In-hospital Revascularization Research Articles

Disparities in Management Patterns and Outcomes of Patients With Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome With and Without a History of Cerebrovascular Disease

Cerebrovascular (CVD) disease is commonly associated with coronary artery disease and adversely affects outcome. The goal of the present study was to examine the temporal management patterns and outcomes in relation to previous CVD in a contemporary "real-world" spectrum of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). From 1999 to 2008, 14,070 patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS were recruited into the Canadian Acute Coronary Syndrome I (ACS I), ACS II, Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE/GRACE(2)), and Canadian Registry of Acute Coronary Events (CANRACE) prospective multicenter registries. We stratified the study patients according to a history of CVD and compared their treatment and outcomes. Patients with a history of CVD were older, more likely to have pre-existing coronary artery disease, elevated creatinine, higher Killip class, and ST-segment deviation on admission. Despite presenting with greater GRACE risk scores (137 vs 117, p <0.001), patients with previous CVD were less likely to receive evidence-based antiplatelet and antithrombin therapies during the initial 24 hours of hospital admission. They were also less likely to undergo in-hospital coronary angiography and revascularization. These disparities in medical and invasive management were preserved temporally across all 4 registries. Patients with concomitant CVD had worse in-hospital outcomes. Previous CVD remained an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.92, p = 0.019) after adjusting for other powerful prognosticators in the GRACE risk score. However, it was independently associated with a lower use of in-hospital coronary angiography (adjusted odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.83, p <0.001). Underestimation of patient risk was the most common reason for not pursuing an invasive strategy. Revascularization was independently associated with lower 1-year mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 0.71, p <0.001), irrespective of a history of CVD. In conclusion, for patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation-ACS, a history of CVD was independently associated with worse outcomes, which might have been, in part, because of the underuse of evidence-based medical and invasive therapies.

Complex Radial Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Using the Sheathless Eaucath

Background: Use of a sheathless guide catheter has the potential to overcome the obstacle of the relatively small radial artery lumen and expand the type of cases where a transradial approach for PCI canbeutilised.We report our initial experience with the recently developed sheathless Eaucath (Asahi Intecc Co, Japan). Methods: All patients who underwent PCI using the sheathless Eaucath at Wellington Regional Hospital between February 2009 and February 2010 were included in our study. All procedures were performed via radial access. There were no exclusion criteria. Data was obtained form a retrospective review of the cardiac catheterisation database and medical records. Results: Forty-two patients were included. Of these 32 (80%) presented with acute coronary syndromes. Primary PCI was performed in 6 and rescue PCI in 3 patients. Intervention was performed on a total of 52 lesions. The majority of lesions were complex (79% type B2 or C). Bifurcation lesions were treated in 50% and chronic total occlusions in 4.8% of patients. Adjunctive devices including rotablation, IVUS and 6 or 7 Fr thrombus aspiration catheters were used in 33% of patients. Angiographic success was achieved in 100%. Two patients suffered peri-procedural non-ST elevation myocardial infarctions. There was no in-hospital target vessel revascularisation or death. Thirty dayMACEwas 9.5%. Importantly, therewere no complications related to use of the sheathless Eaucath apart from 2 minor haematomas. Conclusion: Use of the sheathless Eaucath is safe and allows complex interventions to be undertaken transradially with a high success rate.

Racial Disparities in Revascularization Rates Among Patients With Similar Insurance Coverage

