Angioplasty For Infarction Research Articles

Predictive Power of In-Hospital and Long-Term Mortality of the GRACE, TIMI, Revised CADILLAC and PAMI Score in NSTEMI Patients with Diabetes - Data from TSOC ACS-DM Registry.

Risk score is widely used in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients to predict the in-hospital outcome for immediate coronary angiography decision and care of unit selection. This study compared the performances of the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI), Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE), Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMI), and Revised Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications (Revised CADILLAC) risk scores in predicting in-hospital and long-term outcomes in diabetic NSTEMI patients. A total of 750 diabetic NSTEMI patients from 27 hospitals were enrolled between January 2013 and December 2015 in the nationwide registry initiated by the Taiwan Society of Cardiology. Four score systems were calculated with receiver operator characteristic analysis used to compare outcome discrimination performance. No studied risk scores reached acceptable discrimination per area under curve (AUC) in the prediction of in-hospital outcome except for the revised CADILLAC score which reached acceptable discrimination in new-onset cardiogenic shock (AUC = 0.7191) and acute renal failure (AUC = 0.7283). In long-term outcomes, only the revised CADILLAC score reached acceptable discrimination of mortality prediction at 6, 12 and 24 months (AUC = 0.7261 at 6 months, 0.7319 at 12 months, and 0.7256 at 24 months). Subgroup analysis based on the revised CADILLAC score risk class showed a significant difference in adjusted mortality rate between low-risk group/intermediate-risk group and high-risk group. Only the revised CADILLAC score showed acceptable accuracy to predict the long-term mortality outcome among the scores studied.

Malnutrition and biological frailty are independent and complementary predictors of one-year mortality in women after primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Malnutrition and sarcopenia are common features of frailty. Prevalence of frailty among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is higher in women than men. Purpose Assess gender-based differences in the impact of nutritional risk index (NRI) and frailty in one-year mortality rate among STEMI patients following primary angioplasty (PA). Methods Cohort of 321 consecutive patients (64 years [54–75]; 22.4% women) admitted to a general ICU after PA for STEMI. NRI was calculated as 1.519 × serum albumin (g/L) + 41.7 × (actual body weight [kg]/ideal weight [kg]). Vulnerable and moderate to severe NRI patients were those with Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)≥4 and NRI<97.5, respectively. We used Kaplan-Meier survival model. Results Baseline and mortality variables of 4 groups (NRI-/CFS-; NRI+/CFS-; NRI+/CFS- and NRI+/CFS+) are depicted in the Table. Prevalence of malnutrition, frailty or both were significantly greater in women (34.3%, 10% y 21.4%, respectively) than in men (28.9%, 2.8% y 6.0%, respectively; P<0.001). Women had greater mortality rate (20.8% vs. 5.2%: OR 4.78, 95% CI, 2.15–10.60, P<0.001), mainly from cardiogenic shock (P=0.003). Combination of malnutrition and frailty significantly decreased cumulative one-year survival in women (46.7% vs. 73.3% in men, P<0.001) Conclusion Among STEMI patients undergoing PA, the prevalence of malnutrition and frailty are significantly higher in women than in men. NRI and frailty had an independent and complementary prognostic impact in women with STEMI. Kaplan-Meier and Cox survival curves Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

STENTYS coronary system: current status and future direction.

Stentys self-apposing stent was designed to face complex lesions in the precincts of percutaneous coronary interventions. Nitinol platform and disconnectable struts were designed to provide a complete apposition on the vessel wall in challenging lesions such as significant tapering, primary angioplasty in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and bifurcation. Stentys X-Position S is a sirolimus eluting stent with a novel delivery system aiming to improve positioning. Clinical trials showed good results in terms of procedural success rate, clinical outcome and short term strut apposition. Nevertheless, Stentys stent did not show superiority over the conventional balloon-expandable stents in the clinical outcomes. Authors underlined the importance of a learning curve and an adequate training period to get familiar with the device's features. Future trials in an all-comer population using the novel X-Position S stent will confirm the preliminary findings and strengthen evidence in clinical practice.

