Effect of Empagliflozin on Heart Failure Outcomes After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Insights From the EMPACT-MI Trial

BACKGROUND

Empagliflozin reduces the risk of heart failure (HF) events in patients with type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk, chronic kidney disease, or prevalent HF irrespective of ejection fraction. Whereas the EMPACT-MI trial (Effect of Empagliflozin on Hospitalization for Heart Failure and Mortality in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction) showed that empagliflozin does not reduce the risk of the composite of hospitalization for HF and all-cause death, the effect of empagliflozin on first and recurrent HF events after myocardial infarction is unknown.

METHODS

EMPACT-MI was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial that randomized 6522 patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction at risk for HF on the basis of newly developed left ventricular ejection fraction of <45% or signs or symptoms of congestion to receive empagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo within 14 days of admission. In prespecified secondary analyses, treatment groups were analyzed for HF outcomes.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 17.9 months, the risk for first HF hospitalization and total HF hospitalizations was significantly lower in the empagliflozin compared with the placebo group (118 [3.6%] versus 153 [4.7%] patients with events; hazard ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.60, 0.98]; P=0.031, for first HF hospitalization; 148 versus 207 events; rate ratio, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.51, 0.89]; P=0.006, for total HF hospitalizations). Subgroup analysis showed consistency of empagliflozin benefit across clinically relevant patient subgroups for first and total HF hospitalizations. The need for new use of diuretics, renin-angiotensin modulators, or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists after discharge was less in patients randomized to empagliflozin versus placebo (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Empagliflozin reduced the risk of HF in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or congestion after acute myocardial infarction.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04509674.

Apolipoprotein A1 Infusions and Cardiovascular Outcomes after Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular events frequently recur after acute myocardial infarction, and low cholesterol efflux - a process mediated by apolipoprotein A1, which is the main protein in high-density lipoprotein - has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. CSL112 is human apolipoprotein A1 derived from plasma that increases cholesterol efflux capacity. Whether infusions of CSL112 can reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events after acute myocardial infarction is unclear.

METHODS

We conducted an international, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving patients with acute myocardial infarction, multivessel coronary artery disease, and additional cardiovascular risk factors. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either four weekly infusions of 6 g of CSL112 or matching placebo, with the first infusion administered within 5 days after the first medical contact for the acute myocardial infarction. The primary end point was a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes from randomization through 90 days of follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 18,219 patients were included in the trial (9112 in the CSL112 group and 9107 in the placebo group). There was no significant difference between the groups in the risk of a primary end-point event at 90 days of follow-up (439 patients [4.8%] in the CSL112 group vs. 472 patients [5.2%] in the placebo group; hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 1.05; P = 0.24), at 180 days of follow-up (622 patients [6.9%] vs. 683 patients [7.6%]; hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.01), or at 365 days of follow-up (885 patients [9.8%] vs. 944 patients [10.5%]; hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.02). The percentage of patients with adverse events was similar in the two groups; a higher number of hypersensitivity events was reported in the CSL112 group.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with acute myocardial infarction, multivessel coronary artery disease, and additional cardiovascular risk factors, four weekly infusions of CSL112 did not result in a lower risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes than placebo through 90 days. (Funded by CSL Behring; AEGIS-II ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03473223.).

Empagliflozin after Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Empagliflozin improves cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure, patients with type 2 diabetes who are at high cardiovascular risk, and patients with chronic kidney disease. The safety and efficacy of empagliflozin in patients who have had acute myocardial infarction are unknown.

METHODS

In this event-driven, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, patients who had been hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction and were at risk for heart failure to receive empagliflozin at a dose of 10 mg daily or placebo in addition to standard care within 14 days after admission. The primary end point was a composite of hospitalization for heart failure or death from any cause as assessed in a time-to-first-event analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 3260 patients were assigned to receive empagliflozin and 3262 to receive placebo. During a median follow-up of 17.9 months, a first hospitalization for heart failure or death from any cause occurred in 267 patients (8.2%) in the empagliflozin group and in 298 patients (9.1%) in the placebo group, with incidence rates of 5.9 and 6.6 events, respectively, per 100 patient-years (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76 to 1.06; P = 0.21). With respect to the individual components of the primary end point, a first hospitalization for heart failure occurred in 118 patients (3.6%) in the empagliflozin group and in 153 patients (4.7%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.98), and death from any cause occurred in 169 (5.2%) and 178 (5.5%), respectively (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.78 to 1.19). Adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of empagliflozin and were similar in the two trial groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients at increased risk for heart failure after acute myocardial infarction, treatment with empagliflozin did not lead to a significantly lower risk of a first hospitalization for heart failure or death from any cause than placebo. (Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly; EMPACT-MI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04509674.).

Left Ventricular Function, Congestion, and Effect of Empagliflozin on Heart Failure Risk After Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Empagliflozin reduces the risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalizations but not all-cause mortality when started within 14 days of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the association of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), congestion, or both, with outcomes and the impact of empagliflozin in reducing HF risk post-AMI.

METHODS

In the EMPACT-MI (Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Empagliflozin on Hospitalization for Heart Failure and Mortality in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial, patients were randomized within 14 days of an AMI complicated by either newly reduced LVEF<45%, congestion, or both, to empagliflozin (10 mg daily) or placebo and were followed up for a median of 17.9 months.

RESULTS

Among 6,522 patients, the mean baseline LVEF was 41 ± 9%; 2,648 patients (40.6%) presented with LVEF <45% alone, 1,483 (22.7%) presented with congestion alone, and 2,181 (33.4%) presented with both. Among patients in the placebo arm of the trial, multivariable adjusted risk for each 10-point reduction in LVEF included all-cause death or HF hospitalization (HR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.31-1.69; P < 0.0001), first HF hospitalization (HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.37-1.96; P < 0.0001), and total HF hospitalizations (rate ratio [RR]: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.51-2.36; P < 0.0001). The presence of congestion was also associated with a significantly higher risk for each of these outcomes (HR: 1.52, 1.94, and RR: 2.03, respectively). Empagliflozin reduced the risk for first (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.60-0.98) and total (RR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.50-0.89) HF hospitalizations, irrespective of LVEF or congestion, or both. The safety profile of empagliflozin was consistent across baseline LVEF and irrespective of congestion status.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with AMI, the severity of left ventricular dysfunction and the presence of congestion was associated with worse outcomes. Empagliflozin reduced first and total HF hospitalizations across the range of LVEF with and without congestion. (Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Empagliflozin on Hospitalization for Heart Failure and Mortality in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction [EMPACT-MI]; NCT04509674).

Effect of Reconstituted Human Apolipoprotein A-I on Recurrent Ischemic Events in Survivors of Acute MI

BACKGROUND

The AEGIS-II trial hypothesized that CSL112, an intravenous formulation of human apoA-I, would lower the risk of plaque disruption, decreasing the risk of recurrent events such as myocardial infarction (MI) among high-risk patients with MI.

OBJECTIVES

This exploratory analysis evaluates the effect of CSL112 therapy on the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) death and recurrent MI.

METHODS

The AEGIS-II trial was an international, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that randomized 18,219 high-risk acute MI patients to 4 weekly infusions of apoA-I (6 g CSL112) or placebo.

RESULTS

The incidence of the composite of CV death and type 1 MI was 11% to 16% lower in the CSL112 group over the study period (HR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.7-1.0; P = 0.056 at day 90; HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.74-0.99; P = 0.048 at day 180; and HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79-1.01; P = 0.07 at day 365). Similarly, the incidence of CV death or any MI was numerically lower in CSL112-treated patients throughout the follow-up period (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.80-1.05 at day 90, HR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79-0.996 at day 180, HR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.83-1.01 at day 365). The effect of CSL112 treatment on MI was predominantly observed for type 1 MI and type 4b (MI due to stent thrombosis).

CONCLUSIONS

Although CSL112 did not significantly reduce the occurrence of the primary study endpoints, patients treated with CSL112 infusions had numerically lower rates of CV death and MI, type-1 MI, and stent thrombosis-related MI compared with placebo. These findings could suggest a role of apoA-I in reducing subsequent plaque disruption events via enhanced cholesterol efflux. Further prospective data would be needed to confirm these observations.

Impact of quercetin in patients with myocardial infarction. A multicenter, randomized, and open-label pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Early myocardial reperfusion improves acute MI survival. Bioflavonoid quercetin is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative properties. The presented pilot study aims to investigate the cardioprotective effect of quercetin on infarct size limiting in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

METHODS

Patients (n = 143) with first anterior STEMI within 6 hours from symptoms onset were included in this open-label multicenter pilot study. Patients were randomized either into quercetin group (n = 70) in addition to standard treatment or recommended therapy alone group (control group, n = 73). Quercetin infusions were initiated before reperfusion and repeated during the next 5 days. The infarct size assessed using creatine kinase-myocardial band area under curve (CK-MB AUC) was the primary study outcome.

RESULTS

The study arms did not differ in demographics, time to admission, and main clinical data. The median early CK-MB AUC was significantly lower in quercetin group than in controls (8036 ± 7594 vs 11219 ± 8146 U × 1 h/L, p = 0.015). Intravenous quercetin administration was associated with less reperfusion-induced intramyocardial hemorrhage by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance on Day 3 (11.1% of patients in quercetin group vs 53.3% of patients in control group, p < 0.024). There were no significant differences in left ventricle ejection fraction and LV remodeling indicators.

