Peptidomics Unveils Distinct Acetylation Patterns of Histone and Annexin A1 in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a common malignancy of the endocrine system. Nodules are routinely evaluated for malignancy risk by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), and in cases such as follicular lesions, differential diagnosis between benign and malignant nodules is highly uncertain. Therefore, the discovery of new biomarkers for this disease could be helpful in improving diagnostic accuracy. Thyroid nodule biopsies were subjected to a precipitation step with both the insoluble and supernatant fractions subjected to proteome and peptidome profiling. Proteomic analysis identified annexin A1 as a potential biomarker of thyroid cancer malignancy, with its levels increased in malignant samples. Also upregulated were the acetylated peptides of annexin A1, revealed by the peptidome analysis of the supernatant fraction. In addition, supernatant peptidomic analysis revealed a number of acetylated histone peptides that were significantly elevated in the malignant group, suggesting higher gene transcription activity in malignant tissue. Two of these peptides were found to be robust malignancy predictors, with an area under the receiver operating a characteristic curve (ROC AUC) above 0.95. Thus, this combination of proteomics and peptidomics analyses improved the detection of malignant lesions and also provided new evidence linking thyroid cancer development to heightened transcription activity. This study demonstrates the importance of peptidomic profiling in complementing traditional proteomics approaches.

Proteomics Reveals mRNA Regulation and the Action of Annexins in Thyroid Cancer

Differentiated thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine system. Although most thyroid nodules are benign, given the high incidence of thyroid nodules in the population, it is important to understand the differences between benign and malignant thyroid cancer and the molecular alterations associated with malignancy to improve detection and signal potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets. Proteomics analysis of benign and malignant human thyroid tissue largely revealed changes indicating modifications in RNA regulation, a common cancer characteristic. In addition, changes in the immune system and cell membrane/endocytic processes were also suggested to be involved. Annexin A1 was considered a potential malignancy biomarker and, similarly to other annexins, it was found to increase in the malignant group. Furthermore, a bioinformatics approach points to the transcription factor Sp1 as being potentially involved in most of the alterations seen in the malignant thyroid nodules.

Predictive value of a positive stress single-photon emission computed tomography or stress cardiac magnetic resonance for ruling in obstructive coronary artery disease in a real-world setting

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Randomized controlled trials comparing stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) suggest similar diagnostic accuracy for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). There are few data on whether this remains true in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study was to assess clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA) after stress CMR or SPECT, and to compare their positive predictive value with published results from the CE-MARC trial.

METHODS

In this retrospective tertiary-center analysis, we included 429 patients undergoing ICA after a positive stress CMR or positive SPECT performed within the previous 12 months. Obstructive CAD was defined as any coronary artery stenosis ≥50% in a vessel compatible with the ischemic territory on stress testing.

RESULTS

Of the total 429 patients, 356 (83%) were referred after a positive SPECT, and 73 (17%) after a positive stress CMR. Patients did not differ according to age, cardiovascular risk factors, previous revascularization or left ventricular dysfunction, but patients with SPECT were more frequently male (p=0.046). The prevalence of obstructive CAD was similar in patients with positive SPECT vs. positive stress CMR (76.1% vs. 80.8%, respectively, p=0.385). The positive predictive values of both techniques were similar to those reported in the CE-MARC trial.

CONCLUSION

In this tertiary center analysis, stress CMR and SPECT showed similar positive predictive values, comparable to those reported in the CE-MARC trial. This finding supports the emerging adoption of CMR in clinical practice for the diagnosis and management of CAD.

Applied coronary physiology for planning and guidance of percutaneous coronary interventions. A clinical consensus statement from the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) of the European Society of Cardiology

The clinical value of fractional flow reserve and non-hyperaemic pressure ratios are well established in determining an indication for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). In addition, over the last 5 years we have witnessed a shift towards the use of physiology to enhance procedural planning, assess post-PCI functional results, and guide PCI optimisation. In this regard, clinical studies have reported compelling data supporting the use of longitudinal vessel analysis, obtained with pressure guidewire pullbacks, to better understand how obstructive CAD contributes to myocardial ischaemia, to establish the likelihood of functionally successful PCI, to identify the presence and location of residual flow-limiting stenoses and to predict long-term outcomes. The introduction of new functional coronary angiography tools, which merge angiographic information with fluid dynamic equations to deliver information equivalent to intracoronary pressure measurements, are now available and potentially also applicable to these endeavours. Furthermore, the ability of longitudinal vessel analysis to predict the functional results of stenting has played an integral role in the evolving field of simulated PCI. Nevertheless, it is important to have an awareness of the value and challenges of physiology-guided PCI in specific clinical and anatomical contexts. The main aim of this European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions clinical consensus statement is to offer up-to-date evidence and expert opinion on the use of applied coronary physiology for procedural PCI planning, disease pattern recognition and post-PCI optimisation.

Human-umbilical cord matrix mesenchymal cells improved left ventricular contractility independently of infarct size in swine myocardial infarction with reperfusion

Background

Human umbilical cord matrix-mesenchymal stromal cells (hUCM-MSC) have demonstrated beneficial effects in experimental acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Reperfusion injury hampers myocardial recovery in a clinical setting and its management is an unmet need. We investigated the efficacy of intracoronary (IC) delivery of xenogeneic hUCM-MSC as reperfusion-adjuvant therapy in a translational model of AMI in swine.

Methods

In a placebo-controlled trial, pot-belied pigs were randomly assigned to a sham-control group (vehicle-injection; n = 8), AMI + vehicle (n = 12) or AMI + IC-injection (n = 11) of 5 × 10⁵ hUCM-MSC/Kg, within 30 min of reperfusion. AMI was created percutaneously by balloon occlusion of the mid-LAD. Left-ventricular function was blindly evaluated at 8-weeks by invasive pressure-volume loop analysis (primary endpoint). Mechanistic readouts included histology, strength-length relationship in skinned cardiomyocytes and gene expression analysis by RNA-sequencing.

Results

As compared to vehicle, hUCM-MSC enhanced systolic function as shown by higher ejection fraction (65 ± 6% vs. 43 ± 4%; p = 0.0048), cardiac index (4.1 ± 0.4 vs. 3.1 ± 0.2 L/min/m²; p = 0.0378), preload recruitable stroke work (75 ± 13 vs. 36 ± 4 mmHg; p = 0.0256) and end-systolic elastance (2.8 ± 0.7 vs. 2.1 ± 0.4 mmHg*m²/ml; p = 0.0663). Infarct size was non-significantly lower in cell-treated animals (13.7 ± 2.2% vs. 15.9 ± 2.7%; Δ = -2.2%; p = 0.23), as was interstitial fibrosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in the remote myocardium. Sarcomere active tension improved, and genes related to extracellular matrix remodelling (including MMP9, TIMP1 and PAI1), collagen fibril organization and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis were downregulated in animals treated with hUCM-MSC.

Conclusion

Intracoronary transfer of xenogeneic hUCM-MSC shortly after reperfusion improved left-ventricular systolic function, which could not be explained by the observed extent of infarct size reduction alone. Combined contributions of favourable modification of myocardial interstitial fibrosis, matrix remodelling and enhanced cardiomyocyte contractility in the remote myocardium may provide mechanistic insight for the biological effect.

Predicting obstructive coronary artery disease in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A practical clinical score

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the most common etiology of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, there is controversy whether invasive coronary angiography (ICA) should be used initially to exclude CAD in patients presenting with new-onset HFrEF of unknown etiology. Our study aimed to develop a clinical score to quantify the risk of obstructive CAD in these patients.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional observational study of 452 consecutive patients presenting with new-onset HFrEF of unknown etiology undergoing elective ICA in one academic center, between January 2005 and December 2019. Independent predictors for obstructive CAD were identified. A risk score was developed using multivariate logistic regression of designated variables. The accuracy and discriminative power of the predictive model were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 109 patients (24.1%) presented obstructive CAD. Six independent predictors were identified and included in the score: male gender (2 points), diabetes (1 point), dyslipidemia (1 point), smoking (1 point), peripheral arterial disease (1 point), and regional wall motion abnormalities (3 points). Patients with a score ≤3 had less than 15% predicted probability of obstructive CAD. Our score showed good discriminative power (C-statistic 0.872; 95% CI 0.834-0.909: p<0.001) and calibration (p=0.333 from the goodness-of-fit test).

CONCLUSIONS

A simple clinical score showed the ability to predict the risk of obstructive CAD in patients presenting with new-onset HFrEF of unknown etiology and may guide the clinician in selecting the most appropriate diagnostic modality for the assessment of obstructive CAD.

Invasive assessment of aortic stenosis in contemporary practice

The authors review the current role of cardiac catheterization in the characterization of aortic stenosis, its main clinical applications, its pitfalls, and its additional value to the information provided by echocardiography. Discrepancies that may arise between these two modalities are discussed and further explained. Hemodynamic variables besides transvalvular pressure drop are described, and emphasis is given to an integrative approach to aortic stenosis assessment, that includes invasive and noninvasive evaluation.