STENTYS coronary system: current status and future direction.

Stentys self-apposing stent was designed to face complex lesions in the precincts of percutaneous coronary interventions. Nitinol platform and disconnectable struts were designed to provide a complete apposition on the vessel wall in challenging lesions such as significant tapering, primary angioplasty in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and bifurcation. Stentys X-position S is a sirolimus eluting stent with a novel delivery system aiming to improve positioning. Clinical trials showed good results in terms of procedural success rate, clinical outcome and short-term strut apposition. Nevertheless, Stentys stent did not show superiority over the conventional balloon-expandable stents in the clinical outcomes. Authors underlined the importance of a learning curve and an adequate training period to get familiar with the device's features. Future trials in an all-comer population using the novel X-Position S stent will confirm the preliminary findings and strengthen evidence in clinical practice.

The impact of knowledge and effectiveness of educational intervention on readiness for hospital discharge and adherence to therapeutic recommendations in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Introduction: ESC guidelines emphasize the importance of educating patients after acute coronary syndromes aimed at familiarizing the patient with the essence of the disease, the principles of self-control and self-care as well as actions enhancing health maintenance. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of knowledge and effectiveness of educational intervention on readiness for discharge from the hospital and compliance with therapeutic recommendations six months after discharge. Material and methods: The study group consisted of 218 patients (28.9% women and 71.1% men) aged 31 to 90 years (63.0 ± 11.24) treated with coronary angioplasty for myocardial infarction. The effectiveness of educational intervention was assessed by comparing patients’ knowledge on the day of admission (1KE) and discharge from the hospital (2KE). Knowledge was assessed in 3 aspects: knowledge of symptoms, knowledge of the disease, and knowledge of prevention. Education was provided between 1KE and 2KE based on the brochure entitled “Myocardial Infarction”. The level of knowledge on the day of discharge and the increase in knowledge obtained after education (ΔKE) were referred to the level of Readiness for Hospital Discharge after Myocardial Infarction Scale (RHD-MIS) and to the level of adherence in chronic diseases scale (ACDS). Results: As a result of the education carried out between 1KE and 2KE, a significant increase in knowledge was obtained (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between ΔKE and RHD-MIS. However, it was shown that a higher level of knowledge at discharge (2KE) was associated with a higher RHD-MIS result (R = 0.17; p = 0.01). The highest impact on the RHD-MIS result was due to the level of knowledge of disease symptoms in 2KE: 75.5 ± 19.5%, 76.4 ± 21.1%, 85.8 ± 16.4% for low, medium and high RHD-MIS results (p = 0.002) ; R = 0.15; p = 0.0003. Knowledge of the disease symptoms in 2KE was associated with the patient’s expectations in RHD-MIS - a higher level of knowledge was associated with higher patient expectations, respectively: 73.2 ± 21.7%, 80.0 ± 18.5%, 82.9 ± 19.2 for low, medium and high RHDMIS (p = 0.02); R = 0.19; p = 0.006. There was no correlation between ΔKE or 2KE and ACDS results 6 months after discharge. Conclusions: The educational brochure is an effective tool in improving patients’ level of knowledge. Better knowledge of the symptoms of coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction is associated with a higher degree of readiness for discharge from the hospital but does not affect the observance of therapeutic recommendations in the field of pharmacotherapy after 6 months.

Fractional flow reserve-guided multivessel angioplasty in myocardial infarction: three-year follow-up with cost benefit analysis of the Compare-Acute trial.