CONCLUSION

Our pilot study is the first to demonstrate novel insight into ischemia/reperfusion damage in STEMI patients. The addition of quercetin to standard STEMI therapy limits infarct size and prevents intramyocardial hemorrhage after the first anterior STEMI. Further research will be necessary to both validate and expand upon these findings.

Clinical Outcomes in Older Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry

BACKGROUND

Oral anticoagulants (OAC) are underutilized in older patients with atrial fibrillation, despite proven clinical benefits. Our objective was to investigate baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and impact of anticoagulation upon clinical outcomes with respect to age.

METHODS

Adults with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation were recruited into the prospective observational registry, GARFIELD-AF, and followed up for 24 months. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were obtained via Cox proportional-hazards models with applied weights, to quantify the association of age with clinical outcomes. Comparative effectiveness of OAC vs No OAC and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) vs vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were assessed using a propensity score with an overlap weighting scheme.

RESULTS

Of 52,018 patients, 32.6% were 65-74 years of age, 29.3% were 75-84 years, and 7.9% were ≥85 years. OAC treatment was associated with a numerical reduction in all-cause mortality among those aged 65-74 years (HR; 95% confidence interval) (0.86; 0.69-1.06) and aged 75-84 years (0.89; 0.75-1.05) and a significant reduction in patients ≥85 years (0.77; 0.63-0.95) vs no OAC. Similarly, OACs were associated with a decrease in stroke: 65-74 (0.51; 0.35-0.76) and ≥85 years (0.58; 0.34-0.99) and a numerical decrease in 75-84 years (0.84; 0.59-1.18). No increase in major bleeding was observed in patients aged ≥85 treated with OACs. Compared with VKA, NOACs were associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality in patients aged <65 and 65-74, with numerical reductions in those aged 75-84 and ≥85 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients using OACs saw lower all-cause mortality and stroke risk; NOACs had less mortality and major bleeding compared with VKAs.

Implications of ACC/AHA Versus ESC/EAS LDL-C Recommendations for Residual Risk Reduction in ASCVD: A Simulation Study From DA VINCI

PURPOSE

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) recommendations differ between the 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) and 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) guidelines for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) (< 70 vs. < 55 mg/dl, respectively). In the DA VINCI study, residual cardiovascular risk was predicted in ASCVD patients. The extent to which relative and absolute risk might be lowered by achieving ACC/AHA versus ESC/EAS LDL-C recommended approaches was simulated.

METHODS

DA VINCI was a cross-sectional observational study of patients prescribed lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) across 18 European countries. Ten-year cardiovascular risk (CVR) was predicted among ASCVD patients receiving stabilized LLT. For patients with LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl, the absolute LDL-C reduction required to achieve an LDL-C of < 70 or < 55 mg/dl (LDL-C of 69 or 54 mg/dl, respectively) was calculated. Relative and absolute risk reductions (RRRs and ARRs) were simulated.

RESULTS

Of the 2039 patients, 61% did not achieve LDL-C < 70 mg/dl. For patients with LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dl, median (interquartile range) baseline LDL-C and 10-year CVR were 93 (81-115) mg/dl and 32% (25-43%), respectively. Median LDL-C reductions of 24 (12-46) and 39 (27-91) mg/dl were needed to achieve an LDL-C of 69 and 54 mg/dl, respectively. Attaining ACC/AHA or ESC/EAS goals resulted in simulated RRRs of 14% (7-25%) and 22% (15-32%), respectively, and ARRs of 4% (2-7%) and 6% (4-9%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In ASCVD patients, achieving ESC/EAS LDL-C goals could result in a 2% additional ARR over 10 years versus the ACC/AHA approach.

Association between coffee or tea consumption and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease: Analysis from the CLARIFY registry

BACKGROUND

Conflicting data exist on the association between consumption of coffee or tea and cardiovascular outcomes, and few focus on patients with established coronary artery disease.

AIM

To describe the association between coffee or tea consumption and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease, using an extensive contemporary international registry, allowing the identification of multiple potential confounders.

METHODS

The Prospective Observational Longitudinal Registry of Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease (CLARIFY) registry enrolled in 2009 and 2010 in 45 countries, with a 5-year follow-up. Patients were categorized according to daily consumption of coffee or tea, and were compared with those declaring neither. The primary composite outcome of myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death was analysed at 5years, as well as all-cause mortality. Sensitivity analyses were performed with a multivariable model.

RESULTS

A total of 15,459 and 10,029 patients declared coffee or tea consumption, respectively. At 5years, after full adjustment, no association was found between coffee consumption and the primary outcome: hazard ratio 1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.89-1.21) for 1 cup; 0.94 (0.82-1.08) for 2-3 cups; and 1.04 (0.86-1.27) for ≥4 cups (P=0.51). Drinking tea was not associated with a different incidence of the primary outcome before or after adjustment, with fully adjusted hazard ratios of 1.08 (95% confidence interval 0.84-1.38) for 1 cup, 1.12 (0.96-1.31) for 2-3 cups and 0.95 (0.79-1.14) for ≥4 cups (P=0.30). After full adjustment, neither coffee nor tea drinking was associated with all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In outpatients with stable coronary artery disease, there was no association between coffee or tea consumption and ischaemic outcomes or all-cause mortality.

Global Variations in Heart Failure Etiology, Management, and Outcomes

Importance

Most epidemiological studies of heart failure (HF) have been conducted in high-income countries with limited comparable data from middle- or low-income countries.

Objective

To examine differences in HF etiology, treatment, and outcomes between groups of countries at different levels of economic development.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Multinational HF registry of 23 341 participants in 40 high-income, upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income, and low-income countries, followed up for a median period of 2.0 years.

Main Outcomes and Measures

HF cause, HF medication use, hospitalization, and death.

Results

Mean (SD) age of participants was 63.1 (14.9) years, and 9119 (39.1%) were female. The most common cause of HF was ischemic heart disease (38.1%) followed by hypertension (20.2%). The proportion of participants with HF with reduced ejection fraction taking the combination of a β-blocker, renin-angiotensin system inhibitor, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist was highest in upper-middle-income (61.9%) and high-income countries (51.1%), and it was lowest in low-income (45.7%) and lower-middle-income countries (39.5%) (P < .001). The age- and sex- standardized mortality rate per 100 person-years was lowest in high-income countries (7.8 [95% CI, 7.5-8.2]), 9.3 (95% CI, 8.8-9.9) in upper-middle-income countries, 15.7 (95% CI, 15.0-16.4) in lower-middle-income countries, and it was highest in low-income countries (19.1 [95% CI, 17.6-20.7]). Hospitalization rates were more frequent than death rates in high-income countries (ratio = 3.8) and in upper-middle-income countries (ratio = 2.4), similar in lower-middle-income countries (ratio = 1.1), and less frequent in low-income countries (ratio = 0.6). The 30-day case-fatality rate after first hospital admission was lowest in high-income countries (6.7%), followed by upper-middle-income countries (9.7%), then lower-middle-income countries (21.1%), and highest in low-income countries (31.6%). The proportional risk of death within 30 days of a first hospital admission was 3- to 5-fold higher in lower-middle-income countries and low-income countries compared with high-income countries after adjusting for patient characteristics and use of long-term HF therapies.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study of HF patients from 40 different countries and derived from 4 different economic levels demonstrated differences in HF etiologies, management, and outcomes. These data may be useful in planning approaches to improve HF prevention and treatment globally.

Association of Cardiac Biomarkers With Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in High-risk Patients With Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 Trial

Importance

Dapagliflozin reduces the risk of hospitalizations for heart failure and the progression of chronic kidney disease in patients with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D), whereas the effects on reducing atherosclerotic events appear less clear.

Objective

To explore whether N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hsTnT) levels can identify a subset of patients with T2D at higher risk and who might benefit more from dapagliflozin with regard to atherosclerotic events.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a secondary analysis of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial, a randomized clinical trial of dapagliflozin in patients with T2D and either multiple risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD; approximately 60%) or established ASCVD (approximately 40%). All patients with available blood samples at randomization were included in these analyses. Data were collected from May 2013 to September 2018, and data were analyzed from May 2019 to June 2022.

Interventions

Dapagliflozin vs placebo.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), the composite of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or cardiovascular death, which was one of dual primary outcomes of the main trial.

Results

Of 14 565 included patients, 9143 (62.8%) were male, and the mean (SD) age was 63.9 (6.8) years. When tested individually in a multivariable model for MACE risk, NT-proBNP and hsTnT were each significantly associated with the risk of MACE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] per 1 SD in log-transformed biomarker: NT-proBNP, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.49-1.76; hsTnT: 1.59; 95% CI, 1.46-1.74). The magnitude of the association was similar in patients with ASCVD (NT-proBNP: aHR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.45-1.77; hsTnT: aHR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.45-1.81) and multiple risk factors for ASCVD (NT-proBNP: aHR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.40-1.88; hsTnT: aHR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.29-1.77). Moreover, both biomarkers remained independently associated with MACE when both were included in the multivariable model (NT-proBNP: aHR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.34-1.60; hsTnT: aHR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.26-1.53). Modeled as a continuous variable, baseline biomarker levels did not modify the relative treatment effect of dapagliflozin vs placebo with MACE. However, the relative risk reduction numerically grew with higher biomarker levels, as did the baseline risk. Thus, MACE event rates were nominally lower in dapagliflozin-treated vs placebo-treated patients with biomarker concentrations in the top quartile (NT-proBNP: HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.97; absolute risk reduction [ARR], 2.4%; hsTnT: HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72-0.99; ARR, 2.7%), whereas there was no significant treatment effect in patients with biomarkers levels in quartiles 1 to 3 (NT-proBNP: HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.88-1.18; ARR, 0%; hsTnT: HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.84-1.13; ARR, 0.2%).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, NT-proBNP and hsTnT levels were associated with the risk for future cardiovascular events in both primary and secondary prevention patients with T2D. Both cardiac biomarkers were helpful to identify patients at very high risk for atherosclerotic events that may derive reduction in risk of MACE with dapagliflozin.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01730534.