Racial disparities in coronary revascularization--percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)--have been extensively documented. However, it is unclear whether disparities are consistent among patients with similar health insurance coverage. Our objective was to assess racial disparities in coronary revascularization among white, black, and Hispanic patients with similar insurance coverage hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We used 2000-2005 state inpatient data for 9 states to identify white, black, and Hispanic patients hospitalized with AMI. Patients were grouped into 3 health insurance cohorts: (1) Medicare, (2) private insurance, and (3) Medicaid/uninsured. We examined use of revascularization (PCI or CABG) among blacks and Hispanics as compared to whites in each of the 3 insurance cohorts. The 418 study hospitals admitted 430509 AMI patients with Medicare, 238956 with private insurance, and 74926 patients who were uninsured/Medicaid. In unadjusted analyses, black and Hispanic patients were significantly less likely to receive in-hospital revascularization among the Medicare cohort (38.9% vs 44.9% vs 47.3%, P < .001), privately insured cohort (62.9% vs 69.7% vs 74.2%, P < .001), and uninsured/Medicaid cohort (55.2% vs 61.0% vs 68.4%, P <.001). In Cox models adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidity, and clustering of patients within hospitals, blacks were approximately 25% less likely and Hispanics 5% less likely to receive revascularization as compared to whites with similar insurance. Blacks hospitalized with AMI are significantly less likely to receive revascularization when compared to whites and Hispanics with similar health insurance. Our data suggest that patients' ability to pay for costly procedures is unlikely to explain racial disparities.

The pharmaco-invasive approach to STEMI: when should fibrinolytic-treated patients go to the “cath lab”?

Although primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in clinical trials has lower rates of reinfarction, stroke and mortality than fibrinolytic therapy, because of system delays in routine practice, field triage and...

Long‐Term Survival and Outcomes After Hospitalization for Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiogenic shock is the leading cause of death during hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (MI). However, little data exist regarding the long-term outcomes of patients who survived the acute phase of MI and were discharged from the hospital. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 81 consecutive patients referred for management of acute MI and cardiogenic shock to analyze their in-hospital and long-term outcomes. Mean systemic systolic and central venous pressures at presentation were 74 +/- 15 and 17 +/- 7 mm Hg, respectively. Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) was implemented in all patients for a mean of 88 +/- 83 hours. Thrombolytics were administered in 49% and mechanical ventilation applied in 46% of patients. Primary angioplasty could not be performed in any patient, while 17 patients later underwent myocardial revascularization during hospitalization. There were 37 in-hospital survivors (45.7%). The 1-year survival after discharge from the hospital was 87.6% in the overall population, versus 100% among patients who underwent in-hospital myocardial revascularization, versus 78.9% among nonrevascularized patients (p = 0.079). Over a mean follow-up of 85 +/- 47 mo, survival after discharge from the index hospitalization was 44.9% in the overall population, versus 56.2% among revascularized patients, versus 36.4% among nonrevascularized patients (p = 0.277). Heart failure developed in 51.6% of patients who were discharged from the hospital. In this single center analysis, the long-term survival after acute MI complicated by cardiogenic shock was high with nearly 50% of patients surviving free from heart failure.

Influence of coronary angiography on the utilization of therapies in patients with acute heart failure syndromes: Findings from Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure (OPTIMIZE-HF)

Most patients hospitalized for acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) carry a diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD), but coronary angiography is infrequently performed. This purpose of this study was to determine the influence of coronary angiography on use of therapeutics and early postdischarge outcomes in patients with AHFS. The Organized Program to Initiate Lifesaving Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure program enrolled 48,612 patients admitted with AHFS at 259 academic and community hospitals throughout the United States Inhospital treatments and outcomes were tracked in all patients and postdischarge outcomes in a prespecified 10% sample. Outcome data were prospectively collected and analyzed according to whether coronary angiography was performed during the index hospitalization and whether a patient had CAD. Overall, 8.7% of all patients underwent inhospital angiography. Among patients with CAD who underwent angiography, 27.5% underwent inhospital myocardial revascularization. At the time of discharge, patients with CAD who underwent angiography were significantly more likely to be receiving aspirin (68.9% vs 50.3%, P < .0001), statins (56.6% vs 40.6%, P < .0001), beta-blockers (78.6% vs 67.5%, P < .0001), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (64.9% vs 51.5%, P < .0001). In patients with AHFS and CAD, the use of inhospital angiography was associated with significantly lower mortality and rehospitalization risk in the first 60 to 90 days post hospital discharge after adjustment for multiple comorbidities and patient factors: mortality (HR 0.31 [95% CI 0.14-0.70], P = .004) and death or rehospitalization (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.50-0.86], P = .003). There were no significant differences in any of these outcomes in patients with AHFS and a nonischemic etiology based the performance of inhospital angiography. The performance of inhospital angiography on patients with AHFS and CAD is associated with an increased use of aspirin, statins, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and myocardial revascularization. This corresponded with significantly lower rates of death, rehospitalization, and death or rehospitalization at 60 to 90 days post discharge.

