Cardiac Revascularization Research Articles

Bariatric Surgery in Patients with Previous Cardiac Revascularization: Review of Literature.

Background: The diet and physical activity of the world's population determine the increase in the number of bariatric surgeries. The most common types of bariatric surgery are laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and Roux-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Surgical interventions are carried out in patients with numerous comorbidities, among which the most common are cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to review the literature regarding the safety and results of surgical treatment in patients with cardiac revascularization prior to surgery. Methods: We performed an online search in Pubmed in September 2023 to identify articles that reported cardiac revascularization prior to bariatric surgery. The extracted information included details of the working method, number of patients, types of cardiovascular disease-heart failure (HF) and cardiac artery disease (CAD), types of revascularization-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or both CABG + PCI, demographic data (age, gender, race), clinical characteristics (body mass index-BMI, smoking status), comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prior myocardial infarction), postoperative complications, and postoperative results. Results: A total of 171 records were identified by the initial search, and 165 papers were excluded after applying the exclusion criteria (types of cardiovascular disease, types of revascularization, and demographic data). We evaluated a group of 9479 patients of which 730 had HF, 2621 CAD, and 1426 underwent prior cardiac revascularization. The analysis of the demographic data showed an average age of 55.5 years and a fluctuation of the male gender between 39% and 71.1%, and the female gender between 28.9% and 61%. The main types of bariatric interventions were RYGB (3659 cases) and LSG (659 cases), to which adjustable gastric band (AGB) and bilio-pancreatic diversion-duodenal switch (BPD-DS) were added. Among the most postprocedural complications were ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (2 patients), gastro-intestinal bleeding (51 cases), pulmonary embolism (1 patient), arrhythmia (3 patients) and pacemaker insertion (1 patient). The recorded postoperative mortality rate was 0.42% (6 cases). Conclusions: Bariatric surgery remains safe in patients with cardiac revascularization. These finding need to be confirmed in more large-scale randomized trials.

Clinical Impact of Intracoronary Imaging in the Management of Stent Thrombosis.

Objectives: Use of intracoronary imaging (ICI) in cases of stent thrombosis (ST) is recommended and tailored treatment appears reasonable. Nevertheless, data supporting such a strategy are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of ICI in the management of ST. Methods: The unadjusted study population was consecutive patients with definite ST presenting in a single tertiary cardiac centre and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The presumed major mechanism of ST was assigned according to the real-time ICI interpretation by the PCI operator. Propensity score matching was performed with regard to ICI use to form the adjusted population and Kaplan-Meier analysis was applied to compare survival free of cardiac death (CD) or target lesion revascularization (TLR). Results: The unadjusted population included 130 ST patients, with the majority presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (88%) and very late ST (86%). ICI was performed in 45 patients, of whom optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed in 30 cases. When the individual ST mechanisms were viewed as groups, there was an interaction observed between type of treatment (stent vs. non-stent) and ST mechanism, with non-stent treatment being more prevalent in cases of underexpansion, malapposition, in-stent restenosis and mechanism uncertainty. After application of matching, two groups of 30 patients were formed. ICI-guided management resulted in better survival free of CD-TLR at 2 years (93% vs. 73%, p = 0.037). Conclusions: Intracoronary imaging guidance during PCI for ST had a direct impact on management (stent vs. non-stent) and resulted in a lower event rate at mid-term follow-up when propensity matched analysis was applied.

Abstract We079: Program Macrophage Phenotypes and Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction with Interleukin-10