A case of lymphocytic myocarditis in a patient treated with an immune checkpoint inhibitor, a recent class of chemotherapy agents

Chemotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity is a common adverse event. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) - a new class of monoclonal antibodies - have revolutionized the management of various diseases. Their use is expected to increase in the near future and their cardiac side effects have been increasingly recognized. CLINICAL CASE: We describe a case of a 67-year-old female patient with urothelial carcinoma undergoing treatment with pembrolizumab who presented to the emergency department with progressive fatigue, retrosternal pain and palpitations for three days. On admission she was diagnosed with acute heart failure (HF). The electrocardiogram revealed a right bundle branch block and ventricular bigeminy. Blood tests showed elevated troponin I, while transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe left ventricular dysfunction. Coronary angiography excluded coronary artery disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed moderate left ventricular dysfunction and late gadolinium enhancement typical of myocarditis. Endomyocardial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of lymphocytic myocarditis. In the first 48h of hospitalization, she developed transient complete AV block. Corticoid and HF therapy were initiated, leading to symptom improvement and disappearance of the rhythm disturbances. She was discharged on the 12th day, maintaining moderate LV dysfunction, which improved only mildly at a subsequent outpatient assessment. She died suddenly 35 days after discharge. CONCLUSION: Lymphocytic myocarditis is a serious cardiac side effect of ICI therapy. Pembrolizumab is increasingly used, so it is important to be aware of its effects, in order to perform an early diagnosis and provide adequate treatment. Corticosteroid therapy seems to be crucial in preventing disease progression and enabling ventricular remodeling.

Oral Presentation No. 81 A STEMI case with sub-occlusive lesion and high thrombotic burden – discussing a tailored approach

A 57-year-old man was admitted with an anterior wall STEMI. The patient had a past medical history of pulmonary thromboembolism after an abdominal surgery and peripheral artery disease. After receiving loading doses of aspirin and unfractionated heparin, the patient underwent emergent coronary angiography (CA), that revealed a high thrombotic sub-occlusive lesion in the middle left anterior descending artery (mLAD), with TIMI 3 flow. At the time of CA, the ST elevation had disappeared, and the patient was asymptomatic. PCI had the risk of distal embolization and wiring of the false lumen if a dissection was present. Given the patient stability and absence of pain, the team decided to optimize anti-thrombotic therapy - aspirin + ticagrelor + enoxaparin - and repeat the CA within 72–96 h. The patient remained asymptomatic without angina or heart failure. Repeated CA showed a significant reduction of thrombus in the mLAD, maintaining TIMI 3 flow. A non-obstructive lesion was noted, being unclear if there was plaque rupture or localized dissection. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) showed a coronary calcium score of 0 and an endoluminal flap in the mLAD, with a partial non-obstructive thrombosis. Echocardiography showed preserved LVEF without segmental abnormalities. Given the good results of anti-thrombotic therapy, the patient was discharged with aspirin, clopidogrel and rivaroxaban 2.5 mg 2id for 2 months and PCI was not performed. A follow-up CCTA within 2 months was scheduled. This case illustrates a complex STEMI case with a high thrombotic burden. The best strategy in such cases is open to debate.

Peri-procedural, 30-day and 1 year-outcomes in chronic dialysis patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background

Patients on chronic dialysis (CD) due to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis eligible for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were excluded from randomized clinical trials. Our study aimed to investigate the outcomes of patients with chronic dialysis who underwent TAVI.

Methods

Single center analysis on prospectively collected data of all consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between January 2011 and December 2020 according to baseline renal function: chronic dialysis group (CD) and control group (CTRL). Procedural, 30-day and 1-year outcomes were assessed. Outcomes were defined in accordance with the VARC-3 criteria.

Results

A total of 875 patients underwent TAVI during the study period, of whom 22 (2.5%) were on chronic dialysis. Patients on CD were younger (median age 80 years, [IQR 73–84] vs 84 years, [IQR 80–87]; p&lt;0.001), more likely to be men [365/863 (42.8%) vs 18/22 (81.8%); p&lt;0.001] and more likely to have peripheral vascular disease [41/853 (4.8%) vs 7/22 (31.8%); p=0.031] and lower body mass index (median 24.1 kg/m2, [IQR 21.5–26.5] vs 26.3 kg/m2, [IQR 23.7–29.3]). Short-term major or life-threatening bleeding were significantly higher in CD patients (odds ratio [95% confidential interval]: 3.67 [1.50–8.96], p 0.005). In contrast, no differences were found regarding rates of vascular complications requiring intervention (OR [95% CI]: 1.35 [0.31–5.90], p=0.662), permanent pacemaker implantation (OR [95% CI]: 0.87 [0.25–2.98], p=1.000) or stroke (OR [95% CI]: 1.51 [0.20–11.64], p=0.504). Importantly, dialysis patients had significantly higher rates of in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality rates (13.6 vs 2.1%, p&lt;0.001; 18.9% vs 2.9, p&lt;0.001 and 26.4% vs 10.7%, p&lt;0.001, respectively). On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, relevant co-morbidities, and procedure-related complications, CD remained independently associated with mortality at 1-year. Survival curves during follow up are presented in Figure 1.

Conclusions

Chronic dialysis patients submitted to TAVI had significantly higher rates of short-term life threatening and/or major bleeding, short-term and long-term mortality. Careful selection of patients who would benefit from TAVI among patients with ERDS requiring dialysis is necessary to prevent high rates of postprocedural complications and improve outcomes of this high-risk population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Value of cardiopulmonary exercise test submaximal parameters in the assessment of aortic stenosis patients

Background

Exercise test is recommended for risk stratification of asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), although a significant number of patients can't perform a maximal exercise test, increasing the potential value of sub-maximal parameters for the assessment of these patients.

Aim

To assess which parameters could be useful for risk stratification in case of a submaximal Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) in asymptomatic patients with severe AS.

Methods

Retrospective evaluation of adult patients with asymptomatic severe AS, in a single center, who underwent CPET between December 2016 and November 2021. All patients underwent a treadmill CPET using an exercise protocol with progressive increase in workload. Patients were divided in group A (maximal CPET) or group B, respectively, if respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was &gt;1.10 at peak exercise or below this value. Known parameters accessed in a submaximal CPET were evaluated: mean minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope (VE/VCO2), VO2 value in first ventilatory threshold (VT1), peak circulatory power, and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES).

Results

CPET was performed in 25 patients with severe asymptomatic AS (80 years ± 7 years, 56% male), median AVA was 0.86 cm2 [IQR 0.65–0.95 cm2] and transaortic pressure gradient was 46 mmHg [IQR 41–55 mmHg]. The most used protocol was a ramp slope. Nineteen patients (76%) didn't reach a RER&gt;1.10 (group B) due to respiratory (26%) or peripheral limitation (53%). Comparing both groups, group B patients showed a shorter duration of exercise of (8±3 min vs. 9±4 min, p=0.422), and a lowest mean peak VO2 (16.3±3.6 vs. 20.5±6.9 ml/kg/min, p=0.207). In our population, bivariate analyses demonstrated that OUES was the only submaximal parameter that could discriminate both groups: Group B patients had the lowest values (1.53 [IQR 1.47–1.70] vs. 1.94 [IQR 1.56–2.11], p=0.042). ROC curve analysis of OUES values revealed an AUC of 0.78 (p=0.042) for maximal CPET prediction. The cut-off point with most sensitivity (S) and specificity (E) obtained using the Youden index (0.62) was 1.9 (S≈67%; E≈95%) (Figure 1).

Conclusions

In our cohort of asymptomatic AS patients, even with submaximal CPET, OUES accurately identify patients with higher degrees of functional limitation. Whether OUES is useful as prognostic marker to the workflow treatment of AS it's worth to be assessed prospectively.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Vascular closure device in TAVI with a dedicated endovascular plug-based device – experience from a high-volume tertiary center

Background

Vascular complications at the access site are important adverse events during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Effective, reproducible, and safe closure of large bore arteriotomies remains challenging as management strategies vary among centers and operators. MANTAÒ is a dedicated plug-based vascular closure device (VCD) recently approved for percutaneous access site closure. This study aimed to describe our experience and to determine the safety and effectiveness of MANTAÒ for large bore arteriotomies during transfemoral TAVI.

Methods

Single center retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data of all consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI from 2018 to 2020. The primary safety outcomes were access-related vascular injury and bleeding complications according to VARC-3 criteria. Technical success was defined as puncture closure obtained with MANTAÒ without the use of unplanned endovascular or surgical intervention. A secondary analysis according to center experience was performed.

Results

Of the 535 patients that underwent transfemoral TAVI during the study period (median age = 84 [IQR 80–87], 39.4% male; median EuroSCORE II of 3.89% [IQR 2.62–5.39]), MANTAÒ VCD was deployed in 320 (59.8%). Overall, 32 (10.0%) patients suffered an access-related vascular injury and 22 (6.6%) had a bleeding complication (Figure 1A). Technical success was achieved in most cases (n=298; 93.1%). 30-day mortality rate was 1.6% (n=5). Since the first deployment in mid-2018, the rates of MANTA-related complications decreased with increasing experience and a steep learning curve effect was noted (Figure 1B).

Conclusions

MANTAÒ was rapidly adopted as the default strategy for vascular access site closure after TAVI at our center. A relatively steep learning was observed, suggesting that few procedures are required to acquire device proficiency. In addition, our results suggest that MANTA Ò can effectively close large bore arteriotomies with a low risk of severe complications.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Contemporary prevalence of coronary artery disease in patients referred for heart valve surgery

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing heart valve surgery are routinely evaluated for the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, concomitant valve intervention and surgical revascularization is recommended when there is obstructive CAD. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of CAD, its treatment strategies, and their prognostic implications in a contemporary population of patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) referred for valve surgery (HVS).

