30-day Major Adverse Cardiac Events Rates Research Articles

Predictors of Adverse Outcome in High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary Interventions Patients.

Identifying high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients is challenging. We aimed to evaluate which high-risk patients are prone to adverse events. We performed a retrospective study including consecutive high-risk PCIs from 2005 to 2018 in a large tertiary medical centre. Patients with unprotected left main (LM) disease, last patent coronary vessel, or 3-vessel coronary artery disease with left ventricular ejection fraction < 35% were included. A predictive 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) score consisting of any myocardial infarction, all-cause death, or target-vessel revascularisation was constructed. From 2005 to 2018, a total of 1890 patients who underwent PCI met the predefined high-risk PCI criteria. Mortality rate was 8.8% at 30 days and 20.7% at 1 year, and 30-day MACE rate was 14.2% and 33.5% at 1 year. Predictors of short-term MACE were New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) 4 (hazard ratio [HR] 6.65; P<0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mm Hg (HR 4.93; P<0.001), creatinine > 1.3 mg/dL (HR 3.57; P< 0.001), hemoglobin< 11.0 g/dL (HR 3.07; P < 0.001), pulmonary artery systolic pressure> 50 mm Hg (HR 2.06; P<0.001), atrial fibrillation (HR 1.74; P<0.001), and LM disease (HR 2.04; P<0.001) or last patent vessel (HR 1.70; P= 0.002). A score constructed from these parameters reached a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 81% with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92 for MACE and 0.94 with 89% sensitivity and 87% specificity for all-cause mortality. Specific features such as LM lesion or last patent conduit, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, anemia, and renal failure, along with low SBP and NYHA 4, aid risk stratification and consideration of further treatment measures.

Treatment of severely calcified coronary artery disease by intravascular lithotripsy primary outcomes and 180-day follow-up from the Chinese SOLSTICE Trial.

To assess the safety and effectiveness of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) treatment for de novo coronary lesion involving severely calcified vessels in a Chinese population. The Clinical Trial of the ShOckwave Coronary IVL System Used to Treat CalcIfied Coronary ArtEries (SOLSTICE) was a prospective, single-arm, multicentre trial. According to the inclusion criteria, patients with severely calcified lesions were enrolled in the study. IVL was used to perform calcium modification prior to stent implantation. The primary safety endpoint was freedom from major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) at 30 days. The primary effectiveness endpoint was procedural success, defined as successful stent delivery with residual stenosis < 50% by core lab assessment without in-hospital MACEs. The morphological changes of calcium modification were assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after IVL treatment. Patients (n = 20) were enrolled at three sites in China. Severe calcification by core lab assessment was present in all lesions, with a mean calcium angle and thickness of 300 ± 51° and 0.99 ± 0.12 mm (by OCT), respectively. The 30-day MACE rate was 5%. Both primary safety and effectiveness endpoints were achieved in 95% of patients. The final in-stent diameter stenosis was 13.1% ± 5.7% with no patient had a residual stenosis < 50% after stenting. No serious angiographic complications (severe dissection grade D or worse, perforation, abrupt closure, slow flow/no-reflow) observed at any time during the procedure. OCT imaging demonstrated visible multiplane calcium fracture in 80% of lesions with a mean stent expansion of 95.62% ± 13.33% at the site of maximum calcification and minimum stent area (MSA) of 5.34 ± 1.64 mm2. The initial coronary IVL experience for Chinese operators resulted in high procedural success and low angiographic complications consistent with prior IVL studies, reflecting the relative ease of use of IVL technology.

Impact of a rapid high-sensitivity troponin pathway on patient flow in an urban emergency department.