Introduction: Macrophages (Mφ) and their phenotypic polarization play essential roles in modulating cardiac inflammation and recovery after myocardial infarction (MI). Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent immunomodulatory cytokine that directs Mφ polarization to beneficial reparative phenotypes and is widely investigated in diseases involving extensive inflammation. However, high-dose IL-10 treatment may not lead to the expected therapeutic outcome, raising the question of whether IL-10 has dose-dependent effects on Mφ polarization and cardiac remodeling post-MI. Hypothesis: IL-10 can program Mφ phenotypes under inflammation and has functional impact in cardiac remodeling post-MI in dose-dependent manner. Goals: We use RAW264.7 Mφ and mouse permanent MI models to test our hypothesis. Approach: We applied 25-1000 ng/mL IL-10 in vitro before or after inducing M1 (with interferon-g) and M2 (with interleukin-4) polarization for pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, respectively. We intramyocardially administered 25-2000 ng IL-10 in vivo immediately after inducing MI and examined cardiac function, inflammatory responses, fibrosis and revascularization for 6 weeks (n=5/group). Results: IL-10 at 100-250 ng/mL directed Mφ phenotype shift from M1 to M2 most effectively after inducing polarization in vitro (both p <0.01); groups with ≥500 ng/mL IL-10 exhibited high M1/low M2 phenotypes, similar to no IL-10 controls. Cells treated with ≥100 ng/mL IL-10 before polarization exhibited a notable reduction in M1 phenotype after induction (all p <0.05). Echocardiography showed that with single IL-10 administration, only 250 ng IL-10 notaly improved left ventricular (LV) function and reduced LV chamber size compared with the saline control ( p <0.05) whilst ≥1000 ng caused a transient negative impact in LV function at 5 days post-MI ( p <0.05), Phagocyte infiltration at MI was notably diminished in ≥100 ng groups at 6 weeks post-MI (all p <0.05). Only 250 ng IL-10 led to a notable 53% reduction in LV fibrosis ( p =0.05) and nearly 200% increase in CD31+ cell counts at MI ( p =0.013). Conclusion: Our results suggest an optimal range of IL-10 doses for macrophage polarization and cardiac benefits post-MI, with risks of side effects from IL-10 overdose.

Four Year Validation of Intermountain’s PET/CT Risk Scores for 90-Day and 1-Year Major Adverse Cardiac Events and Revascularization Shows High Predictability of the Scores

Four Year Validation of Intermountain’s PET/CT Risk Scores for 90-Day and 1-Year Major Adverse Cardiac Events and Revascularization Shows High Predictability of the Scores

Predictors of target lesion failure after percutaneous coronary intervention with a drug-coated balloon for de novo lesions.

There are limited data about determinant factors of target lesion failure (TLF) in lesions after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a drug-coated balloon (DCB) for de novo coronary artery lesions, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. The present study aims to investigate the associated factors of TLF in de novo coronary artery lesions with DCB treatment. We retrospectively enrolled 328 de novo coronary artery lesions in 328 patients who had undergone PCI with a DCB. All lesions had been treated without a stent, and both pre- and post-PCI OCT had been carried out. Patients were divided into two groups, with or without TLF, which was defined as a composite of culprit lesion-related cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularisation, and the associated factors of TLF were assessed. At the median follow-up period of 460 days, TLF events occurred in 31 patients (9.5%) and were associated with patients requiring haemodialysis (HD; 29.0% vs 10.8%), with a severely calcified lesion (median maximum calcium arc 215° vs 104°), and with the absence of OCT medial dissection (16.1% vs 60.9%) as opposed to those without TLF events. In Cox multivariable logistic regression analysis, HD (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-5.11; p=0.049), maximum calcium arc (per 90°, HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05-1.72; p=0.02), and the absence of post-PCI medial dissection on OCT (HR: 8.24, 95% CI: 3.15-21.6; p<0.001) were independently associated with TLF. In de novo coronary artery lesions that received DCB treatment, factors associated with TLF were being on HD, the presence of a severely calcified lesion, and the absence of post-PCI medial dissection.

Current applications, procedural and 1-year outcomes of Rotatripsy for the treatment of calcified coronary lesions.

Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) combined with rotational atherectomy (RA), known as Rotatripsy, is used to treat severe coronary artery calcification (CAC), though data on efficacy, midterm safety and use sequence is limited. We aimed to identify indicators for Rotatripsy use and to assess its safety and success rates, both acutely and at 1-year follow-up. Patients undergoing Rotatripsy for severe CAC across six centers from May 2019 to December 2023 were included. Demographic, clinical, procedural and follow-up data were collected. Efficacy endpoints included device success (delivery of the RA-burr and IVL-balloon across the target lesion and administration of therapy without related complications), technical success (TIMI 3 flow and residual stenosis <30% by quantitative coronary analysis) and procedural success [composite of technical success with absence of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: cardiac death, myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization). Safety endpoints comprised Rotatripsy-related complications and MACE at 1-year follow-up. A total of 114 patients (75 ± 9 years, 78% male) underwent Rotatripsy for 120 lesions. In the majority of procedures RA was followed by IVL, mostly electively (n = 68, 57%) but also for balloon underexpansion (n = 37, 31%) and stent crossing failure (n = 1, 1%). Diverse and complex target lesions were addressed with an average SYNTAX score of 24.6 ± 13.0. Device, technical and procedural success were 97%, 94% and 93%, respectively. Therapy-related complications included two (2%) coronary perforations, one (1%) coronary dissection and one (1%) burr entrapment. At 1-year follow-up(present in 77(67%) patients), MACE occurred in 7(9%) cases. Over a 1-year follow-up period, Rotatripsy was safe and effective, predominantly using RA electively before IVL.