Differential efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients with or without comorbid vascular disease: insights from the GARFIELD-AF registry

Background

Many patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have comorbid vascular disease. The effects of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in AF patients with vascular disease, however, have not been widely studied.

Purpose

To investigate the impact of OAC in AF patients with (Vasc) or without (nVasc) concomitant vascular disease.

Methods

GARFIELD-AF is the largest multinational, prospective AF registry. The study comprised 51,574 GARFIELD-AF patients with newly diagnosed AF, 13,365 Vasc and 38,209 nVasc patients. All patients who reported coronary artery disease, aortic or peripheral artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction, stenting, or coronary artery bypass graft were classified as having vascular disease. Adjusted hazard ratios were obtained via Cox proportional-hazards models to quantify the association of vascular disease with selected endpoints. Comparative effectiveness analyses were restricted to patients enrolled from April 2013-September 2016 (when NOACs became widely available) and who were eligible for anticoagulation (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2 excl. gender). To evaluate the safety and efficacy of different anticoagulation strategies in Vasc and nVasc patients, propensity score using an overlap weighting scheme was applied. Weights were applied to Cox proportional-hazards models to estimate the effects of OAC vs No OAC and NOAC vs VKA.

Results

Vasc patients were older (median (Q1; Q3): 72.0 (65.0; 79.0) vs 70.0 (62.0; 78.0) and more often male (62.0 vs 53.6%). Vasc patients had a higher rate of comorbidities including heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes. Vasc patients received less OAC (62.8 vs 68.3%). NOACs were less common compared with nVasc patients (23.8% vs 28.7%) but a similar proportion of VKAs was observed in both (39.0% vs 39.6%). Antiplatelet monotherapy was more common in Vasc (31%) than nVasc (18%) patients.

At 2-years, Vasc was associated with a higher risk of all-cause (HR [95% CI]: 1.30 [1.16–1.47]) and cardiovascular mortality (1.59 [1.28–1.97]). OACs significantly lowered the risk of all-cause mortality and stroke in nVasc patients (0.72 [0.63–0.82] and 0.64 [0.49–0.84], respectively), but not in nVasc patients. OACs led to a numerical increase in major bleeding in Vasc patients (1.32 [0.90–1.93]) and a significant increase in major bleeding in nVasc patients (1.40 [1.03–1.90]) (Figure 1). Compared with VKAs, NOACs did not significantly improve the risk of outcomes in nVasc patients. In Vasc patients however, NOACs significantly lowered the risk of all-cause mortality (0.74 [0.61–0.90]) and major bleeding (0.45 [0.29–0.70]) compared with VKAs (Figure 2).

Conclusion

AF patients with vascular disease have worse long-term outcomes than those without. They receive less often OAC, specifically NOAC, and more antiplatelet agents. The beneficial effects of NOAC over VKA are much more pronounced in patients with than in those without vascular disease.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): This work was supported by the Thrombosis Research Institute (London, UK).

Ten-year prognostic impact of acute heart failure in STEMI patients: a prospective cohort study

Background

Cardio-vascular death (CVD) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) significantly decreased due to reperfusion and advances in pharmacotherapy. Acute heart failure (AHF) remains a common and unfavorable AMI-related complication.

Aim

To determine the incidence and prognostic value of Killip Class II–IV of AHF in long term follow-up of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

All patients with STEMI were admitted to our emergency cardiology department during 1995–2011. CVD up to ten years after STEMI was the main outcome endpoint. We compared CVD in patients with and without AHF, and revascularization. Survival curve was generated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Predictors of mortality after STEMI were determined by multivariable Cox regression.

Results

Prospective cohort study includes 1625 STEMI patients; the mean age of the patients was 54.4±0.3 years, time from symptom onset was 5.0±0.2 hour, 1497 were men (92.1%), and 899 patients (55.5%) were revascularized (TLT – 632 (38.9%), PCI – 267 (16.4%), including 159 patients with stent implantation (9.8%). 412 patients had AHF - Killip Class II–IV (25.4%) during first 24 hours. Ten-year survival after STEMI was 85%; survival exceeded 88% in patients without AHF, but was 75% for those with AHF. Among patients who underwent revascularisation ten-year survival was 82.9% for patients in group with AHF, and was 87.1% for those without AHF. In multivariable Cox regression, age ≥65 years, female gender and HF were the predictive factors for CVD. Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated higher incidence of CVD in AHF patients in compare with those without AHF in long-term follow-up (Figure 1).

Conclusion

According to the study AMI care is associated with high rates of long term survival, ten-year rates exceed 85%. AHF during first 24 hour in patients with STEMI worsens the prognosis, but reperfusion therapy increases survival. Further efforts to improve survival should be directed to patients with AHF and low revascularization rate that are associated with poor survival after AMI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Morphine and clinical outcomes in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with fibrinolytic and antiplatelet therapy: Insights from the TREAT trial

BACKGROUND

Morphine is commonly used to relieve pain, anxiety and dyspnea in STEMI but it lowers blood pressure and delays the activity of oral antiplatelet agents. The impact of morphine on clinical outcomes remains unknown. This analysis was performed to determine if morphine use was associated with increased risk of adverse clinical events among STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy and clopidogrel or ticagrelor.

METHODS

In the Ticagrelor in Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Pharmacological Thrombolysis (TREAT) study, 3799 STEMI patients treated with fibrinolysis were randomized to receive clopidogrel or ticagrelor. Morphine use was left to the discretion of the treating physicians. In this pre-specified analysis, we evaluated clinical outcomes based on the use and timing of morphine administration. Outcomes were stratified by randomized treatment group. Multivariable analysis was performed using Inverse Probability Treatment Weighting (IPTW) weighting.

RESULTS

Morphine was used in 53% of patients. After adjustment using IPTW weighting, morphine use was associated with higher hazard of reinfarction at 7 days (HR 4.9, P = .0006) and 30 days (HR 1.7, P = .04), and lower hazard of major bleeding (HR 0.37, P = .006). There was no significant difference in mortality at any time point.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with STEMI treated with fibrinolytic therapy, morphine use was associated with a higher risk of early reinfarction and a lower risk of major bleeding but no difference in mortality.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02298088.

Impact of prior oral anticoagulant use and outcomes on patients from secondary analysis in the AUGUSTUS trial

Objective

Managing antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is challenging and can be affected by prior oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment. We examined the relationship between prior OAC use and outcomes in the AUGUSTUS trial.

Methods

This prespecified secondary analysis is from AUGUSTUS, an open-label, 2-by-2 factorial, RCT to evaluate the safety of apixaban versus vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and aspirin versus placebo in patients with AF and ACS and/or PCI. The primary endpoint, major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding and clinical outcomes were compared in patients receiving (n=2262) or not receiving (n=2352) an OAC prior to enrolment.

Results

Patients with prior OAC use had more comorbidities, higher CHA₂DS₂-VASC and HAS-BLED scores, and were more likely enrolled following elective PCI. There was no difference in major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding with or without prior OAC (30 days: 5.1% vs 5.9% (adjusted HR (aHR) 0.82, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.06); 180 days: 13.5% vs 13.5% (aHR 0.98, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.16)). Patients with prior OAC use had a lower risk of death or ischaemic events (30 days: 1.7% vs 2.8% (aHR 0.61, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.92); 180 days: 5.4% vs 7.6% (aHR 0.70, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.88)). No interactions between randomised treatment (apixaban vs VKA, aspirin vs placebo) and prior OAC status were observed for outcomes, apart from apixaban (vs VKA) being associated with a lower risk of myocardial infarction with prior OAC use (180 days: 2.0% vs 3.7% (aHR 0.56, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.91().

Conclusions

In AUGUSTUS, prior OAC use was associated with fewer ischaemic events but not more bleeding. In patients with AF and ACS and/or undergoing PCI, clinicians can be assured that the trial results can be applied to patients regardless of their prior OAC status.

Trial registration number

NCT02415400.

