P185 META–ANALYSIS OF PLACEBO–CONTROLLED TRIALS OF LEVOSIMENDAN IN ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

Introduction

Despite the potential beneficial effects in the acute phase of myocardial infarction, the use of Levosimendan in recent guidelines is currently limited to patients with heart failure and a severe reduction in cardiac output not responding to standard therapy. In spite of everything, the haemodynamic effects of the drug that reduces afterload, the beneficial pleiotropic effects on myocardial stunning and the improvement of microcirculatory indices make Levosimendan still an interesting therapeutic prospect in AMI.

Purpose of the Study

The study aimed to analyse the available data of the use of Levosimendan in the acute setting of myocardial infarction Materials and Methods This review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) and was conducted and presented according to best practice recommendations, including the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta–Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Seven selected studies were included in the meta–analysis. Meta–Analysis Levosimendan treatment was associated with a reduction in one year mortality and adverse event rates, without inconsistency. A trend of the increase of cardiac index and reduction of wedge pressure was evident, with an inconsistent effect on blood pressure and heart rate. No evidence of small study effects was found upon the inspection of funnel plots or regression tests. Finally, possibly given the limited number of included studies, metaregression analysis did not identify any major effect modifier.

Discussion

A clearly significant mortality reduction in the acute phase and long–term mortality induced by Levosimendan in AMI is evident. In the acute ischemic field, the haemodynamic properties of Levosimendan may explain part of the benefits. Levosimendan, over an inotropic effect, has a positive effect on ventriculo–arterial coupling, peripheral vasodilation consequently increasing tissue perfusion, anti–stunning effects and anti–inflammatory effects.

Conclusions

Our data support the idea that Levosimendan may already have a role in the treatment of acute ischemic heart disease. Further studies, specifically designed to investigate the early role in the treatment of ischemic heart failure are needed.

P149 AN UNUSUAL CASE OF CARDIAC TAMPONADE AND ST–SEGMENT ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

 

The case of a 70–year–old woman, a heavy smoker with lung cancer diagnosed in November 2020, is described. The patient underwent 4 cycles of chemotherapy and subsequently a maintenance therapy with atezolizumab. In May 2021, a control CT scan was performed, where multiple cerebral and left adrenal metastases were found. In June 2021, she underwent a cycle of panencephalic radiotherapy. On September 9, 2021, she needed to be admitted to the oncology ward of reference for the appearance, for a few days, of dyspnea due to light exertion and asthenia. In the ward, she was dyspnoic at rest with arterial hypotension (BP 90/60 mmHg). The ECG showed sinus rhythm 110 bpm, anterior STEMI in evolution. The cardiologist performed a bedside echocardiogram which showed abundant pericardial effusion and signs of haemodynamic commitment; akinesia of the apex and middle septum of the left ventricle; LVEF 35%. He was conducted in the angiography room and subjected to pericardiocentesis, guided echo, via the subxiphoid route. 650 ml of blood fluid were removed; on echocardiographic control, a clear reduction of the pericardial effusion was noted. The BP after the procedure went back to 140/80 mmHg and the HR was 100 bpm. Coronary angiography was performed which demonstrated critical stenosis of the mid–segment LAD. After a collegial discussion between the cardiologist and the oncologist which took into account: the presence of haematic pericardial effusion, brain metastatic lesions, a life expectancy <6 months and uncertain date of the heart attack, it was decided not to treat the coronary lesion. A total body CT scan, performed on 13 September, demonstrated widespread and irregular pericardial thickening with nodulations and enhancement due to neoplastic infiltration and the appearance of new metastases in the liver and pancreas. On 14 September, the patient died of respiratory failure. In the literature, only 2 cases are reported with some analogy with the one described.

Conclusion

A rare case of association between haematic pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and myocardial infarction is reported; the priority was to drain the pericardial effusion while the complexity of the case required a collegial assessment between oncologist and cardiologist which led to the decision of not to treat coronary artery lesion on LAD, due to the high risk of bleeding, the short life expectancy and the uncertain date of the heart attack.

