is limited, and the long-term effects are unclear. Using a national PCI database, the incidence, predictors, and outcomes of CP during CTO-PCI were defined.

Methods and Results—

Data analyzed from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society data set on all CTO-PCI procedures performed in England and Wales between 2006 and 2013. Multivariate logistic regressions and propensity scores were used to identify predictors of CP and its association with outcomes. A total of 376 CP were recorded from 26 807 CTO-PCI interventions (incidence of 1.40%) with an increase in frequency during the study period ( P =0.012). Patient-related factors associated with an increased risk of CP were age and female sex. Procedural factors indicative of complex CTO intervention strongly related to an increased risk of CP with a close relationship between the number of complex strategies used and CP evident ( P =0.008 for trend). Tamponade occurred in 16.6% and emergency surgery in 3.4% of cases. Adverse outcomes were frequent in those patients with perforation including bleeding, transfusion, myocardial infarction, and death. A legacy effect of perforation on mortality was evident, with an odds ratio for 12-month mortality of 1.60 for perforation survivors compared with matched nonperforation survivors without a CP ( P <0.0001).

Conclusions—

Many of the factors associated with an increased risk of CP were related to CTO complexity. Perforation was associated with adverse outcomes, with a legacy effect on later mortality after CP also observed.

Defining left ventricular remodeling following acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction using cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND

The assessment of post-myocardial infarction (MI) left ventricular (LV) remodeling by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) currently uses criteria defined by echocardiography. Our aim was to provide CMR criteria for assessing LV remodeling following acute MI.

METHODS

Firstly, 40 reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with paired acute (4 ± 2 days) and follow-up (5 ± 2 months) CMR scans were analyzed by 2 independent reviewers and the minimal detectable changes (MDCs) for percentage change in LV end-diastolic volume (%ΔLVEDV), LV end-systolic volume (%ΔLVESV), and LV ejection fraction (%ΔLVEF) between the acute and follow-up scans were determined. Secondly, in 146 reperfused STEMI patients, receiver operator characteristic curve analyses for predicting LVEF <50% at follow-up (as a surrogate for clinical poor clinical outcome) were undertaken to obtain cut-off values for %ΔLVEDV and %ΔLVESV.

RESULTS

The MDCs for %ΔLVEDV, %ΔLVESV, and %ΔLVEF were similar at 12%, 12%, 13%, respectively. The cut-off values for predicting LVEF < 50% at follow-up were 11% for %ΔLVEDV on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve (AUC) 0.75, 95% CI 0.6 to 0.83, sensitivity 72% specificity 70%), and 5% for %ΔLVESV (AUC 0.83, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.90, sensitivity and specificity 78%). Using cut-off MDC values (higher than the clinically important cut-off values) of 12% for both %ΔLVEDV and %ΔLVESV, 4 main patterns of LV remodeling were identified in our cohort: reverse LV remodeling (LVEF predominantly improved); no LV remodeling (LVEF predominantly unchanged); adverse LV remodeling with compensation (LVEF predominantly improved); and adverse LV remodeling (LVEF unchanged or worsened).

CONCLUSIONS

The MDCs for %ΔLVEDV and %ΔLVESV between the acute and follow-up CMR scans of 12% each may be used to define adverse or reverse LV remodeling post-STEMI. The MDC for %ΔLVEF of 13%, relative to baseline, provides the minimal effect size required for investigating treatments aimed at improving LVEF following acute STEMI.

Diagnostic performance of T1 and T2 mapping to detect intramyocardial hemorrhage in reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients

Purpose

To investigate the performance of T₁ and T₂ mapping to detect intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Materials and Methods

Fifty STEMI patients were prospectively recruited between August 2013 and July 2014 following informed consent. Forty‐eight patients completed a 1.5T cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with native T₁, T₂, and T2* maps at 4 ± 2 days. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess the performance of T₁ and T₂ to detect IMH.