Long-term results of endovascular treatment of patients with coronary heart disease using various PCI technologies

Objective: the effectiveness and safety of endovascular treatment of coronary artery disease in coronary artery disease using various technologies of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was evaluated — implantation of drug-coated metal stents, implantation of bioresorbable stenting scaffolds, the use of drug-coated coronary balloon catheters in the long- term period, 10 years after PCI.Materials and methods: data obtained from 324 patients with coronary heart disease after PCI using the previously mentioned treatment methods. The endpoint was the loss of the target vessel lumen (TLF), a combination of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization associated with the target vessel.Results: the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease using implantation of drug-coated metal stents, bioresorbable stenting scaffolds or drug-coated coronary balloon catheters is safe and has low rates of cardiac mortality, myocardial infarction and revascularization of the target vessel in the long term. In cases where implantation of stents or scaffolds was contraindicated or impossible due to the small diameter of the artery, diffuse extended lesion and high risk of restenosis, angioplasty with a coronary balloon catheter with an antiproliferative drug coating takes place, showing positive long-term results.

Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARBs) on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery is equivocal. This retrospective, population-based cohort study evaluated effect of exposure to an ACEI/ARB on MACE using linked administrative databases that included all cardiac revascularization procedures, hospitalizations, and prescriptions for the population of British Columbia, Canada. All adults who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery between 2002 and 2020 were eligible. The primary outcome was time to MACE, defined as a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke using Cox proportional hazards models with inverse probability treatment weighting. Included were 15 439 patients and 6191 (40%) were prescribed an ACEI/ARB. Mean age was 66 years, 83% were men, and 16% had heart failure (HF). Median exposure time was 40 months. Over the 5-year follow-up, 1623 MACE occurred. Impact of exposure was different for patients with and without HF (P <0.0001 for interaction). After probability-weighting and adjustment for relevant covariates, exposure to ACEI/ARBs was associated with a lower hazard of MACE in patients with HF at 1 year (hazard ratio, 0.13 [95% CI, 0.09-0.19]) and 5 years (hazard ratio, 0.36 [95% CI, 0.30-0.44]). In patients without HF, ACEI/ARBs had a lower hazard of MACE at 1 year (hazard ratio, 0.35 [95% CI, 0.27-0.46]) and 5 years (hazard ratio, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.58-0.76]). In this population-based study, ACEI/ARBs were associated with a lower hazard of MACE in a cohort of patients post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery irrespective of HF status.