Navigating between Scylla and Charybdis: challenges and strategies for implementing guideline-directed medical treatment in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) has the potential to reduce the risks of mortality and hospitalisation in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, real-world data indicate that many patients with HFrEF do not receive optimised GDMT, which involves several different medications, many of which require up-titration to target doses. There are many challenges to implementing GDMT, the most important being patient-related factors (comorbidities, advanced age, frailty, cognitive impairment, poor adherence, low socioeconomic status), treatment-related factors (intolerance, side-effects) and healthcare-related factors that influence availability and accessibility of HF care. Accordingly, international disparities in resources for HF management and limited public reimbursement of GDMT, coupled with clinical inertia for treatment intensification combine to hinder efforts to provide GDMT. In this review paper, authors aim to provide solutions based on available evidence, practical experience, and expert consensus on how to utilise evolving strategies, novel medications, and patient profiling to allow the more comprehensive uptake of GDMT. Authors discuss professional education, motivation, and training, as well as patient empowerment for self-care as important tools to overcome clinical inertia and boost GDMT implementation. We provide evidence on how multidisciplinary care and institutional accreditation can be successfully used to increase prescription rates and adherence to GDMT. We consider the role of modern technologies in advancing professional and patient education and facilitating patient-provider communication. Finally, authors emphasise the role of novel drugs (especially sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors), and a tailored approach to drug management as evolving strategies for the more successful implementation of GDMT. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Assessment of Omecamtiv Mecarbil for the Treatment of Patients With Severe Heart Failure: A Post Hoc Analysis of Data From the GALACTIC-HF Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is a progressive clinical syndrome, and many patients' condition worsen over time despite treatment. Patients with more severe disease are often intolerant of available medical therapies.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil for the treatment of patients with severe heart failure (HF) enrolled in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac Outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC-HF) randomized clinical trial.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The GALACTIC-HF study was a global double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 randomized clinical trial that was conducted at multiple centers between January 2017 and August 2020. A total of 8232 patients with symptomatic HF (defined as New York Heart Association symptom class II-IV) and left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less were randomized to receive omecamtiv mecarbil or placebo and followed up for a median of 21.8 months (range, 15.4-28.6 months). The current post hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of omecamtiv mecarbil therapy among patients classified as having severe HF compared with patients without severe HF. Severe HF was defined as the presence of all of the following criteria: New York Heart Association symptom class III to IV, left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% or less, and hospitalization for HF within the previous 6 months.

Interventions

Participants were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either omecamtiv mecarbil or placebo.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was time to first HF event or cardiovascular (CV) death. Secondary end points included time to CV death and safety and tolerability.

Results

Among 8232 patients enrolled in the GALACTIC-HF clinical trial, 2258 patients (27.4%; mean [SD] age, 64.5 [11.6] years; 1781 men [78.9%]) met the specified criteria for severe HF. Of those, 1106 patients were randomized to the omecamtiv mecarbil group and 1152 to the placebo group. Patients with severe HF who received omecamtiv mecarbil experienced a significant treatment benefit for the primary end point (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95% CI, 0.71-0.90), whereas patients without severe HF had no significant treatment benefit (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.91-1.08; P = .005 for interaction). For CV death, the results were similar (HR for patients with vs without severe HF: 0.88 [95% CI, 0.75-1.03] vs 1.10 [95% CI, 0.97-1.25]; P = .03 for interaction). Omecamtiv mecarbil therapy was well tolerated in patients with severe HF, with no significant changes in blood pressure, kidney function, or potassium level compared with placebo.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this post hoc analysis of data from the GALACTIC-HF clinical trial, omecamtiv mecarbil therapy may have provided a clinically meaningful reduction in the composite end point of time to first HF event or CV death among patients with severe HF. These data support a potential role of omecamtiv mecarbil therapy among patients for whom current treatment options are limited.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02929329.

ACE Insertion/Deletion gene polymorphism aassociations in STEMI Patients

Objective

ACE Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism has been reported to be associated with various cardiovascular conditions, however its impact in patients with AHF remains controversial.

This study aimed to analyze ACE I/D distribution, rate of acute heart failure (AHF) and survival in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients.

Methods

Genomic DNA from 245 STEMI patients and 87 healthy control subjects were analyzed by single polymerase chain reaction method. Based on the ACE I/D genotype STEMI patients were divided with AHF/no AHF, and then - for preserved/reduced ≤40% left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (EF) to investigate the frequency of the mutant allele D.

Results

ACE gene polymorphism analyses revealed that D allele had been found more often in STEMI patients than in controls (84.1 vs. 72.4%). The frequency of II, ID, and DD genotypes in STEMI patients was 27.6%, 52.9% and 19.5% compared to 15.9%, 54.3% and 29.8%, respectively in controls with a significant difference in mutant homozygous genotype. Distribution of I/D ACE gene variants among AHF cases vs no AHF, showed similar frequency of II allele (15.8 vs 13.5%), ID allele (54.9 vs 52.8%) and DD allele (29.3 vs 33.7% respectively). In patients with preserved EF there was not statistical significance among different alleles with and without AHF. However, ACE DD polymorphism has been found in AHF patients with reduced EF significantly more often (50.0 vs 30.5%; p&lt;0.05) in compare to AHF patients with preserved EF. Finally, cardiovascular death among all STEMI patients during 3-year follow up was more frequent in patients with DD allele (17.7% vs 5.7% with II and vs 9.9% with ID allele).

Conclusion

Presented results confirmed ACE DD polymorphism to be associated with higher rate of cardiovascular death and presence of AHF with reduced LV EF in STEMI patients. Future studies are needed to evaluate importance of ACE DD polymorphism in order to find optimal treatment strategies and to prevent negative outcomes in those patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Lipid-lowering therapy use in primary and secondary care in Central and Eastern Europe: DA VINCI observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is a largely understudied region, despite having the highest cardiovascular disease mortality in Europe. This analysis aimed to assess the proportion of patients in CEE who achieved their LDL-C goals based on individual cardiovascular risk recommended by the 2016 and 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) guidelines.

METHODS

The DA VINCI study was a cross-sectional observational study of primary and secondary prevention patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy across Europe between June 2017 and November 2018.

RESULTS

In total, 2154 patients were enrolled from the Czech Republic (n = 509), Hungary (n = 319), Poland (n = 460), Romania (n = 259), Slovakia (n = 123) and Ukraine (n = 484). At LDL-C measurement, most patients were on either moderate- or high-intensity statin monotherapy (53% and 32%, respectively). Despite this, only 44% of patients achieved risk-based LDL-C goals recommended by the 2016 ESC/EAS guidelines, ranging from 21% in Ukraine to 50% in Hungary and Romania. Only 24% of patients overall achieved the risk-based LDL-C goals recommended by the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines, ranging from 11% in Ukraine to 32% in Poland.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy, more than half did not achieve their 2016 LDL-C goals. In one of the first comparative analyses evaluating 2019 risk-based goal attainment among countries in CEE, three-quarters of patients did not meet their 2019 LDL-C goals, highlighting a significant gap between guidelines and clinical practice for lipid management in CEE.

Effect of alirocumab on major adverse cardiovascular events according to renal function in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome: prespecified analysis from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES randomized clinical trial

Aims

Statins reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and normal-to-moderately impaired renal function. It is not known whether proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors provide similar benefit across a range of renal function. We determined whether effects of the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab to reduce cardiovascular events and death after ACS are influenced by renal function.

Methods and results

ODYSSEY OUTCOMES compared alirocumab with placebo in patients with recent ACS and dyslipidaemia despite intensive statin treatment. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m² was exclusionary. In 18 918 patients, baseline eGFR was 82.8 ± 17.6 mL/min/1.73 m², and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was 92 ± 31 mg/dL. At 36 months, alirocumab decreased LDL-C by 48.5% vs. placebo but did not affect eGFR (P = 0.65). Overall, alirocumab reduced risk of the primary outcome (coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization) with fewer deaths. There was no interaction between continuous eGFR and treatment on the primary outcome or death (P = 0.14 and 0.59, respectively). Alirocumab reduced primary outcomes in patients with eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m² (n = 7470; hazard ratio 0.784, 95% confidence interval 0.670–0.919; P = 0.003) and 60 to <90 (n = 9326; 0.833, 0.731–0.949; P = 0.006), but not in those with eGFR < 60 (n = 2122; 0.974, 0.805–1.178; P = 0.784). Adverse events other than local injection-site reactions were similar in both groups across all categories of eGFR.

Conclusions

In patients with recent ACS, alirocumab was associated with fewer cardiovascular events and deaths across the range of renal function studied, with larger relative risk reductions in those with eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m².

Lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, or both to prevent cardiovascular events: results of 8.7 years of follow-up of Heart Outcomes Evaluation Prevention (HOPE)-3 study participants

Aims

Rosuvastatin (10 mg per day) compared with placebo reduced major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events by 24% in 12 705 participants at intermediate CV risk after 5.6 years. There was no benefit of blood pressure (BP) lowering treatment in the overall group, but a reduction in events in the third of participants with elevated systolic BP. After cessation of all the trial medications, we examined whether the benefits observed during the active treatment phase were sustained, enhanced, or attenuated.

Methods and results

After the randomized treatment period (5.6 years), participants were invited to participate in 3.1 further years of observation (total 8.7 years). The first co-primary outcome for the entire length of follow-up was the composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or CV death [major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE)-1], and the second was MACE-1 plus resuscitated cardiac arrest, heart failure, or coronary revascularization (MACE-2). In total, 9326 (78%) of 11 994 surviving Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE)-3 subjects consented to participate in extended follow-up. During 3.1 years of post-trial observation (total follow-up of 8.7 years), participants originally randomized to rosuvastatin compared with placebo had a 20% additional reduction in MACE-1 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64–0.99] and a 17% additional reduction in MACE-2 (95% CI 0.68–1.01). Therefore, over the 8.7 years of follow-up, there was a 21% reduction in MACE-1 (95% CI 0.69–0.90, P = 0.005) and 21% reduction in MACE-2 (95% CI 0.69–0.89, P = 0.002). There was no benefit of BP lowering in the overall study either during the active or post-trial observation period, however, a 24% reduction in MACE-1 was observed over 8.7 years.

Conclusion

The CV benefits of rosuvastatin, and BP lowering in those with elevated systolic BP, compared with placebo continue to accrue for at least 3 years after cessation of randomized treatment in individuals without cardiovascular disease indicating a legacy effect.