METHODS

In a multicenter registry, consecutive patients with formal indication for HVS referred for a preoperative routine invasive coronary angiogram (ICA) were analyzed. Baseline characteristics, CAD prevalence and revascularization patterns, as well as their impact on short and mid-term all-cause mortality, were assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, 1133 patients were included; most had aortic stenosis (69%) and obstructive CAD was present in 307 (27.1%). HVS was ultimately performed in 82.3%. In patients with CAD, 53.4% were revascularized. After a mean follow-up time of 29.06±18.46 months, all-cause mortality rate was 12.9%. In multivariate analysis, not having HVS (HR 6.845, 95% CI=4.281-10.947, P<0.001), obstructive CAD (HR 2.762, 95% CI=1.764-4.326, P<0.01), COPD (HR 2.043, 95% CI=1.014-4.197, P=0.022), and age (HR 1.030, 95% CI=1.009-1.063, P=0.047), were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. In patients with obstructive CAD who underwent HVS, revascularization was not significantly associated with survival (HR 2.127, 95% CI=0.0-4.494, P=0.048; log rank P=0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

In a contemporary cohort of patients with VHD and surgical indication, overall obstructive CAD prevalence was 27%. CAD presence and severity were associated with higher mortality. However, revascularization was not associated with a survival benefit, except in patients with left anterior descending artery disease.

Adoption and patterns of use of invasive physiological assessment of coronary artery disease in a large cohort of 40821 real-world procedures over a 12-year period

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Use of invasive physiological assessment in patients with coronary artery disease varies widely and is perceived to be low. We aimed to examine adoption rates as well as patterns and determinants of use in an unselected population undergoing invasive coronary angiography over a long time frame.

METHODS

We retrospectively determined the per-procedure prevalence of physiological assessment in 40821 coronary cases performed between 2007 and 2018 in two large-volume centers. Adoption was examined according to procedure type and patient- and operator-related variables. Its association with relevant scientific landmarks, such as the release of clinical trial results and practice guidelines, was also assessed.

RESULTS

Overall adoption was low, ranging from 0.6% in patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography due to underlying valve disease, to 6% in the setting of stable coronary artery disease (CAD); it was 3.1% in patients sustaining an acute coronary syndrome. Of scientific landmarks, FAME 1, the long-term results of FAME 2 and the 2014 European myocardial revascularization guidelines were associated with changes in practice. Publication of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) trials had no influence on adoption rates, except for a higher proportion of iFR use. In 42.9% of stable CAD patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention there was no objective non-invasive evidence of ischemia, nor was physiological assessment performed. Younger operator age (4.5% vs. 4.0% vs. 0.9% for ages <40, 40-55 and >55 years, respectively; p<0.001) and later time of procedure during the day (2.9% between 6 and 8 p.m. vs. 4.4% at other times) were independent correlates of use of invasive physiology.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms the low use of invasive physiology in routine practice. The availability of resting indices did not increase adoption. Strategies are warranted to promote guideline implementation and to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.

TAVI via alternative access routes: patient selection and 10-year center experience

Background

Femoral access is considered the gold standard for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, this route might be precluded due to the presence of tortuosity, small vessel diameter and/or peripheral artery disease. We aimed to investigate TAVI through an alternative access (AA), focusing on the selection criteria and clinical outcomes compared to the femoral route (TF).

Methods

We conducted an all-comers longitudinal single-centre prospective registry in whom a TAVI was performed. The feasibility, safety and efficacy of TAVI by means of an access route other than standard TF was assessed, according to the VARC-2 criteria. The prospective surgical criteria used at our institution to accept an AA route were: a) TF deemed inappropriate; b) acceptable haemorrhagic risk; c) acceptable general anaesthesia risk; and d) adequate anatomy and diameter within acceptable range (subclavian, axillar, transaortic) or e) age &lt;85 years and non-frail patient (transapical). The primary endpoint was all-cause death at 1-year.

Results

From 2008 to 2018, there were 548 patients submitted to TAVI [median age 84 (79–87) years, males 45.4%]. An AA route was used in 100 patients (79 trans-apical, 9 trans-aortic, and 12 trans-subclavian), with a decreasing rate over follow-up (−11% per year). Compared to TF, these patients were younger [80 (77–84) vs. 85 (80–87) years; p&lt;0.001) with a similar baseline surgical risk as per EuroSCORE II [5.1 (3.3–9.0) vs. 4.7 (3.3–7.0); p=0.410). AA patients presented a higher burden of atherosclerotic disease, namely coronary (54.0 vs. 41.3%; p&lt;0.001) and peripheral artery disease (35.0 vs. 16.5%, p&lt;0.001) despite a lower number of other comorbidities (e.g. glomerular filtration rate &lt;50mL/min: 53.1 vs. 64.8%; p=0.030). Left ventricular ejection fraction (56±13 vs 55±12%; p=0.203) and aortic stenosis severity (e.g. valve area: 0.70±0.19 vs. 0.67±0.18cm2; p=0.302) were similar between groups. Haemorrhagic events (minor or major) following TAVI were less often documented in the AA group (11.0 vs 21.7%; p=0.015), contrasting with de novo atrial fibrillation (18.5 vs 7.6%; p=0.048). Overall, 67 patients met the primary endpoint (18.8 vs 16.2%; p=0.584). After adjusted multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of one-year mortality did not include the TAVI access route.

Conclusion

In the first 10 years of experience, 1 in every 6 patients was treated with a TAVI by means of an AA, most often trans-apically initially and, nowadays, via a trans-subclavian approach. The use of meticulous prospective selection criteria seems to explain the one-year similar results, regardless of the access route.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Predicting pacemaker dependency after TAVI with pre-procedural MSCT

Background and aim

High degree conduction disturbances is a burdensome complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). There is limited data whether such disorders are permanent or reversible. Anatomic surrogates, such as membranous septum [MS, a distance marker from aortic annulus to His-bundle surge] and calcium distribution within aortic valve have been associated with pacemaker (PM) implantation. The aim of our study was to assess predictors of long-term pacemaker dependency following TAVI.

Methods

Single center prospectively included patients that underwent pacemaker implantation following TAVI (March 2017 to September 2020). Patients who were lost to follow up, with bicuspid aortic valve, previously implanted PM and non-available or low quality MSCT exam were excluded. On MSCT, MS length was measured on modified coronal view, the aortic-valvular complex (AVC) was characterized by leaflet sector and calcium distribution was assessed on a J-score threshold of 850-Hounsfield units. Pacemaker dependency was assessed by reducing ventricular pacing to 30 bpm and defined by subsequent complete AV dissociation in patients in sinus rhythm or an escape rhythm &lt;50 bpm in atrial fibrillation, in addition of &gt;90% pacing percentage since implantation.

Results

From the 352 patients with inclusion criteria, 67 underwent PM implantation (19%) and 55 included in the analysis (male 33.9%, median age=85) (Figure). Median time for pacemaker implantation was 3 days [interquartile range (IQR) 3–5 days], mostly due to complete auriculo-ventricular block (76.4%, N=42). PM dependency occurred in 14 out of 55 (25.5%) patients at mean follow up of 500±363 days. Patients with PM dependency tended to have deeper implantation depth, (6.2 mm vs 5.5 mm, p=0.096) and a significantly shorter MS (5.8 mm vs 6.8 mm, P-value = 0.031) (Table). Increasing MS length was independently associated with a lower risk of PM dependency [odds ratio (OR) 0.58 per mm; 95% CI: 0.35–0.98, p=0.04] regardless prosthesis choice. MS length under 5 mm had 97.6% specificity (95% CI: 87.1–99.9) and 85.7% positive predictive value for pacemaker dependency (AUC=76.7; 95% CI 63.3–87).

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the importance of MSCT-derived MS length to stratify the risk of long term need for pacemaker. Patients with short MS (&lt;5mm) in addition to conduction abnormality following TAVI had a high likelihood of PM dependency on the long term and should be considered for prompt PM implantation.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ST-elevation myocardial infarction: data from two Portuguese centers

Introduction

Recently during the COVID-19 pandemic there was a general belief in a reduction of hospital admissions due to non-infectious causes, namely cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of the pandemic in the admissions by ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), during the first pandemic wave.

Methods

Multicentric and retrospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting in two Portuguese hospital centers with STEMI in two sequential periods – P1 (1st March to 30th April) and P2 (1st May to 30th June). A comparison of patient's clinical and hospital outcomes data was performed between the year 2020 and 2017 to 2019 for both periods.

Results

A total of 347 consecutive STEMI patients were included in this study. The patient's baseline characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors were similar across the considered periods. During P1 of 2020, in comparison with previous years, a reduction in the number of STEMI patients was observed (26.0±4.2 vs 16.5±4.9 cases per month; p=0.033), contrary to what was observed during P2 (19.5±0.7 vs 20.5±0.7 cases per month; p=0.500). Percutaneous coronary interventions in the setting of failed thrombolysis were more frequent (1.9% vs 9.1%; p=0.033). A global trend in longer delays in time-key bundles of STEMI care was noted, namely pain to first medical contact, door to needle, door to wire crossing and symptoms to wire crossing times, however without statistical significance. Mortality rate was six-fold higher during P1 comparing to previous years (1.9% vs 12.1%; p=0.005), and also an increase in the number of mechanical complications (0.0% vs 3.0%; p=0.029) was observed.