Effects of different surgical strategies and left ventricular remodelling on the outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Ischaemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) caused by coronary artery disease accounts for the largest proportion of heart failure cases with the worst prognosis. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most effective treatment for ischaemic HFrEF. On-pump and off-pump are the two surgical methods used for CABG. Whether patients with HFrEF should undergo on- or off-pump CABG is controversial in coronary heart disease surgery. The left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVSEVI) is the gold standard for evaluating the severity of left ventricular remodelling; however, its effect on the perioperative risk and long-term survival rate of patients with HFrEF undergoing CABG remains unclear. This single centre prospective cohort analysis included 118 coronary heart disease patients with symptoms and signs of heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <40% who were enrolled consecutively from January 2019 to December 2023. Operative mortality, perioperative complications, and long-term survival were compared among patients treated with various LVESVIs and surgical methods. The primary outcomes were cardiac death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and revascularization, (percutaneous coronary intervention or redo CABG) with a median follow-up of 38 ± 10 months. The 30-day postoperative mortality of 118 patients was 6.8%. Patients in the off-pump group had significantly higher perioperative mortality than those in the on-pump group (12.5% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.03). In the off-pump group, a higher proportion of patients required perioperative mechanical assistance, such as intra-aortic artery balloon pump (IABP) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), compared to those in the on-pump group (IABP: 75% vs. 47.4%, p = 0.004; ECMO: 22.5% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.000). Patients in the off-pump group were more likely to have postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) (35% vs. 14.1%, p = 0.01). In the on-pump group, the incidence of postoperative AF (25% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.02) and IABP use (62.5% vs. 36.9%, p = 0.03) were significantly higher in patients with more severe left ventricular remodelling than in those with less severe left ventricular remodelling. In the off-pump group, patients with more severe left ventricular remodelling had higher ECMO usage (38.9% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.04), incidence of postoperative AF (61.1% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.02), and perioperative mortality (22.2%). Major adverse cardiac event (MACE)-free survival rate was significantly higher in the on-pump group than in the off-pump group, and there was no significant difference in MACE free survival rates between the two groups of patients with different degrees of left ventricular remodelling. On-pump bypass is a better surgical procedure for patients with ischaemic HFrEF, especially those with severe left ventricular remodelling. Left ventricular remodelling increases perioperative mortality but has no effect on long-term survival.

Association between Lipoprotein(a) concentration and adverse cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease: An observational cohort study

This prospective study investigated the association between lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels and adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary artery disease. Among 600 patients, 79.16 % were male. Kaplan Meier analysis revealed significantly higher incidence rates of cardiac death, major adverse cardiac events, myocardial infarction, revascularization and stroke in patients with elevated Lp(a) (≥30 mg/dL). The Cox Regression model identified Lp(a) ≥30 mg/dL as a significant risk factor for adverse events (HR: 4.2920; 95%CI: 2.58–7.120; p < 0.05). Elevated Lp(a) levels were associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiac events in coronary artery disease patients undergoing PCI.

Exploring the interactions between cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells to induce cardiac revascularization and regeneration

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background The adult heart is unable to regenerate after ischemic injury, primarily due to the incapacity of cardiomyocyte (CM) to re-enter in the cell cycle and endothelial cells (EC) to form new vessels. Interestingly, our recent data have unveiled that the decline of CM proliferation after birth is paralleled by a reduction in angiogenic potential. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms governing angiogenesis inhibition in the adult heart remain elusive. We hypothesize that the terminal differentiation of CMs after birth leads to the paracrine suppression of EC proliferation. Purpose This study aims to identify membrane or secreted factors produced by adult CMs that inhibit EC proliferation and vessel formation in order to create new therapeutic strategies to induce cardiac revascularization and regeneration. Material and Methods To validate our hypothesis, ECs were co-cultured with CMs at distinct differentiation stages. Leveraging existing RNA sequencing datasets, we generated an interactome between ligands produced by CMs and receptors expressed by cardiac ECs. Through gain and loss of function studies, we identified pivotal anti-angiogenic factors and subsequently knocked-out the corresponding genes in Cas9 mice, with the aim of rescue the angiogenic potential of the adult heart. Concurrently, we assessed the ability of miR199a, a pro-proliferative miRNA known for inducing CM de-differentiation, to elicit EC proliferation and angiogenesis when delivered to the adult heart together with VEGF-A, utilizing adeno-associated viral vectors. Results Our findings revealed that adult CMs impaired EC proliferation. Comprehensive analysis identified 20 membrane and secreted factors, establishing 118 ligand-receptor interactions between CMs and ECs. Notably, KCNJ11 and CD74 emerged as key factors, as validated through gain and loss of function experiments. In vivo knockout of these genes in CMs led to significant increase in EC proliferation and the formation of neo-vessels. Furthermore, CM de-differentiation induced by miR199a demonstrated the capacity to promote EC proliferation and neo-vessel formation upon VEGF-A stimulation. Conclusions Collectively, this work demonstrated that fully mature CMs have a role in limiting angiogenic potential of the adult heart, likely explaining the failure of therapeutic angiogenesis approaches attempted so far. Our results suggest that innovative strategies targeting CM-EC cross-talk or inducing partial CM de-differentiation may open new therapeutic avenues in the field of cardiac regeneration.Adult CMs inhibit EC proliferationCMdedifferentiation rescues angiogenesis