Trial Registration Number

NCT00468923

Predictors, Type, and Impact of Bleeding on the Net Clinical Benefit of Long-Term Ticagrelor in Stable Patients With Prior Myocardial Infarction

Background Ticagrelor reduces ischemic risk but increases bleeding in patients with prior myocardial infarction. Identification of patients at lower bleeding risk is important in selecting patients who are likely to derive more favorable outcomes versus risk from this strategy. Methods and Results PEGASUS-TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 54) randomized 21 162 patients with prior myocardial infarction in a 1:1:1 fashion to ticagrelor 60 mg or 90 mg twice daily or placebo, with ticagrelor 60 mg approved for long-term use. TIMI major or minor bleeding was the primary end point for this analysis. Causes of bleeding were categorized by site and etiology, and independent predictors were identified. At 3 years, ticagrelor 60 mg increased the rate of TIMI major or minor bleeding by 2.0% versus placebo (1.4% placebo versus 3.4% ticagrelor). The bleeding excess was driven primarily by spontaneous gastrointestinal bleeds. A history of spontaneous bleeding requiring hospitalization and the presence of anemia were independent predictors of bleeding but not of ischemic risk. Patients with at least 1 risk predictor had 3-fold higher rates of bleeding with ticagrelor 60 mg versus those who had neither (absolute risk increase, 4.4% versus 1.5%; P=0.01). Patients with neither predictor had a more favorable benefit profile with ticagrelor 60 mg versus placebo including lower mortality (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.96; P interaction = 0.03). Conclusions In patients with prior myocardial infarction, bleeding with ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily is predominantly spontaneous gastrointestinal. A history of spontaneous bleeding requiring hospitalization or the presence of anemia identifies patients at higher risk of bleeding, and the absence of either identifies patients likely to have a more favorable net benefit with ticagrelor. Registration URL https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT01225562.

Apixaban or Vitamin K Antagonists and Aspirin or Placebo According to Kidney Function in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation After Acute Coronary Syndrome or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From the AUGUSTUS Trial

BACKGROUND

In the AUGUSTUS trial (An Open-Label, 2×2 Factorial, Randomized Controlled, Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety of Apixaban Versus Vitamin K Antagonist and Aspirin Versus Aspirin Placebo in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Coronary Syndrome or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention), apixaban resulted in less bleeding and fewer hospitalizations than vitamin K antagonists, and aspirin caused more bleeding than placebo in patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome or percutaneous coronary intervention treated with a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor. We evaluated the risk-benefit balance of antithrombotic therapy according to kidney function.

METHODS

In 4456 patients, the CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) formula was used to calculate baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The effect of apixaban versus vitamin K antagonists and aspirin versus placebo was assessed across kidney function categories by using Cox models. The primary outcome was International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding. Secondary outcomes included death or hospitalization and ischemic events (death, stroke, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis [definite or probable], or urgent revascularization). Creatinine clearance <30 mL/min was an exclusion criterion in the AUGUSTUS trial.

RESULTS

Overall, 30%, 52%, and 19% had an eGFR of >80, >50 to 80, and 30 to 50 mL·min^-1·1.73 m^-2, respectively. At the 6-month follow-up, a total of 543 primary outcomes of bleeding, 1125 death or hospitalizations, and 282 ischemic events occurred. Compared with vitamin K antagonists, patients assigned apixaban had lower rates for all 3 outcomes across most eGFR categories without significant interaction. The absolute risk reduction with apixaban was most pronounced in those with an eGFR of 30 to 50 mL·min^-1·1.73 m^-2 for bleeding events with rates of 13.1% versus 21.3% (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41-0.84). Patients assigned aspirin had a higher risk of bleeding in all eGFR categories with an even greater increase among those with eGFR >80 mL·min^-1·1.73 m^-2: 16.6% versus 5.6% (hazard ratio, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.19-4.74; P for interaction=0.007). The risk of death or hospitalization and ischemic events were comparable to aspirin and placebo across eGFR categories with hazard ratios ranging from 0.97 (95% CI, 0.76-1.23) to 1.28 (95% CI, 1.02-1.59) and from 0.75 (95% CI, 0.48-1.17) to 1.34 (95% CI, 0.81-2.22), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The safety and efficacy of apixaban was consistent irrespective of kidney function, compared with warfarin, and in accordance with the overall trial results. The risk of bleeding with aspirin was consistently higher across all kidney function categories. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02415400.

Cardiac Myosin Activation with Omecamtiv Mecarbil in Systolic Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

The selective cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil has been shown to improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. Its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown.

METHODS

We randomly assigned 8256 patients (inpatients and outpatients) with symptomatic chronic heart failure and an ejection fraction of 35% or less to receive omecamtiv mecarbil (using pharmacokinetic-guided doses of 25 mg, 37.5 mg, or 50 mg twice daily) or placebo, in addition to standard heart-failure therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of a first heart-failure event (hospitalization or urgent visit for heart failure) or death from cardiovascular causes.

RESULTS

During a median of 21.8 months, a primary-outcome event occurred in 1523 of 4120 patients (37.0%) in the omecamtiv mecarbil group and in 1607 of 4112 patients (39.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 0.99; P = 0.03). A total of 808 patients (19.6%) and 798 patients (19.4%), respectively, died from cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.11). There was no significant difference between groups in the change from baseline on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score. At week 24, the change from baseline for the median N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level was 10% lower in the omecamtiv mecarbil group than in the placebo group; the median cardiac troponin I level was 4 ng per liter higher. The frequency of cardiac ischemic and ventricular arrhythmia events was similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection, those who received omecamtiv mecarbil had a lower incidence of a composite of a heart-failure event or death from cardiovascular causes than those who received placebo. (Funded by Amgen and others; GALACTIC-HF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02929329; EudraCT number, 2016-002299-28.).

Ferric carboxymaltose for iron deficiency at discharge after acute heart failure: a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose has been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure and iron deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the effect of ferric carboxymaltose, compared with placebo, on outcomes in patients who were stabilised after an episode of acute heart failure.

METHODS

AFFIRM-AHF was a multicentre, double-blind, randomised trial done at 121 sites in Europe, South America, and Singapore. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, were hospitalised for acute heart failure with concomitant iron deficiency (defined as ferritin <100 μg/L, or 100-299 μg/L with transferrin saturation <20%), and had a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 50%. Before hospital discharge, participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intravenous ferric carboxymaltose or placebo for up to 24 weeks, dosed according to the extent of iron deficiency. To maintain masking of patients and study personnel, treatments were administered in black syringes by personnel not involved in any study assessments. The primary outcome was a composite of total hospitalisations for heart failure and cardiovascular death up to 52 weeks after randomisation, analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study treatment and had at least one post-randomisation data point. Secondary outcomes were the composite of total cardiovascular hospitalisations and cardiovascular death; cardiovascular death; total heart failure hospitalisations; time to first heart failure hospitalisation or cardiovascular death; and days lost due to heart failure hospitalisations or cardiovascular death, all evaluated up to 52 weeks after randomisation. Safety was assessed in all patients for whom study treatment was started. A pre-COVID-19 sensitivity analysis on the primary and secondary outcomes was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02937454, and has now been completed.

FINDINGS

Between March 21, 2017, and July 30, 2019, 1525 patients were screened, of whom 1132 patients were randomly assigned to study groups. Study treatment was started in 1110 patients, and 1108 (558 in the carboxymaltose group and 550 in the placebo group) had at least one post-randomisation value. 293 primary events (57·2 per 100 patient-years) occurred in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 372 (72·5 per 100 patient-years) occurred in the placebo group (rate ratio [RR] 0·79, 95% CI 0·62-1·01, p=0·059). 370 total cardiovascular hospitalisations and cardiovascular deaths occurred in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 451 occurred in the placebo group (RR 0·80, 95% CI 0·64-1·00, p=0·050). There was no difference in cardiovascular death between the two groups (77 [14%] of 558 in the ferric carboxymaltose group vs 78 [14%] in the placebo group; hazard ratio [HR] 0·96, 95% CI 0·70-1·32, p=0·81). 217 total heart failure hospitalisations occurred in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 294 occurred in the placebo group (RR 0·74; 95% CI 0·58-0·94, p=0·013). The composite of first heart failure hospitalisation or cardiovascular death occurred in 181 (32%) patients in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 209 (38%) in the placebo group (HR 0·80, 95% CI 0·66-0·98, p=0·030). Fewer days were lost due to heart failure hospitalisations and cardiovascular death for patients assigned to ferric carboxymaltose compared with placebo (369 days per 100 patient-years vs 548 days per 100 patient-years; RR 0·67, 95% CI 0·47-0·97, p=0·035). Serious adverse events occurred in 250 (45%) of 559 patients in the ferric carboxymaltose group and 282 (51%) of 551 patients in the placebo group.

INTERPRETATION

In patients with iron deficiency, a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 50%, and who were stabilised after an episode of acute heart failure, treatment with ferric carboxymaltose was safe and reduced the risk of heart failure hospitalisations, with no apparent effect on the risk of cardiovascular death.

FUNDING

Vifor Pharma.

New artificial intelligence prediction model using serial prothrombin time international normalized ratio measurements in atrial fibrillation patients on vitamin K antagonists: GARFIELD-AF

Aims

Most clinical risk stratification models are based on measurement at a single time-point rather than serial measurements. Artificial intelligence (AI) is able to predict one-dimensional outcomes from multi-dimensional datasets. Using data from Global Anticoagulant Registry in the Field (GARFIELD)-AF registry, a new AI model was developed for predicting clinical outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients up to 1 year based on sequential measures of prothrombin time international normalized ratio (PT-INR) within 30 days of enrolment.