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the introduction of a 1‐hour high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin‐T (hs‐TnT) pathway for patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) improves ED patient flow without changing the rate of “missed” major adverse cardiac events (MACE), compared to use of conventional cardiac troponin with an associated 3‐hour pathway.MethodsThis was a prospective, uncontrolled observational study conducted before and after implementation of a 1‐hour hs‐TnT pathway at a high‐volume urban ED. Patients undergoing evaluation for ACS in the ED were enrolled during their initial visit and clinical outcomes were assessed at 30 and 90 days. Throughput markers were extracted from the electronic medical record and compared. The primary outcome was provider‐to‐disposition decision time.ResultsA total of 1892 patients were enrolled, 1071 patients while using conventional troponin and 821 after introduction of hs‐TnT. With the new assay and pathway, median interval between troponin tests decreased from 4.7 hours (interquartile range [IQR] 3.9–5.7 hours) to 2.3 hours (IQR 1.5–3.4 hours) (P < 0.001). However, there was no difference in median provider‐to‐disposition decision time, which measured 4.7 hours (IQR 2.9–7.2) and 4.8 hours (IQR 3.1–7.1) (P = 0.428) respectively. Total 30‐day MACE rate in discharged patients was low in both groups, occurring in only 4/472 (0.85%) encounters in the first cohort and 4/381 (1.0%) encounters in the second.ConclusionIntroduction of a 1‐hour hs‐TnT ACS evaluation pathway reduced the troponin collection interval but did not reduce provider to disposition time. There was no difference in rate of 30‐day MACE in patients discharged from the ED.

Combined Coronary Orbital Atherectomy and Intravascular Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Severely Calcified Coronary Stenoses: The First Case Series.

Severely calcified coronary stenoses remain a significant challenge during contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), often requiring advanced therapies to circumvent suboptimal lesion preparation and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Recent reports suggest combined coronary atherectomy and intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) may achieve superior preparation of severely calcified coronary stenoses during PCI. We sought to evaluate the safety and utility of combined orbital atherectomy (OA) and IVL for the modification of coronary artery calcification (CAC) prior to drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in PCI. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent coronary OA and IVL within a single PCI procedure at our institution. The primary outcome was procedural success, defined as successful DES implantation with a residual percent diameter stenosis of <30% and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow following PCI without occurrence of in-hospital MACE (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target-vessel revascularization). MACE was additionally assessed at 30 days post intervention. Eight patients underwent combined coronary OA and IVL within a single PCI procedure. The mean percent diameter stenosis prior to intervention was 80.5 ± 8.3%, with a mean calcific arc of 338 ± 42°. Procedural success was achieved in 7 of 8 cases (87.5%). Both in-hospital and 30-day MACE rates were 0%. We report the safe and effective use of combined coronary OA and IVL for the preparation of severely calcified coronary stenoses during PCI. Through their distinct yet complementary mechanisms of action, the combined use of these therapies may achieve superior preparation of severely calcified coronary stenoses during PCI.

Management and outcome across the spectrum of high-risk patients with myocardial infarction according to the thrmobolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk-score for secondary prevention.

BackgroundPatients with myocardial infarction (MI) are at increased risk for recurrent cardiovascular events, yet some patients, such as the elderly and those with prior comorbidities, are particularly at the highest risk. Whether these patients benefit from contemporary management is not fully elucidated.MethodsIncluded were consecutive patients with MI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large tertiary medical center. Patients were stratified according to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score for secondary prevention (TRS2°P) to high (TRS2°P = 3), very high (TRS2°P = 4), or extremely high‐risk (TRS2°P = 5–9). Excluded were low and intermediate‐risk patients (TRS2°P < 3). Outcomes included 30‐day/1‐year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and 1‐year mortality. Temporal trends were examined in the early (2004–2010) and late (2011–2016) time‐periods.ResultsAmong 2053 patients, 50% were high‐risk, 30% very high‐risk and 20% extremely high‐risk. Extremely high‐risk patients were older (age 74 ± 10 year) and had significant comorbidities (chronic kidney disease 68%, prior CABG 40%, heart failure 78%, peripheral artery disease 29%). Drug‐eluting stents and potent antiplatelets were more commonly used over time in all risk‐strata. Over time, 30‐day MACE rates have decreased, mainly attributed to the very high (11.3% to 5.1%, p = .006) and extremely high‐risk groups (15.9% to 8.0%, p = .016), but not the high‐risk group, with similar quantitative results for 1‐year MACE. The rates of 1‐year mortality remained unchanged in either group.ConclusionWithin a particularly high‐risk cohort of MI patients who underwent PCI, the implementation of guideline‐recommended therapies has improved over time, with the highest‐risk groups demonstrating the greatest benefit in outcomes.