Influence of Age on Use of Cardiac Catheterization and Associated Outcomes in Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes

Randomized controlled trials support the use of an early invasive strategy in high-risk patients with non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Although risk increases with age, limited data are available to support this strategy in older patients. The aims of this study were to examine temporal trends in the management and outcomes of NSTE ACS in elderly patients and to explore reasons for the lower use of early angiography in the aged population. Data from 11,732 patients with NSTE ACS were collected from 3 consecutive Canadian registries (ACS I, ACS II, and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events [GRACE]/GRACE2) from 1999 to 2007. Rates of in-hospital cardiac catheterization, revascularization, infarction or reinfarction, and death were stratified by age (<65, 65 to 74, and > or = 75 years). Although overall, rates of in-hospital catheterization and revascularization increased over time (p <0.001), the largest increase occurred in patients aged <65 years. The strongest independent negative predictor of the use of cardiac catheterization was age > or = 75 years (adjusted odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.56, p <0.001). Use of an early invasive approach was associated with a reduction in 1-year mortality across all age groups, but the absolute difference was greatest in patients aged > or = 75 years. The underestimation of risk by physicians (ascertained in ACS II) was the most common reason for choosing a conservative strategy. In conclusion, despite an overall increased use of an early invasive strategy, elderly patients with NSTE ACS remain significantly less likely to undergo cardiac catheterization and revascularization and are often erroneously perceived to be at low risk by their physicians. Future studies should determine whether more aggressive treatment of these high-risk elderly patients improves outcomes.

Efficacy of Coronary Revascularization in Patients With Acute Chest Pain Managed in a Chest Pain Unit

OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety of discharge of patients deemed at low risk of cardiac events after evaluation in a chest pain unit and to determine the prognostic effect of revascularization of patients deemed at high risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study population consisted of 1088 patients presenting at the emergency department from January 15, 2001, to September 1, 2006, with chest pain but without ischemia on electrocardiography or troponin elevation. Patients were managed by a chest pain unit protocol that included early exercise testing. Three groups of patients were distinguished: (1) those discharged after exercise testing (424 [39%]); (2) those in whom unstable angina was ruled out after in-hospital evaluation (208 [19%]); and (3) those in whom unstable angina was confirmed or not ruled out (456 [42%]). Of the 456 patients in group 3, 183 (40%) were revascularized at the index episode. The primary end point was the occurrence of myocardial infarction or death within 1 year. Adjustments were made for patient characteristics and a propensity score for revascularization (c statistic [0.83]). RESULTS Groups 1 and 2 showed lower rates of the primary end point than group 3 (group 1: 7 [1.7%]; group 2: 1 [0.5%]; group 3: 62 [13.6%]; P=.001). In group 3, revascularization at the index episode did not reduce the primary end point in the univariate (22 [12%] vs 29 [11%]; P=.80) and multivariate (hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-2.5; P=.40) analyses. In-hospital revascularization decreased the need for postdischarge revascularization (hazard ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.7; P=.01). CONCLUSION Chest pain unit protocols are associated with safe patient discharge. Although early revascularizations may decrease the need for postdischarge revascularizations, they may not improve 1-year outcomes by reducing the number of myocardial infarctions or deaths. To investigate the safety of discharge of patients deemed at low risk of cardiac events after evaluation in a chest pain unit and to determine the prognostic effect of revascularization of patients deemed at high risk. The study population consisted of 1088 patients presenting at the emergency department from January 15, 2001, to September 1, 2006, with chest pain but without ischemia on electrocardiography or troponin elevation. Patients were managed by a chest pain unit protocol that included early exercise testing. Three groups of patients were distinguished: (1) those discharged after exercise testing (424 [39%]); (2) those in whom unstable angina was ruled out after in-hospital evaluation (208 [19%]); and (3) those in whom unstable angina was confirmed or not ruled out (456 [42%]). Of the 456 patients in group 3, 183 (40%) were revascularized at the index episode. The primary end point was the occurrence of myocardial infarction or death within 1 year. Adjustments were made for patient characteristics and a propensity score for revascularization (c statistic [0.83]). Groups 1 and 2 showed lower rates of the primary end point than group 3 (group 1: 7 [1.7%]; group 2: 1 [0.5%]; group 3: 62 [13.6%]; P=.001). In group 3, revascularization at the index episode did not reduce the primary end point in the univariate (22 [12%] vs 29 [11%]; P=.80) and multivariate (hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-2.5; P=.40) analyses. In-hospital revascularization decreased the need for postdischarge revascularization (hazard ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.7; P=.01). Chest pain unit protocols are associated with safe patient discharge. Although early revascularizations may decrease the need for postdischarge revascularizations, they may not improve 1-year outcomes by reducing the number of myocardial infarctions or deaths.