Methods and results

Patients with newly diagnosed AF who were treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and had at least three measurements of PT-INR taken over the first 30 days after prescription were analysed. The AI model was constructed with multilayer neural network including long short-term memory and one-dimensional convolution layers. The neural network was trained using PT-INR measurements within days 0–30 after starting treatment and clinical outcomes over days 31–365 in a derivation cohort (cohorts 1–3; n = 3185). Accuracy of the AI model at predicting major bleed, stroke/systemic embolism (SE), and death was assessed in a validation cohort (cohorts 4–5; n = 1523). The model’s c-statistic for predicting major bleed, stroke/SE, and all-cause death was 0.75, 0.70, and 0.61, respectively.

Conclusions

Using serial PT-INR values collected within 1 month after starting VKA, the new AI model performed better than time in therapeutic range at predicting clinical outcomes occurring up to 12 months thereafter. Serial PT-INR values contain important information that can be analysed by computer to help predict adverse clinical outcomes.

Cardioprotective strategy in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction patients after reperfusion with percutaneous coronary intervention

Objectives

Reperfusion may cause no-reflow phenomenon. Both microvascular obstruction (MVO) and intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) have been recognized as poor prognostic factors in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate hypothesis whether cardioprotective strategy prevent IMH in MI patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

This multicenter open-label randomized clinical trial enrolled 143 patients with first acute anterior ST-elevation MI (STEMI) reperfused within 6 h after symptoms onset. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed to assess left ventricular (LV) function and microvascular injury in 23 patients within the first week (3.5±1.2 days) after STEMI. Nine patients were randomized into soluble intravenous form of quercetin (Q) group and 14 - to the control group. Q infusions were started before PCI and used during the next 5 days. MVO was visualized using early gadolinium enhancement (EGE) and IMH was detected by using T2-WI.

Results

The study groups did not differ in terms of demographic characteristics, time to admission and main clinical data. Initially, the number of LV myocardial segments with edema was similar - 7.8±1.7 in patients of Q subgroup versus 6.8±1.8 in patients of the control subgroup (p=0.245). However, patients of the Q subgroup tended to have greater number of segments with gadolinium accumulation and higher value of the transmural index (7.7±1.2 compared to 6.2±1.5; p&lt;0.05) according to the late gadolinium enhancement (Area at Risk, gray zone of AMI). According to gadolinium enhancement MVO was detected in more than 90% patients of both groups, but IMH rate was higher in the control group (53.3 vs 11.1%; p=0.03). Additionally, Q limited final infarct size assessed by CK-MB AUC 18% compare to control group (p&lt;0.021).

Conclusion

Detection of MVO and IMH by CMR can accurately demonstrate the severity of myocardial injury. Intravenous Q can decrease the rate of IMH additionally to infarct size limitation. Further investigations are needed to confirm our results and to determine whether prevention of IMH can impact on better prognosis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: GALACTIC-HF baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

AIMS

The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is being tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC-HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC-HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class ≥II, ejection fraction ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for heart failure or history of hospitalization/emergency department visit for heart failure within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic-guided dosing: 25, 37.5, or 50 mg bid). A total of 8256 patients [male (79%), non-white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean ejection fraction 27%, ischaemic aetiology in 54%, NYHA class II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide 1971 pg/mL. Heart failure therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary heart failure trials. GALACTIC-HF randomized patients representative of recent heart failure registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m² (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril/valsartan at baseline (n = 1594).

CONCLUSIONS

GALACTIC-HF enrolled a well-treated, high-risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation.

Association of Different Estimates of Renal Function With Cardiovascular Mortality and Bleeding in Atrial Fibrillation

Background

We compared different methods of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and their association with cardiovascular death and major bleeding in 14 980 patients with atrial fibrillation in the ARISTOTLE (Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation) trial.

Methods and Results

eGFR was calculated using equations based on creatinine (Cockcroft‐Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration [CKD‐EPI]) and/or cystatin C (CKD‐EPI_CysC and CKD‐EPI_{CysC+Creatinine}). These 5 eGFR equations, as well as the individual variables that are used in these equations, were assessed for correlation and discriminatory ability for cardiovascular death and major bleeding. The median age was 70.0 years, and 35.6% were women. The median eGFR was highest with Cockcroft‐Gault (74.1 mL/min) and CKD‐EPI_CysC (74.2 mL/min), and lowest with Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (66.5 mL/min). Correlation between methods ranged from 0.49 (Cockroft‐Gault and CKD‐EPI_CysC) to 0.99 (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease and CKD‐EPI). Among the eGFR equations, those based on cystatin C yielded the highest C indices for cardiovascular death and major bleeding: 0.628 (CKD‐EPI_CysC) and 0.612 (CKD‐EPI_{CysC+Creatinine}), respectively. A model based on the variables within the different eGFR equations (age, sex, weight, creatinine, and cystatin C) yielded the highest discriminatory value for both outcomes, with a C index of 0.673 and 0.656, respectively.

Conclusions

In patients with atrial fibrillation on anticoagulation, correlation between eGFR calculated using different methods varied substantially. Cystatin C–based eGFRs seem to provide the most robust information for predicting death and bleeding. A model based on the individual variables within the eGFR equations, however, provided the highest discriminatory value. Our findings may help refine risk stratification in patients with atrial fibrillation and define how renal function should be determined in future atrial fibrillation studies.

Registration

URL: https://www.clini​caltr​ials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00412984.

EU-Wide Cross-Sectional Observational Study of Lipid-Modifying Therapy Use in Secondary and Primary Care: the DA VINCI study

Aims

To provide contemporary data on the implementation of European guideline recommendations for lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) across different settings and populations and how this impacts low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement.

Methods and results

An 18 country, cross-sectional, observational study of patients prescribed LLT for primary or secondary prevention in primary or secondary care across Europe. Between June 2017 and November 2018, data were collected at a single visit, including LLT in the preceding 12 months and most recent LDL-C. Primary outcome was the achievement of risk-based 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) LDL-C goal while receiving stabilized LLT; 2019 goal achievement was also assessed. Overall, 5888 patients (3000 primary and 2888 secondary prevention patients) were enrolled; 54% [95% confidence interval (CI) 52–56] achieved their risk-based 2016 goal and 33% (95% CI 32–35) achieved their risk-based 2019 goal. High-intensity statin monotherapy was used in 20% and 38% of very high-risk primary and secondary prevention patients, respectively. Corresponding 2016 goal attainment was 22% and 45% (17% and 22% for 2019 goals) for very high-risk primary and secondary prevention patients, respectively. Use of moderate–high-intensity statins in combination with ezetimibe (9%), or any LLT with PCSK9 inhibitors (1%), was low; corresponding 2016 and 2019 goal attainment was 53% and 20% (ezetimibe combination), and 67% and 58% (PCSK9i combination).

Conclusion

Gaps between clinical guidelines and clinical practice for lipid management across Europe persist, which will be exacerbated by the 2019 guidelines. Even with optimized statins, greater utilization of non-statin LLT is likely needed to reduce these gaps for patients at highest risk.

Intensity of statin treatment after acute coronary syndrome, residual risk, and its modification by alirocumab: insights from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial

AIMS

Statins are pivotal to the secondary prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events, but some patients are statin-intolerant. We examined the effects of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor alirocumab on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events according to the intensity of background statin treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial compared alirocumab with placebo in 18,924 patients with acute coronary syndrome and dyslipidaemia despite intensive or maximum-tolerated statin treatment (including no statin if intolerance was documented). The primary outcome (major adverse cardiovascular events) comprised coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, or unstable angina. Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Baseline statin treatment was high-intensity (88.8%), low/moderate-intensity (8.7%) or none (2.4%). Median baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 86, 89 and 139 mg/dL (P < 0.001) in these statin treatment categories, respectively. Alirocumab produced similar relative reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from baseline across statin treatment subgroups, but the mean absolute reductions differed (52.9, 56.7 and 86.1 mg/dL, respectively; P < 0.001). With placebo, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events was highest in the no statin subgroup (10.8%, 10.7% and 26.0% respectively). Alirocumab reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in each statin subgroup (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.80-0.96; 0.68, 0.49-0.94; and 0.65, 0.44-0.97, respectively; Pinteraction = 0.14) with a gradient of absolute risk reduction: 1.25%, 95% CI 0.34-2.16; 3.16%, 0.38-5.94; 7.97%, 0.42-15.51; Pinteraction = 0.106).

CONCLUSIONS

PCSK9 inhibition with alirocumab reduces the relative risk of major adverse cardiovascular events after acute coronary syndrome irrespective of background statin treatment. However, patients on no statin are at high absolute risk for recurrent major adverse cardiovascular events; alirocumab substantially reduces that risk. PCSK9 inhibition may be an important therapeutic strategy for statin-intolerant patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Levosimendan Efficacy and Safety: 20 years of SIMDAX in Clinical Use

Levosimendan was first approved for clinic use in 2000, when authorisation was granted by Swedish regulatory authorities for the haemodynamic stabilisation of patients with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure. In the ensuing 20 years, this distinctive inodilator, which enhances cardiac contractility through calcium sensitisation and promotes vasodilatation through the opening of adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels on vascular smooth muscle cells, has been approved in more than 60 jurisdictions, including most of the countries of the European Union and Latin America. Areas of clinical application have expanded considerably and now include cardiogenic shock, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, advanced heart failure, right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension, cardiac surgery, critical care and emergency medicine. Levosimendan is currently in active clinical evaluation in the US. Levosimendan in IV formulation is being used as a research tool in the exploration of a wide range of cardiac and non-cardiac disease states. A levosimendan oral form is at present under evaluation in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To mark the 20 years since the advent of levosimendan in clinical use, 51 experts from 23 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and Ukraine) contributed to this essay, which evaluates one of the relatively few drugs to have been successfully introduced into the acute heart failure arena in recent times and charts a possible development trajectory for the next 20 years.