Rescue PCI in the management of STEMI: Contemporary results from the Melbourne Interventional Group registry.

BackgroundFibrinolysis is an important reperfusion strategy in the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when timely access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is unavailable. Rescue PCI is generally thought to have worse outcomes than PPCI in STEMI. We aimed to determine short- and long-term outcomes of patients with rescue PCI versus PPCI for treatment of STEMI.Methods and resultsPatients admitted with STEMI (excluding out-of-hospital cardiac arrest) within the Melbourne Interventional Group (MIG) registry between 2005 and 2018 treated with either rescue PCI or PPCI were included in this retrospective cohort analysis. Comparison of 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and long-term mortality between the two groups was performed. There were 558 patients (7.1%) with rescue PCI and 7271 with PPCI. 30-day all-cause mortality (rescue PCI 6% vs. PPCI 5%, p = 0.47) and MACE (rescue PCI 10.3% vs. PPCI 8.9%, p = 0.26) rates were similar between the two groups. Rates of in-hospital major bleeding (rescue PCI 6% vs. PPCI 3.4%, p = 0.002) and 30-day stroke (rescue PCI 2.2% vs. PPCI 0.8%, p < 0.001) were higher following rescue PCI. The odds ratio for haemorrhagic stroke in the rescue PCI group was 10.3. Long-term mortality was not significantly different between the groups (rescue PCI 20% vs. PPCI 19%, p = 0.33).ConclusionsWith contemporary interventional techniques and medical therapy, rescue PCI remains a valuable strategy for treating patients with failed fibrinolysis where PPCI is unavailable and it has been suggested in extenuating circumstances where alternative revascularisation strategies are considered.

The Role of Using HEART Score to Risk Stratify Chest Pain Among Emergency Department High Utilizers.

The HEART score is used to effectively risk stratify undifferentiated chest pain patients in the Emergency Department (ED). It is unclear whether such risk stratification can be applied among ED high utilizers. We aim to determine the efficacy and safety of using the HEART score to predict 30-day short-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in ED high utilizers. We conducted a retrospective, observational study in which ED high utilizers were defined as patients who had four or more ED visits within the past 12 months. ED high utilizers presenting at the study ED with chest pain were enrolled. Patients in which the HEART score was utilized were placed in the HEART group and patients with no HEART scores documented were placed to the usual care group. Hospital admissions and cardiac stress tests performed during the index hospitalizations, and 30-day MACE rates were analyzed and compared between the HEART and usual care groups. From January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019, a total of 8,315 patient visits from ED high utilizers were enrolled. In the HEART group, 49% of ED visits were admitted with 20% receiving stress tests. A 30-day MACE outcome occurred among 1.4% of visits. In the usual care group, 44% of ED visits were admitted, with only 9% receiving index stress tests and a 1.5% of 30-day MACE occurrence (p=0.727). The study showed that similar short-term MACE outcomes occurred between patients using HEART scores and usual care to risk stratify chest pain among ED high utilizers.

Predicting Major Adverse Events in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