Prognostic role of serum albumin levels in patients with chronic heart failure

BackgroundHypoalbuminemia is common in heart failure (HF) patients; however, there are no data regarding the possible long-term prognostic role of serum albumin (SA) in the younger population with chronic HF without malnutrition. The aim of this study was to examine the long-term prognostic role of SA levels in predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in middle-aged outpatients with chronic HF.MethodsIn the present retrospective analysis, 378 subjects with HF were enrolled. MACE (non-fatal ischemic stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, cardiac revascularization or coronary bypass surgery, and cardiovascular death), total mortality, and HF hospitalizations (hHF) occurrence were evaluated during a median follow-up of 6.1 years.ResultsIn all population, 152 patients had a SA value < 3.5 g/dL and 226 had a SA value ≥ 3.5 g/dL. In patients with SA ≥ 3.5 g/dL, the observed MACE were 2.1 events/100 patient-year; while in the group with a worse SA levels, there were 7.0 events/100 patient-year (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis model confirmed that low levels of SA increase the risk of MACE by a factor of 3.1. In addition, the presence of ischemic heart disease, serum uric acid levels > 6.0 mg/dL, chronic kidney disease, and a 10-year age rise, increased the risk of MACE in study participants. Finally, patients with SA < 3.5 g/dl had a higher incidence of hHF (p < 0.001) and total mortality (p < 0.001) than patients with SA ≥ 3.5 g/dl.ConclusionsPatients with chronic HF that exhibits low SA levels show a higher risk of MACE, hHF and total mortality.

Percutaneous Coronary Interventions with Sirolimus-Eluting Alex Plus Stents in Patients with or without Diabetes: 4-Year Results.

We characterized the performance, as well as the safety, of a second-generation thin-strut sirolimus-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer, Alex Plus (Balton, Poland), implanted in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM) with a 4-year follow-up. We defined the primary endpoint as the 48-month rate of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE), including cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary endpoints were all-cause death, cardiac death, MI, and TLR rates at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. We enrolled 232 patients in whom 282 stents were implanted, including 97 DM and 135 non-DM patients. The mean age of the DM patients was 69.5 ± 10.1 years and females accounted for 30% of the patients. DM patients had higher rates of arterial hypertension (97% vs. 88%, p = 0.016), dyslipidemia (86% vs. 70%, p = 0.005), prior MI (61% vs. 40%, p = 0.002), prior PCI (65% vs. 50%, p = 0.020), and prior CABG (14% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.029). We recorded statistically significant differences for MACE (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.01-3.41, p = 0.046), cardiac death (HR 4.46, 95% CI 1.44-13.8, p = 0.010), and MI (HR 3.17, 95% CI 1.10-9.12, p = 0.033), but not for TLR, between DM and non-DM patients in terms of the analyzed endpoints at 4 years. Our study showed that Alex Plus was efficient and safe in a contemporary cohort of real-world DM patients undergoing percutaneous revascularization.

Defining the miRnome of Saphenous Vein Smooth Muscle Cells from Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients suffer premature development of cardiovascular disease and commonly require cardiac revascularization using the autologous saphenous vein (SV). Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the principal cell type within the vascular wall and are dysfunctional in T2DM SV-SMCs, yet the mechanisms underpinning this are incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to interrogate differential microRNA (miRNA) expression in SV-SMCs to enhance our understanding of T2DM SV-SMC phenotypic change. miRNA expression in primary human SV-SMCs from T2DM and non-diabetic (ND) donors was determined using an array (n = 6 each of ND and T2DM SV-SMCs). Differentially expressed miRNAs were ranked, and functional annotation of the 30 most differentially expressed miRNAs using DAVID and KEGG analysis revealed pathways related to SMC phenotype, including proliferation, migration, cytokine production and cell signaling. After selecting miRNAs known to be involved in SMC phenotypic regulation, miR-17, miR-29b-2, miR-31, miR-130b and miR-491 were further validated using qRT-PCR (n = 5 each of ND and T2DM SV-SMC), with miR-29b-2 subsequently being removed from further investigation. Potential mRNA targets were identified using mirDIP. Predicted target analysis highlighted likely dysregulation in transcription, epigenetic regulation, cell survival, intracellular signaling and cytoskeletal regulation, all of which are known to be dysfunctional in T2DM SV-SMCs. In conclusion, this paper identified four miRNAs that are dysregulated in T2DM SV-SMCs and are implicated in functional changes in the behavior of these cells. This provides a step forward in our understanding of the molecular and epigenetic regulation of vascular dysfunction in T2DM.