Different COVID19 pandemic phases & STEMI: experience from an Italian hub centre

Introduction and methods

During Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic a reduction in ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction with an increase in in-hospital mortality has been observed. In our region the pandemic temporal trend was sinusoidal with peaks and valleys. A first outbreak (phase-peak 1 “P-P1”) was in March 2020 (248.12 cases for 100,000 inhabitants), a reduction (phase-valley 1 “P-V1”) in May 2020 (16.68 cases for 100,000 inhabitants) and a second outbreak (phase-peak 2 “P-P2”) in November 2020 (540.17 cases for 100,000 inhabitants; data from Italian Health Ministry). Our hospital was reorganized as one of the 13 Macro-Hubs identified in Lombardy for the treatment of STEMI. Here we describe our experience in the treatment of STEMI patients in the three different phases of COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

In the three different phases the groups were superimposable for mean characteristics, but they differ for COVID-19 infection incidence (table). At multivariate analysis for the entire population COVID-19 infection (OR 45.8 [95% CI] 1.39–1511.79; p=0.03) was the only independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. Focusing on COVID-19 patients (figure) they experienced a 5-time increased incidence of in-hospital mortality (COVID-19pos vs COVID-19neg, 50% vs 11.1%; p=0.02). Moreover, the compresence of COVID-19 infection induced an 8 times increased risk of death (OR 8; [95% CI] 1.85–34.60; p=0.005) determined by a higher incidence respiratory complications (COVID-19pos vs COVID-19neg, 33.3% vs 8.9%; p=0.03) with a similar incidence of cardiac death (COVID-19pos vs COVID-19neg, 16.7% vs 11.17%; p=0.60).

Conclusions

In conclusion our data suggest the crucial necessity of an early and precise diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in STEMI to establish a correct management of this very high risk patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. STEMI mortality in COVID+ vs COVID−

New onset atrial fibrillation in STEMI patients: main prognostic factors and clinical outcome

Background

New onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is not a so rare condition among patients hospitalized for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Several studies showed that NOAF during an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) leads to increased mortality, both at short and long term. The indications for the treatment of patients with known AF undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are clear, while less is available about the management of NOAF during ACS and in particular during STEMI. The purpose of this study is therefore to evaluate mortality and clinical outcome of this high risk subgroup of patients.

Methods

We analysed 1455 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography and/or PCI for STEMI. CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were calculated for all patients. In-hospital, 1-year and long-term follow up mortality was evaluated for all patients. Cerebral ischemic and hemorrhagic events were also evaluated as clinical endpoints at 1 year.

Results

NOAF was detected in 102 subjects, 62.7% males, with a mean age of 74.8±10.6 years. We found a high prevalence of main cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoke and renal failure. Mean ejection fraction (EF) was 43.5±12.1% and the mean atrial volume was increased (58±20.9 ml). The most represented type of MI at admission was anterior STEMI (46%). NOAF occurred mainly in the peri-acute phase and had a very variable duration (8.1±12.5 min). During hospitalization all patients were treated with Enoxaparin, but only 25.2% of them were discharged with long term oral anticoagulation (16.7% warfarin, 4.9% direct oral anticoagulant). The majority of patients had a CHA2DS2-VASc score >2 and a HAS-BLED score of 2 or 3. In-hospital mortality was 14.2%, while 1-year mortality was 17.2% and long term mortality 32.1% (median follow-up time 1820 days, range 341 to 3985). Through a logistic regression analysis we identified age as an independent predictor of mortality both at short and long term follow up, while EF was the only independent predictor for in-hospital mortality and arrhythmia duration for 1-year mortality. At 1-year follow up we recorded three ischemic strokes, while no bleeding complications.