BackgroundEarly and accurate detection of short-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an unmet clinical need. ObjectivesThe goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that adding clinical judgment and electrocardiogram findings to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) measurement at presentation and after 1 h (ESC hs-cTn 0/1 h algorithm) would further improve its performance to predict MACE. MethodsPatients presenting to an emergency department with suspected AMI were enrolled in a prospective, multicenter diagnostic study. The primary endpoint was MACE, including all-cause death, cardiac arrest, AMI, cardiogenic shock, sustained ventricular arrhythmia, and high-grade atrioventricular block within 30 days including index events. The secondary endpoint was MACE + unstable angina (UA) receiving early (≤24 h) revascularization. ResultsAmong 3,123 patients, the ESC hs-cTnT 0/1 h algorithm triaged significantly more patients toward rule-out compared with the extended algorithm (60%; 95% CI: 59% to 62% vs. 45%; 95% CI: 43% to 46%; p < 0.001), while maintaining similar 30-day MACE rates (0.6%; 95% CI: 0.3% to 1.1% vs. 0.4%; 95% CI: 0.1% to 0.9%; p = 0.429), resulting in a similar negative predictive value (99.4%; 95% CI: 98.9% to 99.6% vs. 99.6%; 95% CI: 99.2% to 99.8%; p = 0.097). The ESC hs-cTnT 0/1 h algorithm ruled-in fewer patients (16%; 95% CI: 14.9% to 17.5% vs. 26%; 95% CI: 24.2% to 27.2%; p < 0.001) compared with the extended algorithm, albeit with a higher positive predictive value (76.6%; 95% CI: 72.8% to 80.1% vs. 59%; 95% CI: 55.5% to 62.3%; p < 0.001). For 30-day MACE + UA, the ESC hs-cTnT 0/1 h algorithm had a higher positive predictive value for rule-in, whereas the extended algorithm had a higher negative predictive value for the rule-out. Similar findings emerged when using hs-cTnI. ConclusionsThe ESC hs-cTn 0/1 h algorithm better balanced efficacy and safety in the prediction of MACE, whereas the extended algorithm is the preferred option for the rule-out of 30-day MACE + UA. (Advantageous Predictors of Acute Coronary Syndromes Evaluation [APACE]; NCT00470587).

Outcomes after Atherectomy Treatment of Severely Calcified Coronary Bifurcation Lesions: A Single Center Experience.

Coronary bifurcation and calcified lesions account for 15-20% and 6%-20% of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), respectively. Treatment of these lesions is associated with high periprocedural complication rates and unfavorable long-term clinical outcomes, including high rates of revascularization. This retrospective, single-center study evaluated the outcomes of atherectomy treatment for heavily calcified coronary bifurcation lesions. Patients who underwent a coronary atherectomy procedure to treat a heavily calcified lesion between January 2010 and March 2016 at Metropolitan Heart and Vascular Institute (Minneapolis, MN) were included in this retrospective study. Data were stratified to compare atherectomy treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions vs non-bifurcation lesions. Additionally, data were compared based on type of atherectomy utilized during the index procedure, either orbital (OAS) or rotational (RA) atherectomy. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR), were assessed at 30 days post-procedure. Among the 177 patients treated with atherectomy, 72 patients had bifurcation lesions. Compared to patients with non-bifurcation lesions, patients with bifurcation lesions were more likely to have a history of prior PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting. Bifurcation lesions required a higher volume of contrast. There were similar low rates of slow flow/no-reflow (2.8% bifurcations vs 1.0% non-bifurcation; p = 0.355). The 30-day rates of death (1.4% vs 1.9%; p = 0.794), MI (0% vs 0%; p = NA), and TVR (0% vs 1.0%; p = 0.406) were similar in patients with bifurcation lesions versus those without, respectively. An atherectomy sub-analysis (OAS vs RA) of the patients with bifurcation lesions showed that OAS utilization was associated with shorter procedure time (81 min vs 109 min; p = 0.026) and fluoroscopy time (18 min vs 27 min; p = 0.007) compared to RA, respectively-no significant differences in baseline demographic or lesion characteristics were noted in the bifurcation atherectomy sub-groups, except for higher beta/calcium blocker use in RA bifurcation subjects. The results of this study demonstrated that atherectomy treatment in patients with heavily calcified coronary bifurcation lesions is feasible, resulting in similar low 30-day MACE rates as compared to patients with non-bifurcation lesions. In addition, in this study OAS utilization versus RA in bifurcation lesions was associated with significantly shorter procedure and fluoroscopy time. Further studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of atherectomy in patients with severely calcified bifurcation lesions. This retrospective, single-center study evaluated the outcomes of orbital and rotational atherectomy treatment for heavily calcified coronary bifurcation lesions as compared to non-bifurcation lesions. The results demonstrate that atherectomy treatment in patients with heavily calcified coronary bifurcation lesions is feasible, resulting in similarly low 30-day MACE rates as compared to patients with non-bifurcation lesions. In addition, in this study OAS utilization versus RA in bifurcation lesions was associated with significantly shorter procedure and fluoroscopy time.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on procedural and one year clinical outcomes following treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions with the orbital atherectomy system: A subanalysis of the ORBIT II study.