Results

The mean age was 59 ± 13 years old and 88% (24/48) were male. In all, 39 patients had interpretable T2* maps and 26/39 (67%) of the patients had IMH ( T2* <20 msec on T2* maps). Both T₁ and T₂ values of the hypointense core within the area‐at‐risk (AAR) performed equally well to detect IMH (T₁ maps AUC 0.86 [95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72–0.99] versus T₂ maps AUC 0.86 [95% CI 0.74–0.99]; P = 0.94). Using the binary assessment of presence or absence of a hypointense core on the maps, the diagnostic performance of T₁ and T₂ remained equally good (T₁ AUC 0.87 [95% CI 0.73–1.00] versus T₂ AUC 0.85 [95% CI 0.71–0.99]; P = 0.90) with good sensitivity and specificity (T₁: 88% and 85% and T₂: 85% and 85%, respectively).

Conclusion

The presence of a hypointense core on the T₁ and T₂ maps can detect IMH equally well and with good sensitivity and specificity in reperfused STEMI patients and could be used as an alternative when T2* images are not acquired or are not interpretable.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:877–886

Impact of microvascular obstruction on semiautomated techniques for quantifying acute and chronic myocardial infarction by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Aims

The four most promising semiautomated techniques (5-SD, 6-SD, Otsu and the full width half maximum (FWHM)) were compared in paired acute and follow-up cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), taking into account the impact of microvascular obstruction (MVO) and using automated extracellular volume fraction (ECV) maps for reference. Furthermore, their performances on the acute scan were compared against manual myocardial infarct (MI) size to predict adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling (≥20% increase in end-diastolic volume).

Methods

40 patients with reperfused ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with a paired acute (4±2 days) and follow-up CMR scan (5±2 months) were recruited prospectively. All CMR analysis was performed on CVI42.

Results

Using manual MI size as the reference standard, 6-SD accurately quantified acute (24.9±14.0%LV, p=0.81, no bias) and chronic MI size (17.2±9.7%LV, p=0.88, no bias). The performance of FWHM for acute MI size was affected by the acquisition sequence used. Furthermore, FWHM underestimated chronic MI size in those with previous MVO due to the significantly higher ECV in the MI core on the follow-up scans previously occupied by MVO (82 (75–88)% vs 62 (51–68)%, p<0.001). 5-SD and Otsu were precise but overestimated acute and chronic MI size. All techniques were performed with high diagnostic accuracy and equally well to predict adverse LV remodelling.

Conclusions

6-SD was the most accurate for acute and chronic MI size and should be the preferred semiautomatic technique in randomised controlled trials. However, 5-SD, FWHM and Otsu could also be used when precise MI size quantification may be adequate (eg, observational studies).

Influence of access site choice for cardiac catheterization on risk of adverse neurological events: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of cardiac catheterization. Although some procedural aspects are known to influence stroke risk, the impact of radial versus femoral access site use is unclear. Early observational studies and limited randomized trial data suggested more frequent embolic events with radial access. Subsequently, larger pooled analyses have shown no clear differences in stroke risk but were limited by low event rates. Recent publication of relevant new data prompted our reevaluation of this concern. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate stroke complicating cardiac catheterization with use of transradial versus transfemoral access.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was undertaken using OVID SP with appropriate search terms. RevMan 5.3.5 was used to conduct a random-effects meta-analysis using the inverse variance method for pooling risk ratios (RRs) or the Mantel-Haenszel method for pooling dichotomous data. Pooled data from >24,000 patients in randomized controlled trials and >475,000 patients from observational studies were used. The risk ratio (RR) for (any) stroke, using randomized controlled trial data, was not significant (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.58-1.29). Using observational data, a significant difference favoring radial access was seen (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

Radial access site utilization for cardiac catheterization is not associated with an increased risk of stroke events. These data provide reassurance and should remove another potential barrier to conversion to a "default" radial practice among those who are currently predominantly femoral operators.