Conclusions

During the first COVID-19 pandemic wave there were fewer patients presenting with STEMI at catheterization laboratory for coronary angioplasty. These patients presented more mechanical complications and higher mortality rates.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Long-term durability of transcatheter aortic valve replacement: outcomes from a contemporary cohort from a tertiary reference center at 5-years and beyond

Background and aim

Long-term data on the durability of transcatheter heart valves is scarce. This is of particular interest as indications expand to younger and lower surgical risk patients. We sought to assess the incidence of long-term structural valve dysfunction (SVD) and bioprosthetic valve failure (BVF) in a cohort of patients with TAVR who reached at least 5-year follow-up, as compared to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), performed within the same time-frame at the same institution.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients with at least 5-year available follow-up, who underwent TAVR between November 2008 to December 2015 in a tertiary single center, were included. From a group of 246 patients undergoing TAVR, 126 had available follow-up data (age at implantation: 83.0 [77.8–87.0] years; EuroScore II: 4.54 [2.60–6.29]%; follow-up: 5.94 [5.06–7.67] years). First generation Corevalve® and Sapien® prosthesis were implanted in 56% and 38% patients, respectively.

SVD and BVF were defined according to the new consensus statement from the EAPCI endorsed by the ESC and the EACTS. Mean transaortic pressure gradients decreased from 53.2±1.3 mmHg (pre-TAVR) to 10.4±0.4 mmHg (at discharge or up to one-year after TAVR, p&lt;0.001), and there was a small non-significant increase at the fifth-year and the last available follow-up (11.2±0.6 mmHg; 14.7±1.8 mmHg, respectively). Moderate and severe SVD were reported in 12 and 4 patients, respectively (8-year cumulative incidence function to SVD: 2.67%; 95% CI, 2.12–3.89). Of these 8 had BVF, 7 of them with hospitalization for acute heart failure. A total of 4 patients died and none required reintervention (redo TAVR or SAVR). BVF for non-SVD were observed in 4 patients (2 subclinic thrombosis successfully treated with anticoagulation and 2 paravalvular regurgitation due to endocarditis).

As comparator, from a cohort of 587 patients submitted to biological SAVR, 247 (age 75.0 [70.0–79.0] years; EuroScore II 1.43 [1.06–2.17]%) had available long-term follow-up (6.89 [6.08–8.19] years). Moderate and severe SVD were reported in 42 and 3 patients, respectively (8-year cumulative incidence function to SVD: 3.13%; 95% CI, 2.45–4.21). These events were clinically relevant (BVF) in 19 of them: 8 performed TAVR valve-in-valve procedures and 3 redo SAVR. At the fifth-year of follow-up the incidence of SVD was not statistically different between TAVR (8%) and SAVR (15%), with a p for comparison of 0.137.

Conclusions

In our population of patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis treated with first-generation percutaneous bioprostheses, TAVR was associated with a low incidence of BVF and SVD at the long-term follow-up. These outcomes seem indistinct from those occurring in patients submitted to conventional SAVR

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. KM curve reporting probability of SVD

Surgical versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients: A long-term propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest the use of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) as an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in lower risk populations, but real-world data are scarce.

METHODS

Single-center retrospective study of patients undergoing SAVR (between June 2009 and July 2016, n = 682 patients) or TAVI (between June 2009 and July 2017, n = 400 patients). Low surgical risk was defined as EuroSCORE II (ES II) < 4% for single noncoronary artery bypass graft procedure. TAVI patients were propensity score-matched in a 1:1 ratio with SAVR patients, paired by age, New York Heart Association class, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atrial fibrillation, creatinine clearance, and left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%.

RESULTS

A total of 158 patients (79 SAVR and 79 TAVI) were matched (mean age 79 ± 6 years, 79 men). TAVI patients had a higher incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation (0% vs. 19%, p < 0.001) and more than mild paravalvular leak (4% vs. 18%, p = 0.009), but comparable rates of stroke, major or life-threatening bleeding, emergent cardiac surgery, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and need for renal replacement therapy. Hospital length-of-stay and 30-day mortality were similar. At a median follow-up of 4.5 years (IQR 3.0-6.9), treatment strategy did not influence all-cause mortality (HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.77-1.83, log rank p = 0.43) nor rehospitalization (crude subdistribution HR 1.56, 95% CI 0.71-3.41, p = 0.26). ES II remained the only independent predictor of long-term all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.04-1.90, p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

In this low surgical risk severe aortic stenosis population, we observed similar rates of 30-day and long-term all-cause mortality, despite higher rates of permanent pacemaker implantation and more than mild paravalvular leak in TAVI patients. The results of this small study suggest that both procedures are safe and effective in the short-term, while the Heart Team remains essential to assess both options on the long-term.

Adoption and patterns of use of invasive physiological assessment of coronary artery disease in a large cohort of 40821 real-world procedures over a 12-year period

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Use of invasive physiological assessment in patients with coronary artery disease varies widely and is perceived to be low. We aimed to examine adoption rates as well as patterns and determinants of use in an unselected population undergoing invasive coronary angiography over a long time frame.

METHODS

We retrospectively determined the per-procedure prevalence of physiological assessment in 40821 coronary cases performed between 2007 and 2018 in two large-volume centers. Adoption was examined according to procedure type and patient- and operator-related variables. Its association with relevant scientific landmarks, such as the release of clinical trial results and practice guidelines, was also assessed.

RESULTS

Overall adoption was low, ranging from 0.6% in patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography due to underlying valve disease, to 6% in the setting of stable coronary artery disease (CAD); it was 3.1% in patients sustaining an acute coronary syndrome. Of scientific landmarks, FAME 1, the long-term results of FAME 2 and the 2014 European myocardial revascularization guidelines were associated with changes in practice. Publication of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) trials had no influence on adoption rates, except for a higher proportion of iFR use. In 42.9% of stable CAD patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention there was no objective non-invasive evidence of ischemia, nor was physiological assessment performed. Younger operator age (4.5% vs. 4.0% vs. 0.9% for ages <40, 40-55 and >55 years, respectively; p<0.001) and later time of procedure during the day (2.9% between 6 and 8 p.m. vs. 4.4% at other times) were independent correlates of use of invasive physiology.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms the low use of invasive physiology in routine practice. The availability of resting indices did not increase adoption. Strategies are warranted to promote guideline implementation and to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.

Predictors of pacemaker implantation after TAVI in a registry including self, balloon and mechanical expandable valves

The need for permanent pacemaker implantation (PPMI) is a burdensome complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The aim of our study was to evaluate different anatomical, clinical, electrocardiographic, and procedural variables associated with the development of conduction abnormalities after TAVI across the entire device spectrum. Single-center prospective cohort of consecutive patients who underwent TAVI since March 2017. Final cohort was studied to detect areas of calcium within aortic valve characterized by leaflet sector and region. Membranous septum (MS) length was assessed throughout a modified coronal view. Device selection and positioning were performed according to the operator criteria. Device selection and positioning were performed according to the operator criteria. From the 273 patients included, 57 underwent PPMI (20.8%). Univariate analysis determined right bundle branch block (RBBB), QRS duration, MS length and calcium within LVOT of non-coronary cuspid as independent predictors. After multivariable logistic regression, both RBBB (OR 6.138; 95% CI 1.23-30.73, P = 0.027) and MS length (OR 0.259; 95% CI 0.164-0.399, P < 0.005) emerged as statistically significant. As a model, they could predict PPMI in 88.7%, independently of which valve used. Youden index analysis yielded 7.69 mm as the optimal cut-off with a negative and positive predictive value of 94.7 and 71.9%, respectively. In our experience, both RBBB pattern and short membranous septum (< 8 mm) were strongly and independently associated with new permanent pacemaker implantation, regardless of the device type. Our findings suggest that this simple evolved measure of MS length may guide device selection and implantation technique and facilitate early discharge.

Patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography after a positive single-photon emission computed tomography or a positive stress cardiac magnetic resonance - What to expect at the cath lab

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

 Randomized controlled trials comparing stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) suggest similar diagnostic accuracy for detecting obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there are few data on whether or not this remains true in routine clinical practice.

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography (ICA) after a positive stress CMR or positive SPECT, and to compare their positive predictive value with published results from the CE-MARC trial.

Methods

In this retrospective tertiary-center analysis, we included 429 patients (mean age 67 ± 10 years, 28% women, 42% diabetic) undergoing ICA between January 2016 and December 2020, after a positive stress CMR or positive SPECT. Regarding stress test, an adenosine protocol was performed in all stress CMR and in 76.4% (n = 272) of stress SPECT. 

Stress test results, including ischemia location and severity, were classified as reported by their primary readers. Patients with missing data on key variables, and those in whom microvascular disease was considered likely in the original stress test report were excluded. Obstructive CAD was defined as any coronary artery stenosis ≥ 50% in a vessel compatible with the ischemic territory on stress testing.

Results

Out of the total 429 patients, 356 (83%) were referred after a positive SPECT, and 73 (17%) after a positive stress CMR. Patients did not differ regarding age, cardiovascular risk factors, previous revascularization or left ventricular dysfunction, but patients with SPECT were more frequently male (p = 0.046). Overall, 320 patients (75%) had obstructive CAD on ICA. The prevalence of obstructive CAD was similar in patients with positive SPECT vs. positive stress CMR (76.1% vs. 80.8%, respectively, p = 0.385). There were also no significant differences in the prevalence of left main or 3-vessel disease (9.0% vs. 9.6%, p = 0.871, and 19.7% vs. 23.3% p = 0.483, respectively). Revascularization was performed or planned in 59.3% of patients in the SPECT group, and 52.1% of those in the stress CMR group (p = 0.255). The positive predictive values of both techniques were similar to those reported in the CE-MARC trial (Figure), and would increase to 88.1% and 89.4% for SPECT and stress CMR, respectively, if patients reported as having only mild ischemia were excluded.