Efficacy of Coronary Revascularization in Patients With Acute Chest Pain Managed in a Chest Pain Unit

To investigate the safety of discharge of patients deemed at low risk of cardiac events after evaluation in a chest pain unit and to determine the prognostic effect of revascularization of patients deemed at high risk. The study population consisted of 1088 patients presenting at the emergency department from January 15, 2001, to September 1, 2006, with chest pain but without ischemia on electrocardiography or troponin elevation. Patients were managed by a chest pain unit protocol that included early exercise testing. Three groups of patients were distinguished: (1) those discharged after exercise testing (424 [39%]); (2) those in whom unstable angina was ruled out after in-hospital evaluation (208 [19%]); and (3) those in whom unstable angina was confirmed or not ruled out (456 [42%]). Of the 456 patients in group 3, 183 (40%) were revascularized at the index episode. The primary end point was the occurrence of myocardial infarction or death within 1 year. Adjustments were made for patient characteristics and a propensity score for revascularization (c statistic [0.83]). Groups 1 and 2 showed lower rates of the primary end point than group 3 (group 1: 7 [1.7%]; group 2: 1 [0.5%]; group 3: 62 [13.6%]; P=.001). In group 3, revascularization at the index episode did not reduce the primary end point in the univariate (22 [12%] vs 29 [11%]; P=.80) and multivariate (hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-2.5; P=.40) analyses. In-hospital revascularization decreased the need for postdischarge revascularization (hazard ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-0.7; P=.01). Chest pain unit protocols are associated with safe patient discharge. Although early revascularizations may decrease the need for postdischarge revascularizations, they may not improve 1-year outcomes by reducing the number of myocardial infarctions or deaths.

Temporal management patterns and outcomes of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes in patients with kidney dysfunction

To examine: (i) the temporal changes in the management pattern; (ii) the reasons for any treatment disparities; (iii) the relationship between invasive treatment and outcome, among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with vs. without kidney dysfunction. Canadian ACS I, ACS II registries and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) were prospective, multi-centre, observational studies of patients with ACS. From 1999 to 2007, non-ST elevation (NSTE) ACS patients were recruited in ACS I (n = 3295; 1999-2001), ACS II (n = 1956; 2002-2003), and GRACE (n = 6491; 2004-2007) in Canada. Using the four-variable Modified Diet in Renal Disease equation, we stratified the study population (n = 11,377) into three groups based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and examined their treatment and outcome. While in-hospital use of coronary angiography and revascularization increased over time in all groups (P < 0.001), patients with kidney dysfunction were less likely to undergo invasive management (P < 0.001). Unadjusted 1 year mortality was lower among patients receiving in-hospital coronary angiography within all eGFR categories (> or =60 mL/min/1.73 m(2): 2.5 vs. 7.6%, P < 0.001; 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m(2): 8.0 vs. 14.6%, P < 0.001; <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2): 27.5 vs. 41.5%, P = 0.043). In-hospital revascularization was independently associated with lower 1-year mortality (adjusted OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.36-0.77, P = 0.001), irrespective of eGFR (P for heterogeneity = 0.39). Underestimation of patient risk was the most common barrier to an invasive treatment strategy. Despite temporal increases in invasive management of NSTE-ACS, patients with kidney dysfunction are more commonly treated conservatively, with an associated worse outcome. In-hospital revascularization was independently associated with improved survival, irrespective of eGFR. Randomized controlled trials involving patients with kidney dysfunction are needed to confirm whether more aggressive treatment will improve their poor outcome.