Automated Extracellular Volume Fraction Mapping Provides Insights Into the Pathophysiology of Left Ventricular Remodeling Post-Reperfused ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Whether the remote myocardium of reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients plays a part in adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling remains unclear. We aimed to use automated extracellular volume fraction (ECV) mapping to investigate whether changes in the ECV of the remote (ECVR emote) and infarcted myocardium (ECVI nfarct) impacted LV remodeling.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-eight of 50 prospectively recruited reperfused STEMI patients completed a cardiovascular magnetic resonance at 4±2 days and 40 had a follow-up scan at 5±2 months. Twenty healthy volunteers served as controls. Mean segmental values for native T1, T2, and ECV were obtained. Adverse LV remodeling was defined as ≥20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume. ECVR emote was higher on the acute scan when compared to control (27.9±2.1% vs 26.4±2.1%; P=0.01). Eight patients developed adverse LV remodeling and had higher ECVR emote acutely (29.5±1.4% vs 27.4±2.0%; P=0.01) and remained higher at follow-up (28.6±1.5% vs 26.6±2.1%; P=0.02) compared to those without. Patients with a higher ECVR emote and a lower myocardial salvage index (MSI) acutely were significantly associated with adverse LV remodeling, independent of T1Remote, T1Core and microvascular obstruction, whereas a higher ECVI nfarct was significantly associated with worse wall motion recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

ECVR emote was increased acutely in reperfused STEMI patients. Those with adverse LV remodeling had higher ECVR emote acutely, and this remained higher at follow-up than those without adverse LV remodeling. A higher ECVR emote and a lower MSI acutely were significantly associated with adverse LV remodeling whereas segments with higher ECVI nfarct were less likely to recover wall motion.

Quantifying the Area at Risk in Reperfused ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Using Hybrid Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography-Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BACKGROUND

Hybrid positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance allows the advantages of magnetic resonance in tissue characterizing the myocardium to be combined with the unique metabolic insights of positron emission tomography. We hypothesized that the area of reduced myocardial glucose uptake would closely match the area at risk delineated by T2 mapping in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Hybrid positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) for glucose uptake was performed in 21 ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients at a median of 5 days. Follow-up scans were performed in a subset of patients 12 months later. The area of reduced FDG uptake was significantly larger than the infarct size quantified by late gadolinium enhancement (37.2±11.6% versus 22.3±11.7%; P<0.001) and closely matched the area at risk by T2 mapping (37.2±11.6% versus 36.3±12.2%; P=0.10, R=0.98, bias 0.9±4.4%). On the follow-up scans, the area of reduced FDG uptake was significantly smaller in size when compared with the acute scans (19.5 [6.3%-31.8%] versus 44.0 [21.3%-55.3%]; P=0.002) and closely correlated with the areas of late gadolinium enhancement (R 0.98) with a small bias of 2.0±5.6%. An FDG uptake of ≥45% on the acute scans could predict viable myocardium on the follow-up scan. Both transmural extent of late gadolinium enhancement and FDG uptake on the acute scan performed equally well to predict segmental wall motion recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance in the reperfused ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients showed reduced myocardial glucose uptake within the area at risk and closely matched the area at risk delineated by T2 mapping. FDG uptake, as well as transmural extent of late gadolinium enhancement, acutely can identify viable myocardial segments.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist pretreatment to MINIMISE reperfusion injury after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (the MINIMISE STEMI Trial): rationale and study design

Novel therapies capable of reducing myocardial infarct (MI) size when administered prior to reperfusion are required to prevent the onset of heart failure in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Experimental animal studies have demonstrated that mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) therapy administered prior to reperfusion can reduce MI size, and MRA therapy prevents adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in post‐MI patients with LV impairment. With these 2 benefits in mind, we hypothesize that initiating MRA therapy prior to PPCI, followed by 3 months of oral MRA therapy, will reduce MI size and prevent adverse LV remodeling in STEMI patients. The MINIMISE‐STEMI trial is a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial that will recruit 150 STEMI patients from four centers in the United Kingdom. Patients will be randomized to receive either an intravenous bolus of MRA therapy (potassium canrenoate 200 mg) or matching placebo prior to PPCI, followed by oral spironolactone 50 mg once daily or matching placebo for 3 months. A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scan will be performed within 1 week of PPCI and repeated at 3 months to assess MI size and LV remodeling. Enzymatic MI size will be estimated by the 48‐hour area‐under‐the‐curve serum cardiac enzymes. The primary endpoint of the study will be MI size on the 3‐month cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scan. The MINIMISE STEMI trial will investigate whether early MRA therapy, initiated prior to reperfusion, can reduce MI size and prevent adverse post‐MI LV remodeling.