Conclusion

In this tertiary center analysis, stress CMR and SPECT showed similar positive predictive values, comparable to those reported in the CE-MARC trial.

Human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells as adjuvant therapy for myocardial infarction: a review of current evidence focusing on pre-clinical large animal models and early human trials

Although biologically appealing, the concept of tissue regeneration underlying first- and second-generation cell therapies has failed to translate into consistent results in clinical trials. Several types of cells from different origins have been tested in pre-clinical models and in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have gained attention because of their potential for immune modulation and ability to promote endogenous tissue repair, mainly through their secretome. MSCs can be easily obtained from several human tissues, the umbilical cord being the most abundant source, and further expanded in culture, making them attractive as an allogeneic "of-the-shelf" cell product, suitable for the AMI setting. The available evidence concerning umbilical cord-derived MSCs in AMI is reviewed, focusing on large animal pre-clinical studies and early human trials. Molecular and cellular mechanisms as well as current limitations and possible translational solutions are also discussed.

Gender Differences and Mortality Trends After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: A 10-Year Analysis From a Single Tertiary Center

AIM

To evaluate gender differences and mortality trends in a population undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and to analyze the correlates to all-cause mortality at follow-up.

METHODS

The study comprises a prospective cohort of 592 TAVI patients (53.4% female) treated between 2008 and 2018. Mortality differences between genders at different timepoints were assessed according to log rank test. Predictors of all-cause mortality at follow-up were identified using a univariate model and were then analyzed through multivariate Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

Compared with female patients, males were younger (81 ± 7.5 years vs 84.3 ± 5.3 years) and presented more comorbidities. Twelve female and 8 male patients (3.5%) died in the first 30 days after TAVI. Despite a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score in women, all-cause mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year were comparable. At long-term follow-up, female patients demonstrated better survival rates, despite a higher number of periprocedural complications. Correlates identified in men were the presence of diabetes and previous history of coronary artery bypass grafting, New York Heart Association class III/IV, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and non-transfemoral access. None of these variables remained significant in the multivariable analysis. In females, only peripheral artery disease was associated with mortality. Shock and need for renal replacement were predictors of mortality in both genders, as was heart failure readmission after discharge. STS score was also shown to correlate with long-term mortality in both genders.

CONCLUSION

Despite a higher STS score in women, 30-day mortality was not significantly different from men, while women present better clinical outcomes at long-term follow-up.

Non-pharmacological treatment of refractory angina: The coronary sinus reducer, the new kid on the block

Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interventional therapies. It is increasing in frequency, due to the success of current medical and interventional therapies in improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease. Long-term mortality is similar to that of patients with asymptomatic stable disease, but it affects patients' quality of life, and has a significant impact on health care resources. Several therapeutic targets have been investigated, most with disappointing results. Many of the techniques have been abandoned because of lack of efficacy, safety issues, or economic and logistic limitations to wider applicability. The primary focus of this review is the coronary sinus Reducer, supporting evidence for which, although scarce, is promising regarding safety and efficacy in improving anginal symptoms and quality of life. It is also accessible to virtually all interventional cardiology departments.

Non-pharmacological treatment of refractory angina: The coronary sinus reducer, the new kid on the block

Refractory angina is defined as persistent angina (≥3 months) despite optimal medical and interventional therapies. It is increasing in frequency, due to the success of current medical and interventional therapies in improving the prognosis of coronary artery disease. Long-term mortality is similar to that of patients with asymptomatic stable disease, but it affects patients' quality of life, and has a significant impact on health care resources. Several therapeutic targets have been investigated, most with disappointing results. Many of the techniques have been abandoned because of lack of efficacy, safety issues, or economic and logistic limitations to wider applicability. The primary focus of this review is the coronary sinus Reducer, supporting evidence for which, although scarce, is promising regarding safety and efficacy in improving anginal symptoms and quality of life. It is also accessible to virtually all interventional cardiology departments.

Usefulness of Routine Fractional Flow Reserve for Clinical Management of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Diabetes

Importance

Approximately one-third of patients considered for coronary revascularization have diabetes, which is a major determinant of clinical outcomes, often influencing the choice of the revascularization strategy. The usefulness of fractional flow reserve (FFR) to guide treatment in this population is understudied and has been questioned.

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness and rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) of integrating FFR in management decisions for patients with diabetes who undergo coronary angiography.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study used data from the PRIME-FFR study derived from the merger of the POST-IT study (Portuguese Study on the Evaluation of FFR-Guided Treatment of Coronary Disease [March 2012-November 2013]) and R3F study (French Study of FFR Integrated Multicenter Registries Implementation of FFR in Routine Practice [October 2008-June 2010]), 2 prospective multicenter registries that shared a common design. A population of all-comers for whom angiography disclosed ambiguous lesions was analyzed for rates, patterns, and outcomes associated with management reclassification, including revascularization deferral, in patients with vs without diabetes. Data analysis was performed from June to August 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Death from any cause, myocardial infarction, or unplanned revascularization (MACE) at 1 year.

Results

Among 1983 patients (1503 [77%] male; mean [SD] age, 65 [10] years), 701 had diabetes, and FFR was performed for 1.4 lesions per patient (58.2% of lesions in the left anterior descending artery; mean [SD] stenosis, 56% [11%]; mean [SD] FFR, 0.81 [0.01]). Reclassification by FFR was high and similar in patients with and without diabetes (41.2% vs 37.5%, P = .13), but reclassification from medical treatment to revascularization was more frequent in the former (142 of 342 [41.5%] vs 230 of 730 [31.5%], P = .001). There was no statistical difference between the 1-year rates of MACE in reclassified (9.7%) and nonreclassified patients (12.0%) (P = .37). Among patients with diabetes, FFR-based deferral identified patients with a lower risk of MACE at 12 months (25 of 296 [8.4%]) compared with those undergoing revascularization (47 of 257 [13.1%]) (P = .04), and the rate was of the same magnitude of the observed rate among deferred patients without diabetes (7.9%, P = .87). Status of insulin treatment had no association with outcomes. Patients (6.6% of the population) in whom FFR was disregarded had the highest MACE rates regardless of diabetes status.

Conclusions and Relevance

Routine integration of FFR for the management of coronary artery disease in patients with diabetes may be associated with a high rate of treatment reclassification. Management strategies guided by FFR, including revascularization deferral, may be useful for patients with diabetes.

Vascular closure devices in TAVI: MANTA versus ProGlide in a propensity-matched population

Background

Vascular complications increase morbidity and mortality in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). A collagen plug-based closure device - MANTA® was recently introduced as an alternative to the suture-mediated ProGlide® vascular closure device (VCD). Data regarding the efficacy and safety comparing both VCD is scarce. The present study sought to compare the effectiveness of both devices.

Methods

Single center retrospective analysis on prospectively collected data of 300 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI using MANTA® or ProGlide® since 2018. A 1:1 propensity-score matched population derived by a multivariate logistic regression model based on age, sex, body mass index, pre-procedural haemoglobin, EuroSCORE II, main access calcification and the sheath-to-artery ratio. The primary endpoint was the composite of major or life-threatening bleeding (VARC-2 definition), femoral artery stenosis/dissection, pseudoaneurysm and need for endovascular/surgical bailout intervention.

Results

The propensity score matching resulted in 129 matched pairs. The median age was 84 years old [IQR 80–87], 42% males with a median EuroSCOREII of 4.29% [IQR 3.05–6.24].

There were no differences in the primary endpoint between MANTA ® and ProGlide® cohorts (3.9% vs 7.8%, p=0.287, respectively). The rates of the primary endpoint with the MANTA® device decreased with center experience, with relatively steep learning curve effect concerning device success.

Major or life-threatening bleeding (3.1% vs 5.4%, p=0.540) and pseudoaneurysm (0.8% vs 2.3%, p=0.622) occurred less frequently in MANTA® cohort, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Endovascular (stent or balloon) or surgical rescue intervention (9.3% vs 5.4%, p=0.341) and femoral artery stenosis/dissection (6.2% vs 3.1%, p=0.376), were also similar rates. In ProGlide® cohort, to achieve VCD success (without primary endpoint events), 15.5% needed more than 2 devices, significantly different from MANTA ® (p&lt;0,001).

Conclusions

In patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI, the MANTA® VCD showed a similar efficacy and safety compared to the ProGlide® device and it reduced significantly the need of additional VCDs for completion of hemostasis. These results were obtained despite a clear learning curve associated with MANTA.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Patterns of revascularization in stable ischemic heart disease in the pre-ISCHEMIA era

Introduction

New evidence on the role of myocardial revascularization in stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD), recently presented, showed that revascularization guided by the presence of moderate-to severe ischemia relieves angina more effectively than optimal medical therapy (OMT), without a significant benefit in hard clinical endpoints.

Aim

To assess the representativeness of the ISCHEMIA trial in a real-world population and compare management strategies between patients who fulfill the eligibility criteria of the trial (Group 1, G1) and those who do not (Group 2, G2).

Methods and population

Single centre retrospective analysis including all consecutive patients referred to coronary angiography (CA) for SIHD from January 2018 to December 2019. Patients were stratified in two groups (G1 and G2) according to the ISCHEMIA trial inclusion and exclusion criteria. G1 was compared with G2 and with a subset of G2 with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), defined as ≥70% luminal stenosis in at least one coronary artery or &gt;50% for the left main.