Comparison of Treatment and Outcome of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients With Versus Patients Without Diabetes Mellitus

The aim was to evaluate management and outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The EHS-ACS-II was a multinational survey conducted in 2004 that included 6,385 consecutive patients with ACS. The management and outcomes of patients with and without DM were compared. DM was recognized in 1,587 patients (25%) with ACS. Patients with DM had a less favorable risk-factor profile, less typical presentation, and longer delay in seeking medical attention; presented more frequently with arrhythmias, heart failure, renal failure, and major bleeding; and had higher in-hospital and 1-year mortality. They were treated more often with diuretics and inotropic agents and less often with antiaggregants (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and clopidogrel). Insulin was administered to 53% of patients with DM during hospitalization and 31% at discharge. Patients with DM with ST-elevation (STE) myocardial infarction underwent similar primary percutaneous and coronary interventions (but received less thrombolytic therapy). Patients with DM with non-STE ACS underwent less in-hospital revascularization and had significantly higher 1-year mortality. Multivariable analyses showed DM as a predictor of 1-year mortality (odds ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 1.71), but not in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, given the current treatment, patients with and without DM with ACS had similar in-hospital adjusted mortality, but patients with DM had increased 1-year mortality. Patients with DM with non-STE ACS posed a higher risk group.

Prognostic Interactions between Statins and In-Hospital Revascularisation on the Outcome of Acute Coronary Syndrome

To examine if the prognostic benefit of in-hospital revascularisation on survival among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was influenced by the use of statins at the initial hospital discharge. All ACS survivors discharged from Dunedin and Invercargill coronary care units between the years 2000 and 2002 were included. Of the 1057 hospital survivors with ACS (age 64.9+/-12.6 years, 63% male), 481 (45.5%) had in-hospital revascularisation (CABG in 123 patients and PCI in 377, including 19 with both procedures). Statins were prescribed at discharge in 47% of patients without and 73% of patients with revascularisation. Revascularisation was associated with lower mortality up to 5 years of follow-up (hazard ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.20-0.42). After adjusting for baseline differences and the use of statins, the hazard ratio was 0.39 (95% confidence interval 0.27-0.58). While the use of statins was a predictor for long-term survival (p<0.001), no significant interaction was found between the use of statins and in-hospital revascularisation in predicting survival. Both in-hospital revascularisation and the use of statins at hospital discharge independently improved outcome over a follow-up period of 2-5 years. There was no prognostic interaction detected between these two beneficial therapies.

How to manage ischaemic mitral regurgitation

Ischaemic heart disease is becoming an increasingly frequent cause of ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). Three different clinical entities of IMR, which deeply affect the clinical decision making, are distinguishable: the...

Impact of In-Hospital Revascularization on Survival in Patients With Non–ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome and Congestive Heart Failure

Patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome complicated by congestive heart failure (CHF) have a poor prognosis. The aims of this study were to describe the use of revascularization in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome and CHF and to analyze its impact on survival. In the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events, 29 844 patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome were enrolled at 120 hospitals in 14 countries between April 1999 and June 2007; 4953 had CHF at presentation. One fifth of the patients with CHF underwent revascularization versus 35% of those without CHF (P<0.001). Among CHF patients, revascularized patients had lower-risk baseline clinical characteristics than nonrevascularized patients and were more likely to receive evidence-based cardiac medications. Hospital rates were not affected by revascularization (adjusted hazard ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.72 to 1.33, P=0.87). Death from discharge to 6-month follow-up was lower in patients who underwent revascularization than in those who did not (odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.35 to 0.74, P<0.001). This difference persisted after adjustment for GRACE risk score variables, country, and propensity for revascularization (odds ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval 0.40 to 0.85, P=0.005). When revascularization as a time-varying covariate was taken into account in an adjusted Cox regression, the rate of death was again lower in patients undergoing revascularization (hazard ratio 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.93, P=0.02). This observational study suggests a low use of in-hospital revascularization in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome patients with CHF. The consistent reduction in postdischarge death in revascularized patients suggests that broader application of revascularization in this high-risk group may be beneficial.