The Compare-Acute trial showed superiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided acute complete revascularisation compared to culprit-only treatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease (MVD) at one year. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome at three years, together with cost analysis of this strategy. After primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 885 patients with STEMI and MVD were randomised (1:2 ratio) to FFR-guided complete revascularisation (295 patients) or infarct-related artery (IRA)-only treatment (590 patients). After 36 months, the primary endpoint (composite of death, myocardial infarction, revascularisation, stroke) occurred significantly less frequently in the FFR-guided complete revascularisation group: 46/295 patients (15.6%) versus 178/590 patients (30.2%) (HR 0.46, 95% CI: 0.33-0.64; p<0.001). This benefit was driven mainly by the reduction of revascularisations in the follow-up (12.5% vs 25.2%; HR 0.45, 95% CI: 0.31-0.64; p<0.001). Cost analysis shows benefit of the FFR-guided complete revascularisation strategy, which can reduce the cost per patient by up to 21% at one year (8,150€ vs 10,319€) and by 22% at three years (8,653€ vs 11,100€). In patients with STEMI and MVD, FFR-guided complete revascularisation is more beneficial in terms of outcome and healthcare costs compared to IRA-only revascularisation at 36 months.

Jiangsu Province Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Registry study: a report of 4 661 patients in 13 centers

Objective: To examine the overall status of the Jiangsu Province Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Registry database. Methods: The patients date of Jiangsu Province Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Registry database from October 2017 to December 2019 was collected retrospectively.Risk factors, history, cardiac function (New York Heart Association class), extent of coronary artery lesion, European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation Ⅱ (EuroSCORE Ⅱ), cardiopulmonary bypss, arterial grafts, the numbers and flow of grafts and postoperative major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event(MACCE) information were analyzed. The clinical data of patients underwent on-pump CABG(ONCABG) or off-pump CABG (OPCAB) were compared by t test or χ(2) test. Results: Up till December 2019, the database enrolled 7 138 patients, in which 4 661 patients receiving primary isolated CABG. There were 3 486 males and 1 175 females with the age of (64.6±8.1) years (range:31 to 87 years). There were coronary left main disease in 960 patients, triple vessel disease in 3 934 patients, both left main and triple vessel disease in 837 patients, ejection fraction>50% in 3 841 patients, cardiac function class Ⅲ to Ⅳ in 1 664 patients. EuroSCORE Ⅱ was (2.3±0.7)% (range: 0.5% to 35.8%). There were 2 731 patients (58.59%) underwent ONCABG and 1 930 patients (41.41%) underwent OPCAB. There were 4 144 patients (88.91%) for whom the left internal thoracic artery was harvested. Seven centers (2 centers routinely) used left radial artery, 5 centers (3 centers routinely) used the transit time flow meter. The graft was 3.4±0.7 (range:1 to 7), the aortic crossclamp time was (65.0±20.4) minutes (range: 21 to 196 minutes), the cardiopulmonary bypass time was (90.0±24.2) minutes (range: 33 to 227 minutes). In-hospital death ocurred in 84 patients(1.80%), while re-operation in 93 patients (2.00%), myocardial infarction in 71 patients (1.52%), cerebral infarction in 33 patients (0.71%) and dialysis in 56 patients (1.20%). There were 2 936 patients prescribed with secondary prevention drugs(62.99%).Comparing with OPCAB group, ONCABG group had younger age, more female, more diabetes mellitus, more history of myocardial infarction and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, poorer cardiac function and coronary lesions, higher EuroSCORE Ⅱ, preoperatively (all P<0.05), and was associated with higher MACCE (135/2 731 vs. 71/1 930, χ(2)=4.280, P=0.039), and of more grafts, transfusion and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation application (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Jiangsu Province Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Registry database is generally in good operation, and some parameters still need to be improved. Comparing with OPCAB group, ONCABG has more severe preoperative general conditions, while the outcomes is acceptable.