Conclusions

STEMI patients who develop NOAF are a very high-risk population and are characterized by increased short and long term mortality. NOAF should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible with a correct indication to long term OAC based on the ratio between ischemic and hemorrhagic risk.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis: a retrospective analysis from a centre of South Italy

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of the children affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who developed uveitis.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, we have examined data of 109 patients aged from 3 to 16 years, affected by JIA and followed at Paediatrics Rheumatology Clinic and Ophthalmology Clinic of University Hospital of Messina in the period from 2007 to 2017. The main outcome measures were clinical and laboratory findings related to JIA and ocular involvement. The prevalence of ocular signs and symptoms was determined and correlated with age.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (19.3%) subjects developed uveitis. Two different peaks of age with ocular involvement were registered. The first occurred between 4 and 6 years and the second between 10 and 12 years. All subjects in the first group resulted to be female, presented oligoarticular arthritis and chronic anterior uveitis. In the second group, the 84% of patients were male with different types of JIA and acute anterior uveitis. The prevalence of ocular complications was higher in the first group.

CONCLUSIONS

Two peaks of age emerged and were characterized by different clinical outcomes of arthritis and ocular involvement. The first occurred between 4 and 6 years and interested females affected by oligoarticular JIA who develop chronic anterior uveitis. The second appeared at 10-12 years and interested older males affected by different types of JIA with acute anterior uveitis. Early diagnosis and cooperation between paediatric rheumatologist and ophthalmologist are of great importance in the proper management of JIA children with uveitis.

Atorvastatin therapy improves exercise oxygen uptake kinetics in post-myocardial infarction patients

BACKGROUND

Statins represent a modern mainstay of the drug treatment of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes. Reduced aerobic work performance and slowed VO(2) kinetics are established features of the clinical picture of post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. We tested the hypothesis that statin therapy improves VO(2) exercise performance in normocholesterolaemic post-MI patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

According to a double-blinded, randomized, crossover and placebo-controlled study design, in 18 patients with uncomplicated recent (3 days) MI we investigated the effects of atorvastatin (20 mg day(-1)) on gas exchange kinetics by calculating VO(2) effective time constant (tau) during a 50-watt constant workload exercise, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) as an index of endothelial function, left ventricular function (echocardiography) and C-reactive protein (CRP, as an index of inflammation). Atorvastatin or placebo was given for 3 months each.

RESULTS

Atorvastatin therapy significantly improved exercise VO(2) tau and FMD, and reduced CRP levels. We did not observe changes in cardiac contractile function and relaxation properties during all study periods in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

In post-MI patients exercise performance is a potential additional target of benefits related to statin therapy. Endothelial function improvement is very likely implicated in this newly described therapeutic property.

The behaviour of the flow-mediated brachial artery vasodilatation during orthostatic stress in normal man

AIMS

Flow-mediated brachial artery vasodilatation is an index of endothelial function. Published literature describes only supine data and no study has been performed during vertical displacement. This subject deserves investigation for two main reasons: humans spend the larger part of their life in the upright position; this position has significant effects on neural vascular regulation.

METHODS

In 21 healthy men (25 +/- 2 years) the flow-dependent brachial artery vasodilating response to distal circulatory arrest was assessed by Doppler ultrasound imaging, while supine and during 20 degrees and 60 degrees head-up tilting (HUT). In 11 of these subjects the vasodilating response to nitroglycerine was also explored.

RESULTS

Absolute and percentage increments in brachial calibre during hyperaemia after deflation of the occluding cuff became increasingly greater at 20 degrees (+0.44 mm) and 60 degrees (+0.92 mm) HUT (P < 0.01), compared with the horizontal position (+0.27 mm), and the arterial dilatation for an increase in flow (0.98 +/- 0.08 and 1.68 +/- 0.06 mm mL(-1) min(-1) x 1000, respectively) was larger (P < 0.01) than occurred while supine (0.41 +/- 0.05 mm mL(-1) min(-1) x 1000). Nitroglycerine-mediated vasodilatation at 60 degrees HUT was similar to that in the supine position.

CONCLUSION

The orthostatic stimulus is associated with an increase of the flow-mediated brachial artery vasodilatation, which is proportional to the degree of displacement. The mechanism of this effect does not consist of changes in nitric oxide sensitivity.