The goal of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the coronary orbital atherectomy system to treat severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) prior to stent placement in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The ORBIT II study reported the safety and efficacy of orbital atherectomy treatment in 443 patients with severe CAC. Percutaneous coronary intervention in diabetic patients is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) compared with non-diabetics. The outcomes of diabetic patients who undergo orbital atherectomy are unknown. Patients were sub-grouped as either diabetic (160/443, 36.1%) or non-diabetic (283/443, 63.9%). The MACE rate, defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI; CK-MB > 3X ULN), and target vessel revascularization, was examined at 30 days and 1 year after treatment. Procedural success was similar in the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (89.3 vs. 88.6%, P = 0.88). There was no significant difference in the 30-day and 1-year MACE rates between the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (30 day: 8.8 vs. 11.3%; P = 0.40; 1 year: 17.1 vs. 16.7%, P = 0.97). The individual components of cardiac death (3.9 vs. 2.9%, P = 0.58), MI (9.4 vs. 11.3%, P = 0.52), and target vessel revascularization (5.9 vs. 5.8%, P = 0.99) were also similar in both groups at 1 year. The rates of adverse clinical events in diabetic patients who underwent orbital atherectomy were low and similar to non-diabetic patients. This study suggests orbital atherectomy is a reasonable treatment strategy for diabetic patients with severe CAC.

Association of Early Stress Testing with Outcomes for Emergency Department Evaluation of Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Professional society guidelines suggest early stress testing (within 72 hours) after an emergency department (ED) evaluation for suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, there is increasing concern that current practice results in over-testing without evidence of benefit. We test the hypothesis that early stress testing improves outcomes. We analyzed prospectively collected data from 9 EDs on patients with suspected ACS, 1999-2001. We excluded patients with an ED diagnosis of ACS. The primary outcome was 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), including all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction, and revascularization. We used the HEART score to determine pretest ACS risk (low, intermediate, and high). To mitigate potential confounding, patients with and without early stress testing were matched within pretest risk strata in a 1:2 ratio using propensity scores. Of 7127 potentially eligible patients, 895 (13%) received early stress testing. The analytic cohort included 895 patients with early stress testing matched to 1790 without early stress testing. The overall 30-day MACE rate in both the source and analytic population was 3%. There were no baseline imbalances after propensity score matching (P > 0.1 for more than 30 variables). There was no association between early stress testing and 30-day MACE [odds ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.6-1.7]. There was no effect modification by pretest risk (low: odds ratio, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.2-3.7; intermediate: 1.2; 95% CI, 0.6-2.6; high: 0.4; 95% CI, 0.1-1.6). Early stress testing is not associated with reduced MACE in patients evaluated for suspected ACS. Early stress testing may have limited value in populations with low MACE rate.

Association of Coronary Stent Indication With Postoperative Outcomes Following Noncardiac Surgery.

Current guidelines for delaying surgery after coronary stent placement are based on stent type. However, the indication for the stent may be an important risk factor for postoperative major adverse cardiac events (MACE). To determine whether the clinical indication for a coronary stent is associated with postoperative MACE. Retrospective cohort study in patients at US Veterans Affairs hospitals who had a coronary stent placed between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010, and underwent noncardiac surgery within the following 24 months. The association between the indication for stent and postoperative MACE rates was examined using logistic regression to control for patient and procedure factors. Three subgroups of stent indication were examined: (1) myocardial infarction (MI); (2) unstable angina; and (3) revascularization not associated with acute coronary syndrome (non-ACS). Composite 30-day postoperative MACE rates including all-cause mortality, MI, or revascularization. Among 26 661 patients (median [IQR] age, 68 [61.0-76.0] years; 98.4% male; 88.1% white) who underwent 41 815 surgical procedures within 24 months following coronary stent placement, the stent indication was MI in 32.8% of the procedures, unstable angina in 33.8%, and non-ACS in 33.4%. Postoperative MACE rates were significantly higher in the MI group (7.5%) compared with the unstable angina (2.7%) and non-ACS (2.6%) groups (P < .001). When surgery was performed within 3 months of percutaneous coronary intervention, adjusted odds of MACE were significantly higher in the MI group compared with the non-ACS group (odds ratio [OR] = 5.25; 95% CI, 4.08-6.75). This risk decreased over time, although it remained significantly higher at 12 to 24 months from percutaneous coronary intervention (OR = 1.95; 95% CI, 1.58-2.40). The adjusted odds of MACE for the unstable angina group were similar to those for the non-ACS group when surgery was performed within 3 months (OR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.80-1.53) or between 12 and 24 months (OR = 1.08; 95% CI, 0.86-1.37) from stent placement. Stent type was not significantly associated with MACE regardless of indication. Surgery in patients with a coronary stent placed for MI was associated with increased postoperative MACE rates compared with other stent indications. The risk declined over time from PCI, and delaying surgery up to 6 months in this cohort of patients with stents may be important regardless of stent type.