Syndromes coronaires aigus au cours du diabète : étude comparative entre patients diabétiques et non diabétiques en milieu urbain sénégalais

IntroductionDiabetes Mellitus is a strong cardiovascular risk factor in which acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are thought to have a particular feature. We aimed to determine the characteristics of acute coronary syndromes in diabetics compared with non-diabetics patients. Patients and methodsWe carried out a prospective, descriptive and analytical study comparing diabetic and non-diabetic patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome to the cardiology department of Idrissa Pouye general hospital over a period of one year by studying socio-demographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary parameters. We performed a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with chest pain and triple vessels disease. ResultsOur study included 139 patients, 61 with diabetes (44%) and 78 without diabetes (56%). Among diabetics, there was a predominance of women (p = 0.0001) in contrast to non-diabetics. The mean age was 62.7 ± 10.8 years in diabetics and 56.9 ± 13.5 years in non-diabetics (p = 0.006). Chest pain was found in 88.5% of diabetics and 97.4% of non-diabetics (p = 0.03). The mean HbA1c in diabetics was 9.4 ± 3.3%. ST elevation acute coronary syndrome was predominant in both groups. The mean GRACE score was 147 ± 29 in diabetics and 132 ± 28 in non-diabetics (p = 0.003). In multivariable analysis, only diabetes was associated with triple vessels disease (aOR (IC à 95%): 2,60 (1.29–6.83); p = 0.042). A total of 31% of diabetics and 43% of nondiabetics undergoes cardiac revascularization. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of complications. The mortality was 6.6% and 3.8% respectively among diabetics and non-diabetics (p = 0.49). ConclusionAccording to our study, diabetes is frequently encountered during acute coronary syndromes. It also shows that diabetics are more likely to be female and older, with more atypical symptoms and more severe coronary disease.

The Randomized, Multicenter, Open-Label, Controlled POLBOS 3 Trial Comparing Regular Drug-Eluting Stents and the Sirolimus-Eluting BiOSS LIM C Dedicated Coronary Bifurcation Stent: Four-Year Results.

This multicenter, randomized study aimed to compare the sirolimus-eluting BiOSS LIM C dedicated coronary bifurcation stent with second-generation -limus drug-eluting stents (rDESs) in the treatment of non-left main (non-LM) coronary bifurcation. The deployment of a single stent in the main vessel-main branch across a side branch was the default strategy in all patients. The primary endpoint was the rate of major cardiovascular events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization) at 48 months. We enrolled 230 patients, allocating 116 patients to the BiOSS LIM C group and 114 patients to the rDES group. Most procedures were elective (BiOSS vs. rDES: 48.3% vs. 59.6%, p = 0.09) and performed in bifurcations within the left anterior descending/diagonal branch (BiOSS vs. rDES: 51.7% vs. 61.4%, p = 0.15). At 48 months, there were no statistically significant differences between the BiOSS and rDES groups in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR) as follows: MACEs-18.1% vs. 14.9%, HR 1.36, 95% CI 0.62-2.22, and p = 0.33; cardiac death-4.3% vs. 3.5%, HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.33-4.56, and p = 0.75; MI-2.6% vs. 3.5%, HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.17-3.23, and p = 0.68; and TLR-11.2% vs. 7.9%, HR 1.66, 95% CI 0.75-3.71, and p = 0.21. The implantation success rate of the BiOSS LIM C stent was very high, and the cumulative MACE rates were promising. The POLBOS 3 trial sets an important benchmark for treating non-LM coronary bifurcations (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03548272).

Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy Effectiveness and Safety in a Real-World Cohort.