Diverging associations of an intended early invasive strategy compared with actual revascularization, and outcome in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: the problem of treatment selection bias

In several observational studies, revascularization is associated with substantial reduction in mortality in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (nSTE-ACS). This has strengthened the belief that routine early angiography would lead to a reduction in mortality. We investigated the association between actual in-hospital revascularization and long-term outcome in patients with nSTE-ACS included in the ICTUS trial. The study population of the present analysis consists of ICTUS participants who were discharged alive after initial hospitalization. The ICTUS trial was a randomized, controlled trial in which 1200 patients were randomized to an early invasive or selective invasive strategy. The endpoints were death from hospital discharge until 4 year follow-up and death or spontaneous myocardial infarction (MI) until 3 years. Among 1189 patients discharged alive, 691 (58%) underwent revascularization during initial hospitalization. In multivariable Cox regression analyses, in-hospital revascularization was independently associated with a reduction in 4 year mortality and 3 year event rate of death or spontaneous MI: hazard ratio (HR) 0.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.96] and 0.46 (95% CI 0.31-0.68). However, when intention-to-treat analysis was performed, no differences in cumulative event rates were observed between the early invasive and selective invasive strategies: HR 1.10 (95% CI 0.70-1.74) for death and 1.27 (95% CI 0.88-1.85) for death or spontaneous MI. The ICTUS trial did not show that an early invasive strategy resulted in a better outcome than a selective invasive strategy in patients with nSTE-ACS. However, similar to retrospective analyses from observational studies, actual revascularization was associated with lower mortality and fewer MI. Whether an early invasive strategy leads to a better outcome than a selective invasive strategy cannot be inferred from the observation that revascularized patients have a better prognosis in non-randomized studies.

Prevalence, Predictors, and Impact of Conservative Medical Management for Patients With Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes Who Have Angiographically Documented Significant Coronary Disease

We sought to characterize the utilization and impact of a conservative medical management strategy for patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) and significant coronary artery disease on early angiography. Practice guidelines recommend an early invasive management strategy for NSTE ACS, but revascularization procedures may not always be performed after early angiography, even when significant coronary artery disease is present. We evaluated 8,225 intermediate- to high-risk NSTE ACS patients with at least 1 coronary lesion >50% stenosis on early angiography from the SYNERGY (Superior Yield of the New Strategy of Enoxaparin, Revascularization, and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors) trial (2001 to 2003), comparing patients treated with conservative medical management with those who underwent in-hospital percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) within 7 days of randomization. A total of 2,633 patients (32%) were medically managed, 4,294 (52%) underwent PCI, and 1,298 (16%) underwent CABG. The strongest independent predictors of conservative medical management versus any intervention were prior CABG, lower body weight, lack of a reinfarction between randomization and catheterization, and 3-vessel disease. With conservative medical management, the cumulative risk of 1-year mortality after discharge increased rapidly during the first 90 days and thereafter remained higher at 7.7% compared with that seen in patients treated with PCI (3.6%) or CABG (6.2%). One-third of patients with NSTE ACS and significant coronary disease on early angiography were managed without in-hospital revascularization in the SYNERGY trial, and these patients had an increased risk of late mortality. These findings highlight the need for novel treatment approaches for NSTE ACS patients who are not candidates for revascularization. (SYNERGY trial; NCT00043784).