Balloon coronary angioplasty and parenteral antiplatelet therapy for intraoperative myocardial infarction during general surgery: An attempt to balance benefits and risks - a case report

Introduction. Cardiovascular complications remain one of the major risk factors for perioperative morbidity and bad outcome in non-cardiac surgery patients. Here we report a case of the patient suffering intraoperative ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) promptly treated with percutaneous balloon angioplasty and intravenous antiplatelet agents. Case report. A 62-year-old man, without previous history of cardiovascular morbidity, developed STEMI during abdominal surgery. Due to profound hypotension with mean arterial pressure of less than 40 mmHg, surgery was promptly ended and patient transferred to intensive care unit. Within one hour after the end of the surgery, coronary angiography and successful balloon angioplasty of occluded right coronary artery were performed. Tirofiban infusion was started in recommended dose. Developed hemodynamic instability was related to hypovolemia and excessive drainage, reaching 1,500 mL of blood in the following 15 hours. The following morning, drainage persisted (additional 600 mL of blood) which resulted in profound hypotension (65/40 mmHg). Overall, the patient received 1,970 mL of blood, 6 doses of thrombocytes and 840 mL of fresh frozen plasma. All together, the patient had a favorable outcome, despite the occurrence of bleeding complications and hemodynamic instability. Conclusion. The choice of treatment strategy for patients suffering perioperative STEMI during major non-cardiac surgery is challenging. After major non-cardiac surgery, characterized by both high bleeding risk and high risk of stent thrombosis, balloon angioplasty instead of stenting along with parenteral antiplatelet treatment may be a fair therapeutic choice. Clinical choices have to be made individually, according to the weighted risks and benefits.

Timely discharge of low-risk STEMI patients admitted for primary PCI in an Essex cardiothoracic centre.

Data for low-risk ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in the Essex cardiothoracic centre (CTC) during a three-month period were evaluated and the average duration of admission was calculated to be 67.2 hours. The data were sifted by applying Second Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (PAMIII) criteria for low-risk STEMI patients who could be safely discharged after 48 hours. After application of a proforma as a quality improvement intervention tool, data were re-assessed and the average time of admission observed for a similar cohort of patients dropped down to an average of 55.2 hours. Overall, there was a 13% average increase in rate of early discharge for low-risk STEMI patients.

Study of primary angioplasty in hospital not having onsite cardiac catheterization facility

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the appropriateness of use and quality as well as outcomes of primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction (MI) in a single center without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capability. Background: Primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) increases the rates of patency of the infarcted artery, improves survival rates, and reduces the rates of reinfarction and strokes as compared to thrombolysis. Methods: This is a hospital-based prospective study involving 77 patients. Primary PTCA was done by emergency transfer to PCI center at earliest. Results: Male patients outnumbered females (77% vs. 22%). Patients in the age group of 45–69 years constituted around 70.0% of the total ST-elevation MI patients. Majority of the patients (90%) presented with chest pain. During coronary angiography, it was found that the major culprit coronary was the right coronary (42.85%) followed by the left anterior descending artery (36.36%). A majority of the patients in the study group were found to have single-vessel disease (57.14%), and only five of the patients had triple-vessel disease (06.49%). Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were given to 41 patients (53.24%) as an adjuvant therapy. Conclusion: Primary angioplasty is very appropriate and feasible with a good outcome for the management of patients with acute ST-elevation MI even in a center where the facility of cardiac catheterization is not available. Our patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction who were shifted to a center having cardiac catheterization laboratory and subsequently managed with primary angioplasty showed good response and outcome in terms of mortality and morbidity over a follow-up of 1 year.

P3451Female gender is an independent predictor of one-year mortality following primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, regardless of age, clinical severity and frailty