Results

A total of 1020 patients underwent CA, of whom only 124 (12.2%) would have been eligible for the ISCHEMIA trial (G1). Overall, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. G1 patients had more extensive and severe disease, presenting more frequently with proximal left anterior descending (LAD) involvement (26.6% vs 10.4%; p&lt;0.001), two vessel disease without proximal LAD stenosis (23.4% vs 10.3%; p&lt;0.001) and three vessel disease (18.5% vs 5.9%; p&lt;0.001). These patients had higher rates of revascularization, both CABG (25.8% vs 10.8%, p&lt;0.001) and PCI (56.5% vs 39.5%, p&lt;0.001). However, when comparing G1 with the subset of G2 patients with obstructive CAD, G1 patients had higher rates of CABG (26.8% vs 17.8%, p=0.034) but there were no differences on the rates of PCI (58.0% vs 56.9%, p=0.916).

Conclusions

Patients included in the ISCHEMIA trial are underrepresented in a real-world population of SIHD patients referred to coronary angiography. PCI rates were similar among patients with at least one significant coronary artery stenosis, regardless of previous evidence or severity of ischemia. Our findings underline the need for further refinement in criteria for revascularization in SIHD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Risk stratification in unprotected left main coronary disease: do we have the tools?

Introduction

The evolution of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) techniques made the choice of the optimal revascularization strategy of unprotected left main coronary disease (ULMD) challenging. Scoring systems are useful tools for the decision-making process and for risk stratification.

Purpose

To evaluate 1) the performance of the SYNTAX score I (SSI) and II (SSII) and Euroscore II (EII) in risk stratification and 2) the outcome predictors of patients (pts) with ULMD, according to the treatment strategy chosen (PCI or CABG).

Methods

Retrospective single centre cohort study of 440 consecutive pts (age 68±11 years; 76.6% male) with significant ULMD (defined as left main coronary artery stenosis &gt;50%, with no patent arterial or venous bypass graft to left anterior descending artery), who were submitted to PCI (n=135) or CABG (n=307), between January 2006 and December 2018. Median follow-up (FU) was 4.0±1.8 years.

The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Results

During the FU period, there were 112 (25.5%) CV deaths, 26 (5,9%) non-fatal MI and 53 (12.0%) TLR.

Multivariate analysis of pts submitted to PCI showed that SSII and anatomical complete revascularization were independent predictors of the primary outcome (HR 1.045, CI 1.015–1.075, p=0.003 and HR 3,014, CI 1.655–5.489, p&lt;0.0001, respectively). The 63 pts submitted to PCI, who had a SSII favoring CABG, had slightly more adverse events (42.9% vs 41.7%, p=0.889).

In the CABG cohort, only SSII was an independent predictor of the outcome by multivariate analysis (HR 1.061, CI 1.035–1.086, p&lt;0.0001).

The ROC curve analysis for all cohort presented no discriminative capacity for SSI (AUC 0.538, CI 0.482–0.593, p=0.186) and a weak discrimination for SSII (AUC 0.659, CI 0.605–0.713, p&lt;0.0001) and EII (AUC 0.653, CI 0.599–0.707, p&lt;0.0001; Figure 1). The difference between SSII and EII was not statistically significant (DeLong test p=0.828). Similar results were found when analysing the CAGB group, however, in PCI cohort, SII and EII showed an acceptable discriminative capacity (AUC 0.722, CI 0.636–0.809, p&lt;0.0001 and AUC 0.700, CI 0.610–0.791, p&lt;0.0001, respectively).

Conclusion

In a real-world ULMD population, the most common risk scores, mainly those integrating anatomical and clinical features, presented a very modest role in the risk stratification, both in chronic and acute coronary syndromes. However, in pts with ULMD submitted to PCI, those risk scores had a more significant role in the risk stratification of these pts.

Figure 1. SSI, SSII, EII ROC curves for all cohort

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Ten-year survival of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty with first-generation sirolimus-eluting stents and bare-metal stents

INTRODUCTION

Compared to bare-metal stents (BMS), drug-eluting stents reduce stent restenosis and improve subsequent revascularization rates. The impact on patients' survival has been the subject of debate.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the long-term (10-year) survival of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with first-generation sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) in comparison with BMS.

METHODS

In a single-center registry, 600 consecutive patients who underwent successful PCI with SES between April 2002 and February 2003 were compared to 594 patients who underwent PCI with BMS between January 2002 and April 2002, just before the introduction of SES. Clinical and procedural data were collected at the time of intervention and 10-year survival status was assessed via the national life status database.

RESULTS

All baseline characteristics were similar between groups except for smaller stent diameter (2.84±0.38 vs. 3.19±0.49 mm; p<0.001), greater stent length (18.50±8.2 vs. 15.96±6.10 mm; p<0.001) and higher number of stents per patient (1.95 vs. 1.46, p<0.001) in the SES group. Overall five- and 10-year all-cause mortality was 9.6% (n=110) and 22.7% (n=272), respectively. The adjusted HR for 10-year mortality in patients undergoing PCI with SES was 0.74 (95% CI 0.58-0.94; p=0.013), corresponding to a relative risk reduction of 19.8%. Other than PCI with BMS, older age, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower ejection fraction were independent predictors of 10-year mortality.

CONCLUSION

To date, this is the longest follow-up study ever showing a potential survival benefit of first-generation sirolimus-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents, supporting prior observations on their sustained efficacy and safety relative to contemporary BMS.

Low Rate of Invasive Coronary Angiography Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Real-World Prospective Cohort Findings

AIM

To evaluate the real need for coronary access after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Prospective observational single-center registry, including 563 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI between April 2008 and November 2018, with both self- and balloon-expandable valves in a tertiary European center. Mean age was 82.4 ± 6.9 years, 53.3% were female, 16% had previous history of coronary artery bypass grafting, 33% of previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and 16.6% of myocardial infarction (MI). Twenty-four percent of the patients were revascularized within one year before TAVI in preparation for the procedure. Median Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 4.82 (IQ 2.84). In a median follow-up of 24 months (IQ 21.5), 18 patients (3.2%) were identified as potentially in need for invasive coronary angiography: 9 (1.6%) in the setting of stable coronary artery disease and 9 (1.6%) for an acute coronary syndrome. A total of 11 PCIs were performed in 9 patients, with a complete success rate of 63.6%. Procedures that were unsuccessful or partially unsuccessful were due to the inability to cross the stent or the drug-eluting balloon through the valve struts or misplacement within the coronary artery due to lack of catheter support.

CONCLUSION

In this population, a strategy of previous guideline-directed revascularization before TAVI was associated with a low rate of MI and repeated need of coronary access, with a scattered distribution over time. Assuring future access to coronary arteries in patients at increased risk may depend on the revascularization strategy rather than device selection.

Haemodynamic effects and potential clinical implications of inhaled nitric oxide during right heart catheterization in heart transplant candidates

AIMS

Right heart catheterization (RHC) is indicated in all candidates for heart transplantation (HT). An acute vasodilator challenge is recommended for those with pulmonary hypertension (PH) to assess its reversibility. The effects of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) on pulmonary and systemic haemodynamics have been reported only in small series. Our purpose was to describe the response to iNO in a larger population and its potential clinical implications.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From 210 RHC procedures performed between 2010 and 2019, vasodilator challenge with iNO was used in 108 patients, of which 66 had advanced heart failure undergoing assessment for HT (55±11 years old; 74.2% male gender; 43.9% ischaemic cardiomyopathy; left ventricular ejection fraction 28.4 ± 11,4%; and peak VO2 12.1 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min). iNO was administered through a tight-fitting facial mask regardless of baseline pulmonary pressures. Clinical endpoints (all-cause mortality and acute right heart failure) were assessed according to baseline haemodynamic findings over the available follow-up period. There were no side effects from iNO administration. Typical response consisted of a reduction in pulmonary vascular resistance, consequent to an increase in left ventricular filling pressures, no significant change in mean pulmonary artery pressure (resulting in a lower mean transpulmonary gradient) and a mild increase in cardiac ouput. Pulmonary arterial compliance increased significantly, whereas systemic vascular resistance was only mildly affected. In five cases (7.6%), pulmonary vascular resistance increased paradoxically. All-cause mortality and post-HT right heart failure events were overall low and similar in patients without PH or reversible PH.

CONCLUSIONS

Vasodilator challenge with iNO is safe in advanced heart failure patients undergoing RHC prior to HT listing. It produces a reasonably predictable haemodynamic response, which occurs predominantly at the pulmonary circulation level. Clinical implications of iNO-induced reversibility may be relevant, but further systematic validation is warranted in larger cohorts.

Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography angiography for the exclusion of coronary artery disease in candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Coronary CT angiography (CTA) is currently considered a reliable method to exclude obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) before valvular heart surgery in patients with low pretest probability. However, its role in excluding obstructive CAD before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is less well established. Single-center retrospective study where patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis underwent both CTA and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as part of TAVI planning. CTA exams were conducted on a 64-slice dual source scanner, with a median interval of 45 days to ICA (IQR 25–75 [13–82]). In both tests, obstructive CAD was defined as a ≥50% stenosis in an epicardial vessel ≥2 mm diameter. Per-patient, per-vessel and per-proximal segment analyses were conducted, excluding and including non-evaluable segments. The study included 200 patients (120 women, mean age 83 ± 6 years). The prevalence of obstructive CAD on ICA was 35.5% (n = 71). On a per-patient analysis (assuming non-evaluable segments as stenotic), CTA showed sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 95–100%), specificity of 42% (95% CI, 33–51%), and positive and negative predictive values of 48% (95% CI, 44–51%) and 100% (95% CI, 92–100%), respectively. CTA was able to exclude obstructive CAD in 54 patients (27%), in whom ICA could have been safely withheld. Despite the high rate of inconclusive tests, pre-procedural CTA is able to safely exclude obstructive CAD in a significant proportion of patients undergoing TAVI, possibly avoiding the need for ICA in roughly one quarter of the cases.