Revascularization (surgical or percutaneous) in patients with chronic total occlusions confers a significant survival advantage when compared to medical therapy

The aim of our study was to examine the trends in procedural success, in-hospital, and long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTO) over the last 25 years from a single PCI registry and to examine the impact of drug-eluting stents.The percutaneous treatment of CTO remains a major challenge. Past studies have used variable definitions of CTO, and there are limited data available from contemporary practice.We evaluated the outcomes of 1,262 patients from the Mayo Clinic registry who required PCI for a CTO. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the time of their intervention: group 1 (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty era), group 2 (early stent era), group 3 (bare-metal stent era), and group 4 (drug-eluting stent era).Procedural success rates were 51%, 72%, 73%, and 70% (p < 0.001), respectively, in the 4 groups. In-hospital mortality (2%, 1%, 0.4%, and 0%, p = 0.009), emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (15%, 3%, 2%, and 0.7%, p < 0.001), and rates of major adverse cardiac events (8%, 5%, 3%, and 4%, p = 0.052) decreased over time. During follow-up, the combined end point of death, myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization, was significantly lower in the 2 most recent cohorts compared with those patients treated before (p = 0.001 for trend). Technical failure to treat the CTO was not an independent predictor of long-term mortality (hazard ratio 1.16 [95% confidence interval 0.90 to 1.5], p = 0.25).Procedural success rates for CTO have not improved over time in the stent era, highlighting the need to develop new techniques and devices. Compared with the prestent era, in-hospital major adverse cardiac events and 1-year target vessel revascularization rates have declined by approximately 50%.

Impact of delayed presentation on management and outcome of non–ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes

The impact of delayed presentation on the management and outcomes of patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) has not been well studied. Furthermore, the prognostic value of initial biomarker level in relation to the time of presentation has not been determined. The Canadian ACS II registry was a national, multicenter, prospective observational study of 1,956 patients with NSTE-ACS (October 2002-December 2003). We compared the baseline characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in early (within 6 hours of symptom onset) versus late presenters (>6 hours). A logistic regression model was developed to examine the independent association of late presentation with 1-year mortality. We also evaluated the prognostic value of initial biomarker level in relation to early versus late presentation. A total of 1,219 (62.3%) patients presented early, whereas 727 (37.7%) presented late; their rates of in-hospital revascularization were similar (40.5% vs 42.5%, respectively, P = .39). There was also no significant difference in hospital mortality (1.6% vs 2.2%, P = .30) or 1-year mortality (7.6% vs 5.7%, P = .13) between early and late presenters. After adjusting for other prognosticators, late presentation was not an independent predictor of 1-year mortality (adjusted odds ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.48-1.26, P = .3). Elevated initial biomarker was independently associated with higher 1-year mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.17, 95% CI 1.31-3.58, P = .002) regardless of whether hospital presentation was early or late (P for interaction = .74). There is still considerable delay between symptom onset of NSTE-ACS and hospital presentation in the contemporary era. In contrast to studies of ST-elevation myocardial infarction, we found no significant differences in the management and outcome of early presenters as compared with late presenters with NSTE-ACS. Nevertheless, measures to reduce patient delay time should continue to be implemented. Initial biomarker status is a useful prognosticator irrespective of the delay time.

Relation Between Blood Pressure at Hospital Discharge After an Acute Coronary Syndrome and Long-Term Survival

There are limited data on the relation between blood pressure (BP) at hospital discharge and long-term outcomes after acute coronary syndromes. In this study, of 1,053 consecutive survivors of acute coronary syndromes (mean age 64.9 +/- 12.6 years, 63% men), patients with lower diastolic BP were older, had higher Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) discharge risk scores, and had higher 2-year mortality. When modeled with GRACE score in predicting survival, only diastolic BP but not pulse pressure or systolic BP was significant in predicting survival up to 5 years. When cardioprotective medications and in-hospital revascularization were incorporated in the model, the independent predictors for survival included lower GRACE score, higher diastolic BP, and the use of beta blockers and statins. The square term of diastolic BP was also significant, indicating a J-shaped relation. Adding diastolic BP to GRACE score tended to improve the C index for predicting 6-, 12-, and 24-month survival (p = 0.14, 0.07, and 0.09, respectively). In conclusion, this study established the independent prognostic relation between diastolic BP and survival after acute coronary syndromes.

TREATMENT OF ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (AMI) IN 2006 AND 1-YEAR OUTCOMES

Background: Previous audit of AMI patients treated between 1997 and 2002 demonstrated increasing use of in-hospital revascularisation and evidence-based medications at discharge.