Reduction in Radiation Exposure through a Stress Test Algorithm in an Emergency Department Observation Unit.

IntroductionClinicians are urged to decrease radiation exposure from unnecessary medical procedures. Many emergency department (ED) patients placed in an observation unit (EDOU) do not require chest pain evaluation with a nuclear stress test (NucST). We sought to implement a simple ST algorithm that favors non-nuclear stress test (Non-NucST) options to evaluate the effect of the algorithm on the proportion of patients exposed to radiation by comparing use of NucST versus Non-NucST pre- and post-algorithm.MethodsAn ST algorithm was introduced favoring Non-NucST and limiting NucST to a subset of EDOU patients in October 2008. We analyzed aggregate data before (Jan-Sept 2008, period 1) and after (Jan-Sept 2009 and Jan-Sept 2010, periods 2 and 3 respectively) algorithm introduction. A random sample of 240 EDOU patients from each period was used to compare 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE). We calculated confidence intervals for proportions or the difference between two proportions.ResultsA total of 5,047 STs were performed from Jan-Sept 2008–2010. NucST in the EDOU decreased after algorithm introduction from period 1 to 2 (40.7%, 95% CI [38.3–43.1] vs. 22.1%, 95% CI [20.1–24.1]), and remained at 22.1%, 95% CI [20.3–24.0] in period 3. There was no difference in 30-day MACE rates before and after algorithm use (0.1% for period 1 and 3, 0% for period 2).ConclusionUse of a simple ST algorithm that favors non-NucST options decreases the proportion of EDOU chest pain patients exposed to radiation exposure from ST almost 50% by limiting NucST to a subset of patients, without a change in 30-day MACE.

Early Administration of Intracoronary Nitroprusside Compared with Thrombus Aspiration in Myocardial Perfusion for Acute Myocardial Infarction: A 3-Year Clinical Follow-Up Study.

Intracoronary nitroprusside and thrombus aspiration have been demonstrated to improve myocardial perfusion during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) However, no long-term clinical studies have been performed comparing these approaches. A single medical center retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intracoronary nitroprusside administration before slow/no-reflow phenomena versus thrombus aspiration during primary PCI. Forty-three consecutive patients with STEMI were enrolled in the intracoronary nitroprusside treatment group. One hundred twenty-four consecutive STEMI patients who received thrombus aspiration were enrolled; ninety-seven consecutive STEMI patients who did not receive either thrombus aspiration or intracoronary nitroprusside treatment were enrolled and served as control subjects. Patients with cardiogenic shock, who had received platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, or intra-aortic balloon pump insertion were excluded. Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, corrected TIMI frame count and TIMI myocardial perfusion grade (TMPG) were assessed prior to and following PCI by two independent cardiologists blinded to the procedures. The rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years after study enrollment as a composite of recurrent myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization, and cardiac death were recorded. The control group had a significantly lower pre-PCI TIMI flow (≤ 1; 49.5% vs. 69.8% vs. 77.4%; p = < 0.001) compared with the nitroprusside and thrombus aspiration groups. The thrombus aspiration group had a significantly higher pre-PCI thrombus score (> 4; 98.4% vs. 88.4% vs. 74.3%; p = < 0.001) and post-PCI TMPG (3; 39.5% vs. 16.3% vs. 20.6%; p = 0.001) compared with the nitroprusside and control groups. No significant differences were noted in the post-PCI thrombus score, 30-day, 1-year and 3-year MACE rate, and Kaplan-Meier curve among 3 groups of patients. Although thrombus aspiration provided improved TMPG compared with early administration of intracoronary nitroprusside and neither of both during primary PCI, it did not have a significant impact on 30-day, 1-year and 3-year MACE rate. Acute myocardial infarction; Intracoronary nitroprusside; Thrombus aspiration.

Risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events Following Noncardiac Surgery in Patients With Coronary Stents

Hawn, Mary T.*†; Graham, Laura A.*; Richman, Joshua S.*†; Itani, Kamal M. F.‡; Henderson, William G.§; Maddox, Thomas M.∥¶ Author Information

Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes in patients with elevated admission systolic blood pressure after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a population-based study

ObjectivePrognostic value of lower admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) in patients with acute myocardial infarction has been confirmed, but the impact of elevated admission SBP on short-term outcomes has been...

Cutting-balloon angioplasty before drug-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions.

BackgroundSeverely calcified coronary lesions respond poorly to balloon angioplasty, resulting in incomplete and asymmetrical stent expansion. Therefore, adequate plaque modification prior to drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is the key for calcified lesion treatment. This study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty for severely calcified coronary lesions.MethodsNinety-two consecutive patients with severely calcified lesions (defined as calcium arc ≥ 180° calcium length ratio ≥ 0.5) treated with balloon dilatation before DES implantation were randomly divided into two groups based on the balloon type: 45 patients in the conventional balloon angioplasty (BA) group and 47 patients in the cutting balloon angioplasty (CB) group. Seven cases in BA group did not satisfactorily achieve dilatation and were transferred into the CB group. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed before balloon dilatation and after stent implantation to obtain qualitative and quantitative lesion characteristics and evaluate the stent, including minimum lumen cross-sectional area (CSA), calcified arc and length, minimum stent CSA, stent apposition, stent symmetry, stent expansion, vessel dissection, and branch vessel jail. In-hospital, 1-month, and 6-month major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were reported.ResultsThere were no statistical differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups, including calcium arc (222.2° ± 22.2° vs. 235.0° ± 22.1°, P = 0.570), calcium length ratio (0.67 ± 0.06 vs. 0.77 ± 0.05, P = 0.130), and minimum lumen CSA before PCI (2.59 ± 0.08 mm2 vs. 2.52 ± 0.08 mm2, P = 0.550). After stent implantation, the final minimum stent CSA (6.26 ± 0.40 mm2 vs. 5.03 ± 0.33 mm2; P = 0.031) and acute lumen gain (3.74 ± 0.38 mm2 vs. 2.44 ± 0.29 mm2, P = 0.015) were significantly larger in the CB group than that of the BA group. There were not statistically differences in stent expansion, stent symmetry, incomplete stent apposition, vessel dissection and branch vessel jail between two groups. The 30-day and 6-month MACE rates were also not different.ConclusionsCutting balloon angioplasty before DES implantation in severely calcified lesions appears to be more efficacies including significantly larger final stent CSA and larger acute lumen gain, without increasing complications during operations and the MACE rate in 6-month.

Risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events Following Noncardiac Surgery in Patients With Coronary Stents