Abstract Background Gender-based differences in mortality of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have been reported. However, controversy exists about the impact of female gender on mortality after correcting for baseline risk differences. Purpose Assess gender-based mortality in a cohort of STEMI patients following primary angioplasty. Methods Retrospective cohort of 427 consecutive STEMI patients (64 years [55–75]; 78% men) admitted to a general ICU between November-2013 and February-2017. We used Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models for survival analysis. The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) was used to assess frailty. Results Women were older and had a higher GRACE 2.0 and frailty (CFS≥4). Women had lower creatine-phosphokinase and albumin levels and higher B-natriuretic peptide levels, despite the lack of gender-based differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and MI size and location. One-year mortality rate was higher in women, most often from cardiogenic shock during admission and at 30-day follow-up (Table). After Cox regression analysis, women had a 2.23-fold higher risk of one-year mortality compared with men (Figure), independently of age, frailty, GRACE 2.0, LVEF and inotropic agents requirements. Baseline characteristics Women (n=93) Men (n=334) P value One-year mortality, n (%) 15 (16.1) 15 (4.5) &lt;0.001 Cardiogenic shock, n (%) 10 (62.5) 6 (37.5) &lt;0.001 Age (years) 70.8 [51.2–80.3] 61.9 [54.2–71.8] &lt;0.001 Hypertension, n (%) 54 (58.1) 149 (44.6) 0.022 GRACE 2.0 129 [104.5–156] 112 [94–139] 0.001 Clinical Frailty Scale≥4, n (%) 28 (30.1) 32 (9.6) &lt;0.001 MI location (anterior), n (%) 42 (45.2) 152 (45.5) 0.953 Creatin-phosphokinase (UI/L) 1040 [300.5–2134] 1517 [620.5–2852.8] 0.004 High-sensitivity troponin I (pg/mL) 4003 [62.1–48526.6] 9070 [65.8–65893] 0.473 Left ventricular ejection fraction (%) 52 [40–60] 55 [45–60] 0.465 B-natriuretic peptide (pg/mL) 241.1 [99.9–896.9] 103.6 [28.3–259.2] &lt;0.001 Albumin (g/L) 36.1 [34.3–38.5] 38.4 [35.6–40.5] &lt;0.001 Inotropic agents, n (%) 14 (15.1) 26 (7.8) 0.033 Kaplan-Meier and Cox survival curves. Conclusions Female gender is an independent predictor of one-year mortality in STEMI patients, regardless of age, clinical severity and frailty. A potential myocardial disfunction probably mediated by an increased frailty, may play a role in the high mortality rate among women after STEMI.

3300MiR-126-3P and MiR-223-3p in Prediction of Thrombotic Risk in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Primary Angioplasty, The Prague-18 Genetic Sub-study

Abstract Background Balancing the intensity and duration of antiplatelet therapy according to thrombotic risk is a fundamental need in order to optimize therapy effectiveness and safety. Incorporation of new predictors in thrombotic risk stratification is therefore of a crucial importance for antiplatelet therapy net clinical benefit. Purpose The present analysis aimed to evaluate the relation of miR-126-3p and miR-223-3p, new markers of platelet activation, in order to facilitate prediction of recurrent thrombotic events after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Method The analysis included 598 patients (age median 62 years, men 77.8%) randomized in the Prague-18 study (ticagrelor vs. prasugrel in AIM treated with primary PCI). During the study follow up, 40.6% of patients switched to clopidogrel. Determination of miR was evaluated 24 hours after admission; miR-126-3p and miR-223-3p were normalized by miR-423-3p and miR-150-5p. Quantitative determination of selected miRNAs was performed with a novel microRNA immunoassay method. Selected miRNAs were compared with key efficacy endpoints (cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI and stroke), stent thrombosis and all hemorrhagic events, and analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results Increased values of miR-223-3p were significantly related to the occurrence of combined ischemic endpoint within 30 days [OR (95% CI) 15.739 (2.066; 119.932) p=0.008] and within one year [3.175 (1.40; 7.186) p=0.006]. Decreased ratio of miR-126-3P/miR-223-3p was significantly related to the occurrence of combined ischemic endpoint within 30 days [0.137 (0.031; 0.609) p=0.009] and one year [0.372 (0.169; 0.819) p=0.014]. MiRNAs were identified as independent predictors even after adjustment for confounding clinical predictors (Study arm, Switch to Clopidogrel, Age, Men, BMI, Smoking, History of Hyperlipidemia, Hypertension, DM, MI, PCI, CABG, Chronic heart failure, Chronic renal failure, Peripheral arterial disease, LBBB, RBBB, TIMI &lt;3 after PCI, Number of diseased vessels &gt;1, Stem disease, Suboptimal of failure of PCI, Time to hospital). Adjusted ORs (95% CI) are 11.828 (1.472; 98.011), p=0.022 and 2.394 (1.021; 5.610), p=0.045 for increased value of miR-223-3p and the occurrence of combined ischemic endpoint within 30 days and one year respectively; 0.151 (0.030; 0.757), p=0.022 and 0.407 (0.179; 0.925), p=0.032 for decreased ratio of miR-126–3P/miR-223-3p and the occurrence of combined ischemic endpoint within 30 days and one year respectively. No association between miRNA and bleeding complications was identified. Conclusion The miR-223-3p and miR-126-3p to miR-223-3p ratio are strong independent predictors of thrombotic ischemic events and can be used to stratify patients post AMI.