Clinical benefit of adenosine as an adjunct to reperfusion in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients: An updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Adenosine administered as an adjunct to reperfusion can reduce coronary no-reflow and limit myocardial infarct (MI) size in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Whether adjunctive adenosine therapy can improve clinical outcomes in reperfused STEMI patients is not clear and is investigated in this meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS

We performed an up-to-date search for all RCTs investigating adenosine as an adjunct to reperfusion in STEMI patients. We calculated pooled relative risks using a fixed-effect meta-analysis assessing the impact of adjunctive adenosine therapy on major clinical endpoint including all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Surrogate markers of reperfusion were also analyzed.

RESULTS

13 RCTs (4273 STEMI patients) were identified and divided into 2 subgroups: intracoronary adenosine versus control (8 RCTs) and intravenous adenosine versus control (5 RCTs). In patients administered intracoronary adenosine, the incidence of heart failure was significantly lower (risk ratio [RR] 0.44 [95% CI 0.25-0.78], P=0.005) and the incidence of coronary no-reflow was reduced (RR for TIMI flow<3 postreperfusion 0.68 [95% CI 0.47-0.99], P=0.04). There was no difference in heart failure incidence in the intravenous adenosine group but most RCTs in this subgroup were from the thrombolysis era. There was no difference in non-fatal MI or all-cause mortality in both subgroups.

CONCLUSION

We find evidence of improved clinical outcome in terms of less heart failure in STEMI patients administered intracoronary adenosine as an adjunct to reperfusion. This finding will need to be confirmed in a large adequately powered prospective RCT.

Reducing radiation in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary interventions

The field of percutaneous intervention for chronic total occlusion (CTO) has enjoyed significant innovations in the recent years. Novel techniques and technologies have revolutionized the field and have resulted in considerably higher success rates even in patients with high anatomical complexity. Successful CTO recanalization is associated with significant clinical benefits, such as the improvement of angina and quality of life, reduced rates of surgical revascularization, improvement of left ventricular function and decreased mortality rates. However, complex CTO procedures often require prolonged x-ray exposure which have been associated with adverse long term outcomes.

Bivalirudin, glycoprotein inhibitor, and heparin use and association with outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the United Kingdom

AIMS

The HORIZONS trial reported a survival advantage for bivalirudin over heparin-with-glycoprotein inhibitors (GPIs) in primary PCI for ST elevation myocardial infarction. This drove an international shift in clinical practice. Subsequent studies have produced divergent findings on mortality benefits with bivalirudin. We investigated this issue in a larger population than studied in any of these trials, using the United Kingdom national PCI registry.

METHODS AND RESULTS

61 136 primary PCI procedures were performed between January 2008 and January 2012. Demographic and procedural data were obtained from the registry. Mortality information was obtained through the UK Office of National Statistics. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity analysis modelling were utilized to study the association of different anti-thrombotic strategies with outcomes. Unadjusted data demonstrated near-identical survival curves for bivalirudin and heparin-plus-GPI groups. Significantly higher early and late mortality was found in patients treated with heparin alone ( ITALIC! P < 0.0001) but this group had a markedly higher baseline risk. After propensity matching, the bivalirudin vs. heparin-plus-GPI groups still demonstrated very similar adjusted mortality (odds ratio 1.00 at 30 days, and 0.96 at 1 year). Patients treated with heparin alone continued to show higher mortality after adjustment, although effect size was considerably diminished (odds ratio vs. other groups 1.17-1.24 at 30 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Analysis of recent UK data showed no significant difference in short- or medium-term mortality between ST elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with bivalirudin vs. heparin-plus-GPI at primary PCI.

Prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury after percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total coronary occlusions

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) represent a major challenge in percutaneous coronary revascularization. The recent advances in strategies and techniques and the development of dedicated equipment, such as microcatheters and wires, have resulted in considerably higher success rates. Although successful CTO recanalization is associated with significant clinical benefits, including improvement of angina, quality of life, reduced need for surgical revascularization, and improvement of left ventricular function, CTO procedures may require prolonged x-ray exposure and use of larger volumes of contrast compared with non-CTO procedures. Large volumes of contrast medium have been associated with increased rates of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) and adverse short- and long-term outcomes. Application of specific measures and algorithms should be considered by all CTO operators to prevent CI-AKI.

Baseline bleeding risk and arterial access site practice in relation to procedural outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Transradial access (TRA) has been associated with reduced access site-related bleeding complications and mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is unclear, however, whether these observed benefits are influenced by baseline bleeding risk.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the relationship between baseline bleeding risk, TRA utilization, and procedure-related outcomes in patients undergoing PCI enrolled in the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society database.

METHODS

Baseline bleeding risk was calculated by using modified Mehran bleeding risk scores in 348,689 PCI procedures performed between 2006 and 2011. Four categories for bleeding risk were defined for the modified Mehran risk score (MMRS): low (<10), moderate (10 to 14), high (15 to 19), and very high (≥20). The impact of baseline bleeding risk on 30-day mortality and its relationship with access site were studied.

RESULTS

TRA was independently associated with a 35% reduction in 30-day mortality risk (odds ratio [OR]: 0.65 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59 to 0.72]; p < 0.0001), with the magnitude of mortality reduction related to baseline bleeding risk (MMRS <10, OR: 0.73 [95% CI: 0.62 to 0.86]; MMRS ≥20, OR: 0.53 [95% CI: 0.47 to 0.61]). In patients with an MMRS <10, TRA was used in 71,771 (43.2%) of 166,083 PCI procedures; TRA was used in 8,655 (40.1%) of 21,559 PCI procedures in patients with an MMRS ≥20, illustrating that TRA was used less in those at highest risk from bleeding complications (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

TRA was independently associated with reduced 30-day mortality, and the magnitude of this effect was related to baseline bleeding risk; those at highest risk of bleeding complications gained the greatest benefit from adoption of TRA during PCI.

Rescue angioplasty for failed fibrinolysis--long-term follow-up of a large cohort

BACKGROUND

Fibrinolysis remains an important treatment for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, but fails to achieve adequate reperfusion in a significant proportion of cases. "Rescue" angioplasty is seen as the preferred treatment strategy in most contemporary centers although the literature provides conflicting evidence.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of rescue angioplasty performed at our cardiothoracic center from July 1999 to June 2008. The diagnosis of failed lysis was made on the basis of an ECG demonstrating failure of ST segment resolution >50% at 90 min. Periprocedural data was taken from a dedicated procedural database and mortality data obtained from the UK Office of National Statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 316 cases were performed. Patients were aged 61 ± 11 years. Thirty-day mortality was 8.9%. Thirty-day mortality in those presenting with cardiogenic shock was 50%, and in those requiring blood transfusion was also 50%. Thirty day mortality in those with TIMI III flow at the end of the procedure was significantly less than in those in whom this was not the case (6.6% vs. 23.3%; P < 0.001). One year mortality for the entire cohort was 10.1%. Longer-term follow-up revealed after 5.2 ± 2.3 years, survival in this cohort was 83%. Significant bleeding requiring blood transfusion occurred in 2.5% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

We have shown that rescue angioplasty can be performed with good procedural success rates and excellent long-term results. Limiting bleeding complications and achieving TIMI III flow appear to be major determinants of achieving good long term results.