Guidelines recommend delaying noncardiac surgery in patients after coronary stent procedures for 1 year after drug-eluting stents (DES) and for 6 weeks after bare metal stents (BMS). The evidence underlying these recommendations is limited and conflicting. To determine risk factors for adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery following coronary stent implantation. A national, retrospective cohort study of 41,989 Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA operations occurring in the 24 months after a coronary stent implantation between 2000 and 2010. Nonlinear generalized additive models examined the association between timing of surgery and stent type with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) adjusting for patient, surgery, and cardiac risk factors. A nested case-control study assessed the association between perioperative antiplatelet cessation and MACE. A composite 30-day MACE rate of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and cardiac revascularization. Within 24 months of 124,844 coronary stent implantations (47.6% DES, 52.4% BMS), 28,029 patients (22.5%; 95% CI, 22.2%-22.7%) underwent noncardiac operations resulting in 1980 MACE (4.7%; 95% CI, 4.5%-4.9%). Time between stent and surgery was associated with MACE (<6 weeks, 11.6%; 6 weeks to <6 months, 6.4%; 6-12 months, 4.2%; >12-24 months, 3.5%; P < .001). MACE rate by stent type was 5.1% for BMS and 4.3% for DES (P < .001). After adjustment, the 3 factors most strongly associated with MACE were nonelective surgical admission (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.77; 95% CI, 4.07-5.59), history of myocardial infarction in the 6 months preceding surgery (AOR, 2.63; 95% CI, 2.32-2.98), and revised cardiac risk index greater than 2 (AOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.85-2.44). Of the 12 variables in the model, timing of surgery ranked fifth in explanatory importance measured by partial effects analysis. Stent type ranked last, and DES was not significantly associated with MACE (AOR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-1.01). After both BMS and DES placement, the risk of MACE was stable at 6 months. A case-control analysis of 284 matched pairs found no association between antiplatelet cessation and MACE (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.57-1.29). Among patients undergoing noncardiac surgery within 2 years of coronary stent placement, MACE were associated with emergency surgery and advanced cardiac disease but not stent type or timing of surgery beyond 6 months after stent implantation. Guideline emphasis on stent type and surgical timing for both DES and BMS should be reevaluated.

Utility of Rotational Atherectomy and Outcomes Over an Eight Year Period

Background: While the use of rotational atherectomy is now uncommon in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory, there are some cases where percutaneous revascularisation cannot be successfully performed without it. We reviewed the use and safety of rotational atherectomy procedures over an eight-year period in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Methods: From 2004 to 2012 the number of interventions involving rotational atherectomy was reviewed. The incidence, procedural success, 30-day and 12-month outcomes were analysed. Of the nine hospitals that have contributed to the registry over this period, five had access to rotational atherectomy. Results: The annual use of rotational atherectomy across the registry averaged 1.0% per year (range 0.73–1.4%). One hundred and ninety-six patients (240 lesions) underwent rotational atherectomy; 136 (69%) were male, 63 (32%) presented with acute coronary syndrome and the majority of the lesions (87%) were complex (type B2 or C). In six cases the lesion attempted was a total occlusion and one case a vein graft. Procedural success was achieved in 98% of cases and no coronary perforations occurred. In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred in eight (4%) patients, including one stroke, one cardiac death, three peri-procedural MI's and two patients undergoing inpatient coronary bypass surgery. MACE at 30 days was 5.1%. Twelve-month MACE occurred in 12.2% of patients with an all-cause mortality of 4.6%. Conclusions: Despite rotational atherectomy being performed in high-risk lesions, the procedural success was high with low 30-day and 12-month MACE rates. It is essential that expertise in rotational atherectomybe maintained in selected catheter laboratories.

Coronary cyclic flow variations following primary angioplasty is associated with poor short-term prognosis

Aims Recent studies have shown that coronary cyclic flow variations (CCFV) is a platelet-related phenomenon that occurred following reperfusion. Although CCFV predicts acute complications following thrombolytic therapy, its impact following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) has not been evaluated yet. Methods and results One hundred and thirty-one patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) who underwent PCI were included in the analysis. All patients have 24-hour ST-segment monitoring. The development of CCFV was defined as ≥ 3 ST-segment transitions ( ≥ 150 μV). We divided the population in two groups according to the presence ( n = 14, 10.6%) or absence ( n = 117) of CCFV. The relation between CCFV and 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, smoking, anterior infarct, Killip class, and final TIMI flow grade. Clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between the two groups. Higher 30-day mortality (21.4 vs. 3.8%, p = 0.022) and MACE rates (42.9 vs. 10.7%, p = 0.005) were seen in the CCFV group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that patients with CCFV were at increased risk of 30-day MACE (adjusted RR 5.09; 95% CI 1.3­19.1; p = 0.0016). Conclusion The presence of CCFV altered primary PCI may provide an early indication of insufficient myocardial perfusion and impending catastrophic outcome.