Focus on STENTYS® Xposition S Self-Apposing® stent: a review of available literature.

Percutaneous coronary interventions are the primary revascularization strategy for the vast majority of patients with coronary artery disease. Nevertheless, challenging settings still limit optimal results, especially in case of significant tapering, bifurcations or primary angioplasty in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Stentys® Self-Apposing® stent was designed to improve strut apposition to the vessel wall and to adapt to difficult targets. The Xposition S is a sirolimus-eluting stent with a novel delivery system, to improve accurate positioning. Several studies compared the device with traditional balloon-expandable stents, showing better results in terms of malapposition reduction and a noninferiority in relation to procedural outcomes. Available data show good clinical results, but a direct comparison with balloon-expandable stents from large randomized trials is still lacking. Thus, the Stentys Xposition S can be an alternative to traditional stents in dedicated scenarios, but strong evidence from large randomized trials is needed to derive stronger recommendations.

A novel experimental thrombotic myocardial infarction and primary angioplasty model in swine.

We sought to develop a reproducible animal model for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in adult atherosclerosis-prone pigs. A coil was placed in the right coronary artery or the left anterior descending artery in 26 downsized spontaneously hypercholesterolaemic pigs and left untreated until thrombotic occlusion. Then, we crossed the thrombotic occlusion with a guidewire, followed by predilatation, thrombus visualisation with optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and, finally, deployment of a stent and repeated OCT. After revascularisation, we calculated the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR). After a feasibility phase (six animals), acute thrombotic occlusion was achieved in all 20 pigs. Eighteen animals were successfully revascularised and survived until sacrifice. Thrombus formation was confirmed by OCT, measurement of thrombin-antithrombin complexes and pathology examination. Myocardial necrosis was confirmed by troponin T elevation, myocardial staining and pathology examination. Distal thrombotic embolisation and microvascular obstruction were supported by increased IMR and pathology examination. A porcine model of thrombotic occlusion AMI in miniaturised adult spontaneously atherosclerosis-prone pigs is feasible by percutaneous intracoronary placement of a coil. The reperfusion by angioplasty completed this model which mirrors human pathological conditions with myocardial infarction, necrosis and distal embolisation.

Comparison of 0.9-mm and 1.4-mm catheters in excimer laser coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) is a unique revascularization modality that can vaporize plaque and thrombus. Compared to thrombus aspiration therapy, ELCA is reported to provide better microcirculation and reduced peripheral embolism in treatment for acute coronary syndrome. Excimer laser catheters come in various sizes, and we sought to compare the 0.9- and 1.4-mm-diameter catheters. We retrospectively enrolled 90 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention with excimer laser from August 2013 to March 2017 in our hospital. Patients were grouped by diameter of catheter that had been used, the 0.9 mm group (n = 51) and 1.4 mm group (n = 39). We evaluated myocardial perfusion, procedural success rate, short-term outcome, lesion crossability, and complications between the two groups. The percentage of patients whose final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade was 3 (0.9 mm 86.3% vs 1.4 mm 89.7% p = 0.75) and final myocardial blush grade (MBG) was 3 (0.9 mm 72.5% vs 1.4 mm 69.2% p = 0.82) was similarly high for both groups. Procedural success rate, in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE), lesion crossability, and complications were also similar. This study showed that efficacy of 0.9 and 1.4 mm excimer laser catheter was equivalent in ELCA for AMI patients. If one takes into account lesion crossability, debulking effects, and the stunned platelets phenomenon, the 0.9 mm excimer laser catheter is sufficient for ELCA in AMI patients.