P3382Vascular calcium Index: an imaging tool to predict vascular complications and major bleeding in TF-TAVI

Introduction

Vascular calcification has been associated with worse outcomes in transfemoral TAVI (TF-TAVI). However, there is currently no simple method to assess it and identify different patterns of calcification in an objective and quantitative manner. The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative score of aortic (Ao) and ileofemural (IF) calcification and to assess its ability to predict life-threatening bleeding (LTB) and major vascular complications during TF-TAVI.

Methods

Case-control single center retrospective study of patients undergoing TF-TAVI between Nov2015 and Aug2018 including 183 consecutive patients (99 women, mean age 83±3 years, mean Euroscore II - ESII - 6.0±4.1). The Vascular Calcium Score was calculated for the entire Ao and IF vessels using a modified Agatston score derived from contrast-enhanced CT images, with calcium threshold locally adjusted for luminal attenuation (mean attenuation + 5x SD). A luminal attenuation threshold >600UH impaired vascular calcium evaluation and patients were excluded. LTB and major vascular complications were adjudicated according to the VARC-2 classification and identified by chart review by and independent team.

Results

Thirty patients (16%) suffered major bleeding and 13 (7%) experienced LTB. Major vascular injury occurred in 11 patients (6%). The median total vascular calcium score (TCS) was 11752 AU (IQR: 6388–19844) and median IF score (IFS) was 2210AU (IQR: 865–4170). TCS indexed for body surface area (TCSi) was predictor of LTB (AUC: 0.78±0.07, p<0.05) and of major vascular complications (AUC: 0.85±0.05, p<0.05). After multivariate analysis, iTCS and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) remained as predictors of LTB with an HR of 1.11 for each increase in 1000UA/m2 of TCSi (95% CI: 1.03–1.18) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–0.985) respectively, independently of the ESII. iTCS and GFR were also independently associated with major vascular complications (p<0.05). Patients with an iTCS above 9750AU/m2 have an odds ratio of 7.7 (95% CI: 2.0 - 29.2) for LTB. This cut-off has a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 70% for LTB. Similarly, patients with an iTCS above 9750AU/m2 have an odds ratio of 10.3 (95% CI: 22 - 49.3) for major vascular injury.

Conclusions

A quantitative score for vascular calcification in contrast-enhanced CT images was developed. iTCS was independently associated with life-threatening bleeding and major vascular complications.

P4575UA and NSTEMI in the era of high-sensitivity Troponin: impact on patient risk profile and management

Aim

High-sensitivity troponin assays (HST) entered the clinical arena to facilitate exclusion of ACS in the emergency department (ER) in patients presenting with chest pain. Due to its higher sensitivity there is the potential for an overestimation of the diagnosis of NSTEMI, and possibly ACS overall. We assessed the impact of HST in the classification of ACS (NSTEMI vs UA) and its ability to predict obstructive coronary disease (CAD), in a population of pts referred to coronary angiography (ICA).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 1844 pts with suspected NSTEMI or UA referred for ICA from a single ER between Feb 2013 and Nov 2018. Standard Troponin-I was used until Feb 2016 and HST thereafter. The characteristics of UA and NSTEMI pts before and after the introduction of HST were compared. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to access the association of different troponin assays with CAD (>50% for LM and >70% for the remaining). Sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV for angiographic CAD were also determined.

Results

The relative proportion of patients with UA and NSTEMI was similar between study periods: 31% vs 29% and 69% vs 71%, respectively (p=0.3). Clinical and angiographic characteristics did not differ in UA pts before and after the use of HST. NSTEMI patients in the HST era were less frequently women (39% vs 32%, p=0.026), had higher creatinine (0.93 IQR 0.75–1.3 vs 1.0 IQR 0.82–1.38), higher number of lesions (2 IQR 1–4 vs 3 IQR 1–4) and a lower rate of normal coronary arteries (10.5% vs 3.9%, p<0.001). The prevalence of significant CAD in this population, before and after HST, was 65% and 73%, respectively (p=0.001). However, when clinically relevant characteristics and judgement were accounted for, both standard troponin (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99–1.01) and HST (1.0, 95% CI 1.0–1.0) were poor predictors of significant CAD. Sensitivity was 69% vs 72%, specificity 30% vs 30%, PPV 65% vs 73% and NNP 34% vs 28%, respectively. Finally, rates of percutaneous intervention did not differ between the two periods (30% vs 33.5%, p=0.157), nor between ACS types within each period.

CAD/PCI in ACS within each period

Conclusion

The introduction of HST did not result in an increase of the diagnosis of NSTEM vs UA, suggesting that clinical judgment remains an important determinant of the diagnosis of ACS. Also there was no evidence of an increase in PCI rates, despite worse CAD severity in NSTEMI patients.

P3633Should we continue to routinely revascularize patients during valve surgery in optimal medical therapy era?

Background

Optimal management of stable obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients (pts) undergoing heart valve surgery remains controversial. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effective prognostic role of CABG in pts undergoing valve surgery who had concomitant CAD.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective multicenter survival analysis using multivariable Cox models and Kaplan-Meier curves of consecutive pts undergoing valve surgery with or without concomitant CABG between January 2015 and February 2017.

Results

From 1196 consecutive pts undergoing valvular surgery in 3 portuguese centers, 257 (21.5%) were found to have obstructive CAD (55.6% male, mean age 74±8 y.o., mean follow-up time 16±8 months, aortic valve disease 78.8%). No coronary revascularization (R) was attempted in 177 pts, complete R was achieved in 40 and R was anatomically incomplete in the remaining 40 pts. Age (75 vs 77.3 y.o.; p=0.202), multivessel disease (46.3% vs 53.8%, p=0.270), aortic valve disease (91.0% vs 92.5%, p=0.683), left ventricular ejection fraction <40% (11.8% vs 19.4%, p=0.272) were comparable between nonrevascularized and revascularized pts; SYNTAX score was low and also similar in both groups (7±12 vs 7±5, p=0.856). Left main disease (8.5% vs 17.5%, p=0.034) and EUROSCORE IIrisk score (2.3±2 vs 3.2±2, p=0.011) was higher for those with any revascularization. Non-revascularized pts had significantly lower all-cause mortality at follow up than those with any R (10.2% vs 21.2%, p=0.016). However, both in-hospital (4% vs 7.5%, p=0.230) and cardiovascular mortality (6.9% vs 7.1%, p=1.00) were similar. In a multivariate analysis, independent predictors for all-cause mortality were: any surgical R (HR 4.52, CI95% 2.09–9.78), baseline atrial fibrillation (HR 2.51, CI95% 1.07–5.90), left main disease (HR 3.153, CI95% 1.26–7.90) and peripheral artery disease (HR 2.95, CI95% 1.036–8.421). All-cause mortality for pts with obstructive CAD was higher than in pts with no CAD (13.6% vs 6.2, p<0.001). Interestingly, however, after multivariable adjustment, complete R was not found to be protective as compared to no R (HR 0.79, IC 0.31–2.06, p=0.633)

Kaplan-Meier Plots

Conclusion

Significant CAD is associated with worse outcomes in pts undergoing valve surgery. In this study, standard angiographically-guided R was not associated with improved results. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further assess risk stratification and the role of coronary R of stable CAD in this setting.

P3628Contemporary coronary artery disease prevalence in a valvular heart disease population undergoing surgery

Background

Patients undergoing heart valve surgery are routinely evaluated for the presence of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), with the standard practice of combining valve intervention with a revascularization procedure, notably Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG). Older studies suggest rates as high as 50% prevalence of CAD in this population. However, CAD prevalence, its treatment and prognostic implication has been questioned recently.

Objectives

The goal of this study is to evaluate the baseline characteristics, prevalence of CAD and treatment strategies in a contemporary population with valvular heart disease (VHD) referred for valve surgery.

Methods

In a national multicentre registry, consecutive patients, from Jan 2015 to Dec 2016, with a formal indication for heart valve surgery referred for a pre-op routine coronary angiogram were systematically analysed. Baseline characteristics, valve pathology and CAD prevalence and patterns were determined. Obstructive CAD was defined as luminal angiographic stenosis ≥70% (≥50% for left main artery). The prognostic impact of the different valve disease and CAD treatment strategies were assessed.

Results

1175 patients (mean age 72.5±10.1; male 49.2%) fulfilled the clinical or echocardiographic indication for valve surgery by European guidelines. Valvular disease prevalence was: aortic stenosis (66.7%), aortic regurgitation (6.6%), mitral stenosis (6%), mitral regurgitation (19.2%), tricuspid regurgitation (7.5%). Mean follow-up time was 29.06±18.46 months. Prevalence of comorbidities was: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) 26%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 5.7% and chronic kidney disease (CKD) 23.4%. Mean Euroscore II was 2.6%. Obstructive CAD was present in 27.3% patients. Mean Syntax score was 10.2 (<22 in 88%, 23–32 in 10.2% and >33 in 1.8%). Left main artery and 3-vessel disease were found in 13.1% and 11.8% of patients with CAD, respectively. Valvular surgery was ultimately performed in 80.3%. In patients with CAD, 57.3% were revascularized. All-cause mortality rate during follow-up was 12.9%, with 7.8% from cardiovascular causes. In univariate analysis DM, COPD, CKD, NYHA class, obstructive CAD and no surgery (p<0.05) were associate with mortality on follow up. In multivariate analysis obstructive CAD (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.53–3.65, p<0.01) and no surgery (OR 6.05, 95% CI 3.95–9.30, p<0.01) persisted as independent all-cause mortality predictors.