Background: Coronary artery calcification is a predictor of adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a promising tool for the treatment of calcified lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of IVL. Methods: A single-center observational study of PCI procedure, with assessment of the outcomes of patients undergoing PCI using IVL, was performed. Angiographic procedural success was used as the primary effectiveness endpoint. The primary safety endpoint was defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization within 30 days. Results: A total of 111 patients were included. Indications for PCI spanned the spectrum of chronic (53.2%) and acute coronary syndromes (43%). Lesion preparation before IVL was performed with non-compliant (42%), cutting or OPN (14.4%) balloons and with atherectomy techniques in 11% of procedures. Intravascular imaging was used in 21.6% of procedures. The primary effectiveness endpoint was achieved in 100% and the primary safety endpoint in 3.6% of procedures. Peri-procedural complications were minimal and successfully resolved. Conclusions: IVL was an effective and safe technique for the treatment of calcified coronary lesions. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of IVL in the management of these challenging scenarios.

Salvage free flap reconstruction of deep sternal wound infections post coronary artery bypass: a case series

The authors present cases of sternal reconstruction using the right internal mammary artery and vein as recipient vessels when the left IMA has been used for cardiac revascularisation.

Effect of on-Pump and Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft on Length of Icu Stay among Low Ejection Fraction Patients Going through Cardiac Revascularization

Background Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) remains a cornerstone in the management of coronary artery disease, especially for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. The debate between on-pump and off-pump CABG techniques centers on their impact on postoperative outcomes, particularly the length of ICU stay, which has significant implications for patient recovery and healthcare resources. Objective This study aimed to compare the effects of on-pump and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting on the length of ICU stay among patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction undergoing cardiac revascularization, with a view to optimizing postoperative outcomes and resource utilization in this high-risk patient population. Methods A longitudinal cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 78 participants scheduled for CABG at a single center over one year. Participants were divided into two groups: those undergoing on-pump CABG (n=44) and those undergoing off-pump CABG (n=34). Data collection focused on demographic information, clinical characteristics, and the length of ICU stay. Statistical analysis employed SPSS v25, utilizing means, standard deviations, and Independent t-tests to compare outcomes between the two groups. Results The study revealed that patients undergoing on-pump CABG had a significantly shorter mean ICU stay (4 ± 3.9 days) compared to the off-pump CABG group (5 ± 4.4 days), with a P value of 0.01. Further stratification showed that older patients and those with comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension experienced longer ICU stays, irrespective of the surgical technique used. Conclusion On-pump CABG is associated with shorter ICU stays compared to off-pump CABG in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction, suggesting that the on-pump technique may be preferable for optimizing postoperative recovery and resource allocation in this patient cohort.

Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle Value and Prolongations of PR and Corrected QT Intervals in Patients Undergoing Dialysis

Introduction: Phase angle value, derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis, represents the body cell mass and nutritional status of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Although the phase angle value has clinical significance in these patients, its relationship with electrocardiogram (ECG), another clinically relevant bioelectrical examination, has not yet been well clarified. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-four patients undergoing dialysis (80 females and 144 males; mean ± SD, 72.2 ± 12.0 years old; 117 diabetic and 107 nondiabetic patients) were studied retrospectively. Multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed immediately after the end of dialysis therapy. The phase shift was geometrically converted into a phase angle value. The ECG was recorded simultaneously, and the upper limits of the PR interval, QRS width, and corrected QT interval (QTc) were set at 0.20, 0.12, and 0.44 s, respectively. The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), a representative nutritional index, was also determined. In addition, we examined the incidence of cardiac events, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiac revascularization procedure, cardiac arrhythmia, and cardiac death, or all-cause death. Results: Of 224 patients undergoing dialysis, the prolongation of the PR interval, QRS width, and QTc was found in 30.7, 17.4, and 62.1%, respectively. The prevalence of QTc prolongation was higher in females and diabetic patients than in males and nondiabetic patients. An inverse relationship between phase angle value and QTc was observed only in males and nondiabetic patients. The relationships of GNRI both with phase angle value and QTc were stronger in males and nondiabetic patients. In addition, PR interval was inversely correlated with a phase angle value only in nondiabetic patients. No significant correlation was found between phase angle value and QRS width. Five-year survival probability for the composite endpoints was significantly worse in patients with lower phase angle values. QTc prolongation was associated with survival in males and nondiabetic patients. Prolonged PR was associated with survival in nondiabetic patients. Discussion: Relationships between phase angle value and ECG findings were demonstrated in patients undergoing dialysis, especially in males and nondiabetic patients. Although the phase angle value has been considered as an index for evaluating nutritional status, another clinical application of phase angle value in predicting cardiac complications seems to be useful.