Left Ventricular Thrombus After Primary PCI for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: 1-Year Clinical Outcomes

BackgroundLeft ventricular thrombus formation is a complication of acute myocardial infarction. However, the incidence and risk of systemic thromboembolism in the era of primary angioplasty for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear. This study aims to determine clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI treated with primary angioplasty and left ventricular thrombus at 1 year. MethodsPatients who underwent primary angioplasty for STEMI and had a transthoracic echocardiogram were recruited. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, and systemic thromboembolism at 1 year. For the primary endpoint, the difference between the presence and absence of left ventricular thrombus was compared using a logistic regression, adjusting for minimization variables including age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and previous stroke. ResultsOf 2608 patients who underwent primary angioplasty for STEMI, 1645 (63%) patients had a transthoracic echocardiogram performed during the index hospital admission. Forty patients (2.4%) had evidence of left ventricular thrombus on transthoracic echocardiography. Patients with left ventricular thrombus were more likely to develop atrial fibrillation in the immediate postinfarction period (6 [15%] vs 87 [5.4%], P = 0.025). At 1 year, the primary endpoint occurred in 4 (10%) patients with left ventricular thrombus and 146 (9.1%) who did not (logistic regression hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.23-2.70). ConclusionsIn the contemporary era of mechanical reperfusion for STEMI, echocardiographic detection of left ventricular thrombus was observed in <3% patients. The presence of left ventricular thrombus was not associated with an increased risk of systemic thromboembolism.

ST-segment re-elevation following primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction with patent infarct-related artery: impact on left ventricular function recovery and remodeling.

IntroductionSpontaneous recanalization of the infarct-related artery (IRA) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before primary angioplasty (PCI) improves clinical outcomes.AimTo investigate the impact of ST-segment re-elevation (reSTE) following PCI in patent IRA on left ventricular (LV) function recovery and remodeling.Material and methodsOf 155 STEMI patients with patent IRA, 19 (12.3%) patients with TIMI-2 (T2Res) and 85 (54.8%) with TIMI-3 (T3Res) had further STE resolution following PCI, 20 (12.9%) with TIMI-3 did not require PCI (T3noPCI) and 31 (20.0%) with TIMI-2/3 had reSTE of ≥ 1 mm following PCI as compared with pre-PCI recordings (T23reSTE). LV ejection fraction (LVEF, %) and LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes (LVEDVI, LVESVI, ml/m2) were measured by echocardiography 2 days and 6 months following PCI.ResultsIn 6-month observation the improvement of LVEF in T3Res (by 3.9 ±5.1%) and in T3noPCI (by 5.7 ±6.1%) patients was higher as compared with T23reSTE (0.2 ±7.0%, p < 0.05 versus both). LVEDVI increased in T23reSTE patients by 6.6 ±12.6 ml/m2, but decreased in T3Res by 3.8 ±9.7 ml/m2 and in T3noPCI by 2.4 ±6.2 ml/m2 (for both p < 0.05 vs. T23reSTE). LVESVI increased in T23reSTE patients (by 3.8 ±10.8 ml/m2), did not change in T2Res (by 0.1 ±9.0 ml/m2), but decreased in T3Res (by 4.2 ±7.2 ml/m2, p < 0.05 vs. T23reSTE) and in T3noPCI patients (by 4.7 ±7.7 ml/m2, p < 0.05 vs. T23reSTE). ReSTE was an independent predictor of LVEF, LVEDVI and LVESVI changes (p < 0.001 for all).ConclusionsReSTE following PCI in a patent IRA is associated with a lack of improvement of LV contractility and subsequent LV remodeling.