Conclusion

In a contemporary cohort of patients with VHD and surgical indication, CAD prevalence is lower (27.3%) than described in literature. Mortality rates were higher in patients with obstructive CAD, worse NYHA functional class and in those who never underwent surgery.

Nanotheranostics Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment

Cancer is considered the most aggressive malignancy to humans, and definitely the major cause of death worldwide. Despite the different and heterogenous presentation of the disease, there are pivotal cell elements involved in proliferation, differentiation, and immortalization, and ultimately the capability to evade treatment strategies. This is of utmost relevance when we are just beginning to grasp the complexity of the tumor environment and the molecular "evolution" within. The tumor micro-environment (TME) is thought to provide for differentiation niches for clonal development that results in tremendous cancer heterogeneity. To date, conventional cancer therapeutic strategies against cancer are failing to tackle the intricate interplay of actors within the TME. Nanomedicine has been proposing innovative strategies to tackle this TME and the cancer cells that simultaneously provide for biodistribution and/or assessment of action. These nanotheranostics systems are usually multi-functional nanosystems capable to carry and deliver active cargo to the site of interest and provide diagnostics capability, enabling early detection, and destruction of cancer cells in a more selective way. Some of the most promising multifunctional nanosystems are based on gold nanoparticles, whose physic-chemical properties have prompt for the development of multifunctional, responsive nanomedicines suitable for combinatory therapy and theranostics. Herein, we shall focus on the recent developments relying on the properties of gold nanoparticles as the basis for nanotheranostics systems against the heterogeneity within the TME.

Metabolic Syndrome, Thyroid Function and Autoimmunity - The PORMETS Study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity in the Portuguese population has not yet been estimated. However, the national prevalence of the metabolic syndrome remains high. The association of thyroid pathology with cardiovascular risk has been addressed but is still unclear. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity and to assess the associations of thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid hormones and antibodies with metabolic syndrome, its components, and other possible determinants in a national sample.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present study included a subsample of 486 randomly selected participants from a nationwide cross-sectional study sample of 4095 adults. A structured questionnaire was administered on past medical history and socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were collected, and the serum lipid profile, glucose, insulin, hs- CRP, TSH, FT4, FT3 and thyroid antibodies were measured.

RESULTS

In our sample, the prevalence of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and undiagnosed dysfunction was 4.9%, 2.5% and 72.2%, respectively. Overall, the prevalence of positivity for the thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies was 11.9% and 15.0%, respectively. A positive association was found between free triiodothyronine and metabolic syndrome (OR: 2.019; 95% CI: 1.196, 3.410). Additionally, thyroid peroxidase antibodies had a negative association with metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.465; 95% CI: 0.236, 0.917) and its triglyceride component (OR: 0.321; 95% CI: 0.124, 0.836).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity was high. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies were negatively associated with metabolic syndrome and its triglyceride component, whereas the free triiodothyronine level was positively associated with metabolic syndrome.

Visceral Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome Are Associated with Well-Differentiated Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

The determinants for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NET) recent burden are matters of debate. Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are well established risks for several cancers even though no link with GEP-NETs was yet established. Our aim in this study was to investigate whether well-differentiated GEP-NETs were associated with obesity and MetS. Patients with well-differentiated GEP-NETs (n = 96) were cross-matched for age, gender, and district of residence with a control group (n = 96) derived from the general population in a case-control study. Patients presented gastro-intestinal (75.0%) or pancreatic (22.9%) tumors, grade G1 (66.7%) or G2 (27.1%) with localized disease (31.3%), regional metastasis (16.7%) or distant metastasis (43.8%) at diagnosis, and 45.8% had clinical hormonal syndromes. MetS was defined according to Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria. Well-differentiated GEP-NETs were associated with MetS criteria as well as the individual components' waist circumference, fasting triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.003, p = 0.002, p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively). The likelihood of the association was higher when the number of individual MetS components was greater than four. MetS and some individual MetS components including visceral obesity, dyslipidemia, and increased fasting glucose are associated with well-differentiated GEP-NET. This data provides a novel insight in unraveling the mechanisms leading to GEP-NET disease.

Comparison of multiparametric risk scores for predicting early mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

INTRODUCTION

Surgical risk scores are widely used to identify patients at high surgical risk who may benefit from transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). A multiparametric TAVI mortality risk score based on a French registry (FRANCE-2) has recently been developed. The aim of our study was to compare the 30-day mortality prediction performance of the FRANCE-2, EuroSCORE II and STS scores.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 240 patients from a single-center prospective registry who underwent TAVI between January 2008 and December 2015. All scores were assessed for calibration and discrimination using calibration-in-the-large and ROC curve analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

The observed mortality was 5.8% (n=14). The median EuroSCORE II, STS and FRANCE-2 scores were 5.0 (IQR 3.2-8.3), 5.1 (IQR 3.6-7.1) and 2.0 (IQR 1.0-3.0), respectively. Discriminative power was greater for EuroSCORE II (C-statistic 0.67) and STS (C-statistic 0.67) than for FRANCE-2 (C-statistic 0.53), but this was not statistically significant (p=0.26). All scores showed adequate calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

All scores showed modest performance in early mortality prediction after TAVI. Despite being derived from a TAVI population, FRANCE-2 was no better than surgical risk scores in our population.

Impact of Routine Fractional Flow Reserve on Management Decision and 1-Year Clinical Outcome of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes: PRIME-FFR (Insights From the POST-IT [Portuguese Study on the Evaluation of FFR-Guided Treatment of Coronary Disease] and R3F [French FFR Registry] Integrated Multicenter Registries - Implementation of FFR [Fractional Flow Reserve] in Routine Practice)

BACKGROUND

Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is not firmly established as a guide to treatment in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Primary goals were to evaluate the impact of integrating FFR on management decisions and on clinical outcome of patients with ACS undergoing coronary angiography, as compared with patients with stable coronary artery disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

R3F (French FFR Registry) and POST-IT (Portuguese Study on the Evaluation of FFR-Guided Treatment of Coronary Disease), sharing a common design, were pooled as PRIME-FFR (Insights From the POST-IT and R3F Integrated Multicenter Registries - Implementation of FFR in Routine Practice). Investigators prospectively defined management strategy based on angiography before performing FFR. Final decision after FFR and 1-year clinical outcome were recorded. From 1983 patients, in whom FFR was prospectively used to guide treatment, 533 sustained ACS (excluding acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction). In ACS, FFR was performed in 1.4 lesions per patient, mostly in left anterior descending (58%), with a mean percent stenosis of 58±12% and a mean FFR of 0.82±0.09. In patients with ACS, reclassification by FFR was high and similar to those with non-ACS (38% versus 39%; P=NS). The pattern of reclassification was different, however, with less patients with ACS reclassified from revascularization to medical treatment compared with those with non-ACS (P=0.01). In ACS, 1-year outcome of patients reclassified based on FFR (FFR against angiography) was as good as that of nonreclassified patients (FFR concordant with angiography), with no difference in major cardiovascular event (8.0% versus 11.6%; P=0.20) or symptoms (92.3% versus 94.8% angina free; P=0.25). Moreover, FFR-based deferral to medical treatment was as safe in patients with ACS as in patients with non-ACS (major cardiovascular event, 8.0% versus 8.5%; P=0.83; revascularization, 3.8% versus 5.9%; P=0.24; and freedom from angina, 93.6% versus 90.2%; P=0.35). These findings were confirmed in ACS explored at the culprit lesion. In patients (6%) in whom the information derived from FFR was disregarded, a dire outcome was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine integration of FFR into the decision-making process of ACS patients with obstructive coronary artery disease is associated with a high reclassification rate of treatment (38%). A management strategy guided by FFR, divergent from that suggested by angiography, including revascularization deferral, is safe in ACS.

Adiposity cut-off points for cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk in the Portuguese population: The PORMETS study

Objectives

The contribution of adiposity to cardiovascular and diabetes risk justifies the inclusion of an adiposity measure, usually waist circumference, in the definition of metabolic syndrome. However, waist circumference thresholds differ across populations. Our aim was to assess which adiposity measure performs the best in identifying the metabolic syndrome in a sample of Portuguese participants and to estimate cut-off values for these measures.

Methods

Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study (PORMETS study) conducted in Portugal between 2007 and 2009. A representative sample of non-institutionalized adults, comprising 3,956 participants, aged 18 years and older, was evaluated. A structured questionnaire was administered, collecting information on personal medical history, socio-demographics and behavioral characteristics. Anthropometrics, blood pressure and venous blood samples were also obtained. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology recommended criteria. Elevated cardiometabolic risk was considered when two or more of the four criteria of metabolic syndrome were present, excluding the waist circumference component. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to estimate cut-off points.

Results

This study found that waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference and body adiposity index performed better than other adiposity measures, such as body mass index. The estimated cut-off points for waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference and body adiposity index in women and men were 0.564 / 89 cm / 27.4 and 0.571 / 93.5 cm / 25.5, respectively.

Conclusion

As waist circumference is currently used as the adiposity measure in the definition of metabolic syndrome and as no relevant differences were observed between this measure and waist-to-height ratio, it is likely that no modification to the metabolic syndrome definition needs to be proposed. Moreover, this study also confirmed the applicability of European cut-off points in the Portuguese population.