Levosimendan Efficacy and Safety: 20 Years of SIMDAX in Clinical Use

Levosimendan was first approved for clinical use in 2000, when authorization was granted by Swedish regulatory authorities for the hemodynamic stabilization of patients with acutely decompensated chronic heart failure (HF). In the ensuing 20 years, this distinctive inodilator, which enhances cardiac contractility through calcium sensitization and promotes vasodilatation through the opening of adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium channels on vascular smooth muscle cells, has been approved in more than 60 jurisdictions, including most of the countries of the European Union and Latin America. Areas of clinical application have expanded considerably and now include cardiogenic shock, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, advanced HF, right ventricular failure, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac surgery, critical care, and emergency medicine. Levosimendan is currently in active clinical evaluation in the United States. Levosimendan in IV formulation is being used as a research tool in the exploration of a wide range of cardiac and noncardiac disease states. A levosimendan oral form is at present under evaluation in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To mark the 20 years since the advent of levosimendan in clinical use, 51 experts from 23 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine) contributed to this essay, which evaluates one of the relatively few drugs to have been successfully introduced into the acute HF arena in recent times and charts a possible development trajectory for the next 20 years.

Reduction in Subtypes and Sizes of Myocardial Infarction With Ticagrelor in PEGASUS-TIMI 54

Background

Ticagrelor reduced cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke in patients with prior MI in PEGASUS‐TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events [eg, Death From Heart or Vascular Disease, Heart Attack, or Stroke] in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin). MI can occur in diverse settings and with varying severity; therefore, understanding the types and sizes of MI events prevented is of clinical importance.

Methods and Results

MIs were adjudicated by a blinded clinical events committee and categorized by subtype and fold elevation of peak cardiac troponin over the upper limit of normal. A total of 1042 MIs occurred in 898 of the 21 162 randomized patients over a median follow‐up of 33 months. The majority of the MIs (76%) were spontaneous (Type 1), with demand MI (Type 2) and stent thrombosis (Type 4b) accounting for 13% and 9%, respectively; sudden death (Type 3), percutaneous coronary intervention–related (Type 4a) and coronary artery bypass graft–related (Type 5) each accounted for <1%. Half of MIs (520, 50%) had a peak troponin ≥10x upper limit of normal and 21% of MIs (220) had a peak troponin ≥100× upper limit of normal. A total of 21% (224) were ST‐segment–elevation MI STEMI. Overall ticagrelor reduced MI (4.47% versus 5.25%, hazard ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.72–0.95, P=0.0055). The benefit was consistent among the subtypes, including a 31% reduction in MIs with a peak troponin ≥100× upper limit of normal (hazard ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.53–0.92, P=0.0096) and a 40% reduction in ST‐segment elevation MI (hazard ratio 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.46–0.78, P=0.0002).

Conclusions

In stable outpatients with prior MI, the majority of recurrent MIs are spontaneous and associated with a high biomarker elevation. Ticagrelor reduces the MI consistently among subtypes and sizes including large MIs and ST‐segment elevation MI.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01225562.

See Article by https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.010996

Short-Term Therapies for Treatment of Acute and Advanced Heart Failure-Why so Few Drugs Available in Clinical Use, Why Even Fewer in the Pipeline?

Both acute and advanced heart failure are an increasing threat in term of survival, quality of life and socio-economical burdens. Paradoxically, the use of successful treatments for chronic heart failure can prolong life but-per definition-causes the rise in age of patients experiencing acute decompensations, since nothing at the moment helps avoiding an acute or final stage in the elderly population. To complicate the picture, acute heart failure syndromes are a collection of symptoms, signs and markers, with different aetiologies and different courses, also due to overlapping morbidities and to the plethora of chronic medications. The palette of cardio- and vasoactive drugs used in the hospitalization phase to stabilize the patient's hemodynamic is scarce and even scarcer is the evidence for the agents commonly used in the practice (e.g. catecholamines). The pipeline in this field is poor and the clinical development chronically unsuccessful. Recent set backs in expected clinical trials for new agents in acute heart failure (AHF) (omecamtiv, serelaxine, ularitide) left a field desolately empty, where only few drugs have been approved for clinical use, for example, levosimendan and nesiritide. In this consensus opinion paper, experts from 26 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, U.K. and Ukraine) analyse the situation in details also by help of artificial intelligence applied to bibliographic searches, try to distil some lesson-learned to avoid that future projects would make the same mistakes as in the past and recommend how to lead a successful development project in this field in dire need of new agents.

4115Effect of alirocumab on recurrent cardiovascular events after acute coronary syndrome, according to the intensity of background statin treatment

Background

Statins are a cornerstone of therapy for coronary heart disease. We describe the effects of alirocumab (ALI) in patients (pts) with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and dyslipidaemia per category of statin use.

Methods

ODYSSEY OUTCOMES compared ALI with placebo (PBO) in 18,924 pts with recent ACS and dyslipidaemia despite high-intensity/maximum tolerated statin (atorvastatin 40–80 mg/d or rosuvastatin 20–40 mg/d). Lower doses could be used if there were symptoms, laboratory abnormalities, or contraindications with higher doses. In cases of documented intolerance to ≥2 statins, pts could qualify on no statin treatment. Pts were randomized to ALI (75 mg SC Q2W, with possible uptitration to 150 mg Q2W) or PBO. Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: CHD death, non-fatal MI, ischaemic stroke, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization). Pts were categorized by statin therapy at baseline: high intensity (88.8%), low or moderate intensity (8.7%), or no statin use (2.4%). In each category we determined the relative (hazard ratio [HR]) and absolute risk reductions (ARR) for MACE with ALI.

Results

Overall, ALI reduced MACE (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78–0.93; P<0.001). HRs were consistent across statin categories (Table). Baseline LDL-C increased across high-intensity, low/moderate-intensity, and no statin categories. Correspondingly, there was a gradient of the risk of MACE in the PBO group across these categories (10.8%, 10.7%, and 26%). With ALI treatment, the mean reduction in LDL-C from baseline to Month 4 increased across the 3 statin categories and correspondingly the ARRs for MACE were 1.3%, 3.2%, and 8.0% (P interaction <.001).

LDL-C values and MACE events All patients High-intensity statin Low-/moderate-intensity statin No statin Interaction P-value N=18,924 (100%) N=16,811 (88.8%) N=1653 (8.7%) N=460 (2.4%) (treatment x statin category) PBO (N=9462) ALI (N=9462) PBO (N=8431) ALI (N=8380) PBO (N=804) ALI (N=849) PBO (N=227) ALI (N=233) LDL-C at baseline, mmol/L, mean (SE)* 2.39 (0.01) 2.39 (0.01) 2.35 (0.01) 2.35 (0.01) 2.41 (0.03) 2.43 (0.03) 3.76 (0.08) 3.82 (0.08) Change in LDL-C from baseline to Month 4, mmol/L, mean (SE) 0.03 (0.01) −1.4 (0.01) 0.03 (0.01) −1.37 (0.01) 0.01 (0.02) −1.47 (0.02) −0.004 (0.06) −2.27 (0.06) <0.001 MACE, n (%)* 1052 (11.1) 903 (9.5) 907 (10.8) 797 (9.5) 86 (10.7) 64 (7.5) 59 (26.0) 42 (18.0) HR (95% CI) 0.85 (0.78−0.93) 0.88 (0.80−0.96) 0.69 (0.50−0.95) 0.65 (0.43−0.96) 0.14 ARR (%) (95% CI) 1.6 (0.7−2.4) 1.3 (0.3−2.2) 3.2 (0.4−5.9) 8.0 (0.4−15.5) <0.001 *P<0.001 for difference among statin categories.

Conclusions

In ODYSSEY OUTCOMES, patients unable to receive high-intensity statin treatment showed greater ARRs with ALI, consistent with higher baseline LDL-C concentration and greater absolute LDL-C reduction. Patients unable to receive high-intensity statin treatment are an important group to consider for treatment with ALI after ACS.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Funded by Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

P4747Impact of different estimates of renal function on cardiovascular mortality and major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation

Background

Renal dysfunction is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation (AF). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be calculated by different equations based on creatinine or cystatin C. We compared different methods of assessing eGFR and their association with cardiovascular (CV) death and major bleeding in 14,980 AF patients in the ARISTOTLE trial.

Methods

eGFR was calculated using equations based on creatinine (Cockcroft-Gault, MDRD, and CKD-EPI) and/or cystatin C (CKD-EPIcys and CKD-EPIcys+crea). In total five eGFR equations as well as a model based on the variables within the equations were assessed. Associations were evaluated by Spearman correlation, and discriminatory ability for CV-death and major bleeding by Harrell's c-index.