Factors associated with delay in transfer of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction from first medical contact to catheterization laboratory: Lessons from CRAC, a French prospective multicentre registry

It is critical to minimize the time between the first medical contact and primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. To identify factors associated with a delay of>120min between first medical contact and primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Data were analysed from a regional French registry of patients undergoing coronary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction<24h after symptom onset. Patients (n=2081) were grouped according to transfer times from first medical contact to primary percutaneous coronary intervention:>120min; or≤120min. Independent predictors of delay were identified by univariate and multivariable analyses. The median transfer time from first medical contact to primary percutaneous coronary intervention was 112min; 892 patients (42.9%) had a transfer time>120min. A delay of>120min was significantly associated with:≥75km distance from interventional cardiology centre at symptom onset (odds ratio 7.9); more than one medical practitioner involved before interventional cardiology centre (odds ratio 4.5); first admission to a hospital without an interventional cardiology centre (odds ratio 2.9); absence of emergency call (odds ratio 1.6); ≥90min between symptom onset and first medical contact (odds ratio 1.3); Killip class at admission>1 (odds ratio 1.8); lateral ischaemia (odds ratio 1.8); diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 1.6); and hypertension (odds ratio 1.3). In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, a transfer time from first medical contact to primary percutaneous coronary intervention of>120min was associated with geographic, systemic and comorbid factors, several of which appear reasonably actionable.

Unusual presentation of an unusual complication after rescue angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction

Hemorrhagic pericarditis and pericardial tamponade occurring in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (MI) are very uncommon. Even rare is its presentation as acute liver failure. We describe a patient who presented with acute liver failure postangioplasty and stenting of left anterior descending and right coronary artery in the setting of a large transmural anterior wall MI. Acute liver failure in this case was attributable to a hemorrhagic pericardial effusion and tamponade. It completely resolved following pericardiocentesis. This unusual presentation of an unusual complication and its management is discussed.

A novel experimental thrombotic myocardial infarction and primary angioplasty model in atherosclerotic swine

We sought to develop a reproducible, percutaneous basic science and translational animal model for the generation of thrombotic occlusion acute myocardial infarction in adult atherosclerotic pigs. A vascular coil COOK TORNADO® 38 inches (3–3.5 × 20–50 mm) was placed in the right coronary artery or the left anterior descending artery in 26 downsized spontaneously hypercholesterolemic pigs and left untreated until a thrombotic intracoronary occlusion was present. After the angiographic confirmation of total occlusion, we proceeded to crossing the newly formed thrombotic occlusion with a guidewire, followed by pre-dilatation with a semi compliant balloon, thrombus visualization with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging and, finally, deployment of a stent and repeated OCT. After revascularization, we calculated the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) to estimate microvascular obstruction. AMI was confirmed by ECG, biochemical, histological, macroscopic examination and TTC imaging. After feasibility phase (6 animals), acute thrombotic occlusion was achieved in 20 pigs. In total, 18 were successful revascularized and survived until the previously selected time for sacrifice. Time to occlusion after coil placement was 69 ± 29 min, thrombus formation was confirmed by OCT, thrombin-antithrombin complexes (TAT) measurements and pathology examination. Myocardial necrosis by troponin I elevation, myocardial staining and pathology examination. Distal thrombotic embolization and microvascular obstruction were supported by increased IMR and pathology examination. Thrombotic occlusion AMI in miniaturized adult spontaneously atherosclerotic pigs is feasible by percutaneous intracoronary placement of a coil. The reperfusion by angioplasty mirrors human pathological conditions with myocardial infarction, necrosis and distal embolization. Our model closely simulates human presentation of AMI and can be used to evaluate antithrombotic agents and primary angioplasty techniques.