Results

Median age was 70.0 years, and 35.6% were women. Median eGFR (mL/min) were: Cockcroft-Gault 74.1, MDRD 66.5, CKD-EPI 68.5, CKD-EPIcys 74.2, and CKD-EPIcys+crea 72.6. Correlation ranged from 0.49 (Cockroft-Gault and CKD-EPIcys) to 0.99 (MDRD and CKD-EPI). Among the eGFR equations, those based on cystatin C yielded the highest c-indices for CV-death and major bleeding, 0.628 (CKD-EPIcys) and 0.612 (CKD-EPIcys+crea), respectively. A model based on the variables within the eGFR equations (age, sex, weight, creatinine, and cystatin C) yielded the highest discriminatory value for both outcomes, 0.673 and 0.656, respectively.

Figure 1

Conclusions

In patients with AF on anticoagulation, correlation between eGFR methods varied greatly. Cystatin C-based eGFR seem to provide the most robust balance in reflecting the risk of death and bleeding. However, a model based on the individual variables within the eGFR equations provided the highest discriminatory value.

Acknowledgement/Funding

The ARISTOTLE trial was funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Co Princeton, NJ and Pfizer Inc., New York, NY.

Relationship between physical activity and long-term outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease

AIMS

The aims of this study were to ascertain the relationship between level of physical activity and outcomes and to discriminate the determinants of physical activity performance or avoidance.

METHODS

CLARIFY is an international prospective registry of 32,370 consecutive outpatients with stable coronary artery disease who were followed for up to five years. Patients were grouped according to the level and frequency of physical activity: i) sedentary (n = 5223; 16.1%); ii) only light physical activity most weeks (light; n = 16,634; 51.4%); iii) vigorous physical activity once or twice per week (vigorous ≤ 2×; n = 5427; 16.8%); iv) vigorous physical activity three or more times per week (vigorous >2×; n = 5086; 15.7%). The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke.

RESULTS

Patients performing vigorous physical activity ≤2 × had the lowest risk of the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.93; p = 0.0031) taking the light group as reference. Engaging in more frequent exercise did not result in further outcome benefit. All-cause death, cardiovascular death, and stroke occurred less frequently in patients performing vigorous physical activity ≤2×. However, the rate of myocardial infarction was comparable between the four physical activity groups. Female sex, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, previous myocardial infarction or stroke, pulmonary disease and body mass index all emerged as independent predictors of lower physical activity.

CONCLUSION

Vigorous physical activity once or twice per week was associated with superior cardiac outcomes compared with patients performing no or a low level of physical activity in outpatients with stable coronary artery disease.

Trimetazidine in cardiovascular medicine

Abnormalities of myocardial energy metabolism appear as a common background of the two major cardiac disorders: ischemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure (HF). Myocardial ischemia has been recently conceived as a multifaceted syndrome that can be precipitated by a number of mechanisms including metabolic abnormalities. HF is a progressive disorder characterised by a complex interaction of haemodynamic, neurohormonal and metabolic disturbances. HF may further promote metabolic changes, generating a vicious cycle. Thus, targeting cardiac metabolism in IHD patients may prevent the deterioration of left ventricular function, stopping the progression to HF. For these reasons, several studies have explored the potential benefits of trimetazidine (TMZ), an inhibitor of free fatty acids oxidation that shifts cardiac and muscle metabolism to glucose utilization. Because of its mechanism of action, TMZ has been found to provide a cardioprotective effect in patients with angina, diabetes mellitus, and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and those undergoing revascularization procedures, without relevant side effects. In addition, the lack of interference with heart rate, arterial pressure, and most of frequent comorbidities, makes TMZ an attractive option for patients and clinicians as well. The impact of TMZ on long term mortality and morbidity in ischemic syndromes and in heart failure need to be conclusively confirmed in properly designed RCT.

Effect of Alirocumab on Mortality After Acute Coronary Syndromes

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Previous trials of PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9) inhibitors demonstrated reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events, but not death. We assessed the effects of alirocumab on death after index acute coronary syndrome.

Methods:

ODYSSEY OUTCOMES (Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcomes After an Acute Coronary Syndrome During Treatment With Alirocumab) was a double-blind, randomized comparison of alirocumab or placebo in 18 924 patients who had an ACS 1 to 12 months previously and elevated atherogenic lipoproteins despite intensive statin therapy. Alirocumab dose was blindly titrated to target achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) between 25 and 50 mg/dL. We examined the effects of treatment on all-cause death and its components, cardiovascular and noncardiovascular death, with log-rank testing. Joint semiparametric models tested associations between nonfatal cardiovascular events and cardiovascular or noncardiovascular death.

Results:

Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Death occurred in 334 (3.5%) and 392 (4.1%) patients, respectively, in the alirocumab and placebo groups (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.98; P=0.03, nominal P value). This resulted from nonsignificantly fewer cardiovascular (240 [2.5%] vs 271 [2.9%]; HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.05; P=0.15) and noncardiovascular (94 [1.0%] vs 121 [1.3%]; HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.01; P=0.06) deaths with alirocumab. In a prespecified analysis of 8242 patients eligible for ≥3 years follow-up, alirocumab reduced death (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.94; P=0.01). Patients with nonfatal cardiovascular events were at increased risk for cardiovascular and noncardiovascular deaths (P<0.0001 for the associations). Alirocumab reduced total nonfatal cardiovascular events (P<0.001) and thereby may have attenuated the number of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular deaths. A post hoc analysis found that, compared to patients with lower LDL-C, patients with baseline LDL-C ≥100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) had a greater absolute risk of death and a larger mortality benefit from alirocumab (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.90; P_interaction=0.007). In the alirocumab group, all-cause death declined with achieved LDL-C at 4 months of treatment, to a level of approximately 30 mg/dL (adjusted P=0.017 for linear trend).

Conclusions:

Alirocumab added to intensive statin therapy has the potential to reduce death after acute coronary syndrome, particularly if treatment is maintained for ≥3 years, if baseline LDL-C is ≥100 mg/dL, or if achieved LDL-C is low.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01663402.

Antithrombotic Therapy after Acute Coronary Syndrome or PCI in Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Appropriate antithrombotic regimens for patients with atrial fibrillation who have an acute coronary syndrome or have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are unclear.

METHODS

In an international trial with a two-by-two factorial design, we randomly assigned patients with atrial fibrillation who had an acute coronary syndrome or had undergone PCI and were planning to take a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor to receive apixaban or a vitamin K antagonist and to receive aspirin or matching placebo for 6 months. The primary outcome was major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding. Secondary outcomes included death or hospitalization and a composite of ischemic events.

RESULTS

Enrollment included 4614 patients from 33 countries. There were no significant interactions between the two randomization factors on the primary or secondary outcomes. Major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding was noted in 10.5% of the patients receiving apixaban, as compared with 14.7% of those receiving a vitamin K antagonist (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58 to 0.81; P<0.001 for both noninferiority and superiority), and in 16.1% of the patients receiving aspirin, as compared with 9.0% of those receiving placebo (hazard ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.59 to 2.24; P<0.001). Patients in the apixaban group had a lower incidence of death or hospitalization than those in the vitamin K antagonist group (23.5% vs. 27.4%; hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.93; P = 0.002) and a similar incidence of ischemic events. Patients in the aspirin group had an incidence of death or hospitalization and of ischemic events that was similar to that in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with atrial fibrillation and a recent acute coronary syndrome or PCI treated with a P2Y₁₂ inhibitor, an antithrombotic regimen that included apixaban, without aspirin, resulted in less bleeding and fewer hospitalizations without significant differences in the incidence of ischemic events than regimens that included a vitamin K antagonist, aspirin, or both. (Funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer; AUGUSTUS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02415400.).

Two-Point One-Loop Fermionic Amplitudes in Constant Homogeneous Magnetic Field

Two-point one-loop fermionic amplitudes modifiled by a constant homogeneous magnetic fileld are studied. In addition to the amplitudes resulted after an insertion of scalar, pseudoscalar, vector and axial-vector fermionic currents, we calculate similar amplitudes with the tensor and (pseudo)scalar vertices. The crossed-field limit of these amplitudes is presented. The tensor current is a fermionic part of the Pauli Lagrangian relevant for the electromagnetic interaction of fermions through the anomalous magnetic moment and its contribution to the photon polarization operator is briefly discussed.

Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel after fibrinolytic therapy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Rationale and design of the ticagrelor in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with thrombolysis (TREAT) trial

BACKGROUND

The safety and efficacy of ticagrelor in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with fibrinolytic therapy remain uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the TicagRElor in pAtients with ST elevation myocardial infarction treated with Thrombolysis (TREAT) trial is to evaluate the short-term safety of ticagrelor when compared with clopidogrel in STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy. Key secondary objectives are to assess the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel at 12-months.

DESIGN

The TREAT trial is a multicenter, randomized, phase III, Prospective randomized open blinded end-point (PROBE) study that enrolled 3,799 patients in 152 sites from 10 countries. Following administration of fibrinolytic therapy patients were randomized to a loading dose of ticagrelor 180 mg or clopidogrel 300 mg followed by a maintenance dose of ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily or clopidogrel 75 mg/day for 12-months. The primary outcome is the rate of TIMI major bleeding at 30-days and will be assessed for non-inferiority using an intention-to-treat analysis. Co-treatments include aspirin and anticoagulants. Other evidence based therapies are also recommended. Secondary efficacy outcome include a composite of death from vascular causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, severe recurrent ischemia, transient ischemic attack or other arterial thrombotic event. All-cause mortality as well as individual components of the combined efficacy endpoint will also be ascertained.

SUMMARY

TREAT is an international randomized controlled trial comparing ticagrelor with clopidogrel in STEMI patients treated with fibrinolytic therapy. The results of this trial will inform clinical practice and international guidelines.