Multicenter Registry Research Articles

Trends in Dual Antiplatelet Therapy of Aspirin and Clopidogrel and Outcomes in Ischemic Stroke Patients Noneligible for POINT/CHANCE Trial Treatment.

Recent clinical trials established the benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel (DAPT-AC) in early-presenting patients with minor ischemic stroke. However, the impact of these trials over time on the use and outcomes of DAPT-AC among the patients with nonminor or late-presenting stroke who do not meet the eligibility criteria of these trials has not been delineated. In a multicenter stroke registry, this study examined yearly changes from April 2008 to August 2022 in DAPT-AC use for stroke patients ineligible for CHANCE/POINT (Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Nondisabling Cerebrovascular Events/Platelet-Oriented Inhibition in New TIA and Minor Ischemic Stroke) clinical trials due to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale >4 or late arrival beyond 24 hours of onset. A total of 32 118 patients (age, 68.1±13.1 years; male, 58.5%) with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale of 4 (interquartile range, 1-7) were analyzed. In 2008, DAPT-AC was used in 33.0%, other antiplatelets in 62.7%, and no antiplatelet in 4.3%. The frequency of DAPT-AC was relatively unchanged through 2013, when the CHANCE trial was published, and then increased steadily, reaching 78% in 2022, while other antiplatelets decreased to 17.8% in 2022 (Ptrend<0.001). From 2011 to 2022, clinical outcomes nonsignificantly improved, with an average relative risk reduction of 2%/y for the composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality, both among patients treated with DAPT-AC and patients treated with other antiplatelets. Use of DAPT-AC in stroke patients with stroke ineligible for recent DAPT clinical trials increased markedly and steadily after CHANCE publication in 2013, reaching deployment in nearly 4 of every 5 patients by 2022. The secondary prevention in patients with ischemic stroke seems to be gradually improving, possibly due to the enhancement of risk factor control.

Statins use and recurrent venous thromboembolism in the direct oral anticoagulant era: insight from the COMMAND VTE Registry-2.

Statins were reported to have a potential effect of primary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE), although that of secondary prevention remains uncertain. To investigate the association between statins use and recurrent VTE in the current era. The COMMAND VTE Registry-2 is a multicenter registry enrolling 5,197 consecutive VTE patients among 31 centers in Japan between January 2015 and August 2020. We divided the entire cohort into 2 groups according to statins use at the time of discharge; the statins (N = 865) and no statins groups (N = 4332). The statins group was older (72.9 vs. 66.7 years, P < 0.001), and less often had active cancer (22.0% vs. 30.4%, P < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of discontinuation of anticoagulation was significantly lower in the statins group (60.3% vs. 52.6%, Log-rank P < 0.001). The cumulative 5-year incidence of recurrent VTE was significantly lower in the statins group (6.8% vs. 10.1%, Log-rank P = 0.01). Even after adjusting for the confounders, the lower risk of the statins group relative to the no statins group remained significant for recurrent VTE (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45-0.91, P = 0.01). The cumulative 5-year incidence of major bleeding was significantly lower in the statins group (12.2% vs. 14.1%, Log-rank P = 0.04), although, after adjusting for the confounders, the risk of the statins group relative to the no statins group turned to be insignificant (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59-1.00, P = 0.054). In this large real-world VTE registry, statins use was significantly associated with a lower risk for the recurrent VTE in the current era.

Outcomes of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Patients With Stroke Presenting With Low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score in Early and Late Time Windows.

This study aimed to compare outcomes of low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) patients with stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) within 6 hours or 6 to 24 hours after stroke onset. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a large multicenter international registry from 2013 to 2023. Patients with low ASPECTS (2-5) who underwent MT for anterior circulation intracranial large vessel occlusion were included. A propensity matching analysis was conducted for patients presented in the early (<6 hours) vs late (6-24 hours) time window after symptom onset or last known normal. Among the 10 229 patients who underwent MT, 274 met the inclusion criteria. 122 (44.5%) patients were treated in the late window. Early window patients were older (median age, 74 years [IQR, 63-80] vs 66.5 years [IQR, 54-77]; P < .001), had lower proportion of female patients (40.1% vs 54.1%; P = .029), higher median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (20 [IQR, 16-24] vs 19 [IQR, 14-22]; P = .004), and a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (46.1% vs 27.3; P = .002). Propensity matching yielded a well-matched cohort of 84 patients in each group. Comparing the matched cohorts showed there was no significant difference in acceptable outcomes at 90 days between the 2 groups (odds ratio = 0.90 [95% CI = 0.47-1.71]; P = .70). However, the rate of symptomatic ICH was significantly higher in the early window group compared with the late window group (odds ratio = 2.44 [95% CI = 1.06-6.02]; P = .04). Among patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and low ASPECTS, MT seems to provide a similar benefit to functional outcome for patients presenting <6 hours or 6 to 24 hours after onset.

Comparative Data of Procedural and Midterm Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure Between the WATCHMAN FLX and WATCHMAN 2.5 Devices - Insight From the OCEAN-LAAC Registry.

Limited data are available regarding clinical outcomes after percutaneous left atrial appendage closure using WATCHMAN FLX (WM-FLX) and WATCHMAN-2.5 (WM2.5) devices in Asian patients.Methods and Results: Data of 1,464 consecutive patients (WM-FLX, n=909; WM2.5, n=555) were extracted from a Japanese multicenter registry, and clinical data were compared between the 2 groups. No in-hospital deaths, periprocedural stroke, or device embolization occurred. Procedural success was significantly higher in the WM-FLX than WM2.5 group (95.8% vs. 91.9%; P=0.002) owing to the lower incidence of periprocedural pericardial effusion (0.55% vs. 1.8%; P=0.021). No significant differences in all-cause death, postprocedural stroke, and device-related thrombus were observed between the 2 groups. However, the cumulative bleeding rate at 1 year was substantially lower in the WM-FLX group (7.8% vs. 16.4%; P<0.001). Landmark analysis of bleeding events highlighted lower bleeding rates in the WM-FLX than WM2.5 group within the first 6 months (6.4% vs. 14.8%; P<0.001), with comparable bleeding rates over the 6- to 12-month period (1.5% vs. 3.2%, respectively; P=0.065). This study demonstrated higher early safety and lower 1-year bleeding rates in the WM-FLX than WM2.5 group. The lower bleeding events with WM-FLX are likely due to multiple factors other than purely difference in devices, such as postprocedural drug regimen.

Prevalence and location of coronary artery disease in anomalous aortic origin of coronary arteries.

The prevalence and location of coronary artery disease (CAD) in anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) remain poorly documented in adults. We sought to assess the presence of CAD in proximal (or ectopic) and distal (or nonectopic) segments of AAOCA. We hypothesized that the representation of CAD may differ among the different courses of AAOCA. The presence of CAD was analyzed on coronary angiography and/or coronary computed tomography angiography in 390 patients (median age 64 years; 73% male) with AAOCA included in the anomalous coronary arteries multicentric registry. AAOCA mainly involved circumflex artery (54.4%) and right coronary artery (RCA) (31.3%). All circumflex arteries had a retroaortic course; RCA mostly an interarterial course (98.4%). No CAD was found in the proximal segment of interarterial AAOCA, whereas 43.8% of retroaortic AAOCA, 28% of prepulmonic AAOCA and 20.8% subpulmonic AAOCA had CAD in their proximal segments (P < 0.001). CAD was more prevalent in proximal than in distal segments of retroaortic AAOCA (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.8-5.4, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, a retroaortic course was associated with an increased prevalence of CAD in the proximal segment (adjusted OR 3.4, 95% CI: 1.3-10.7, P = 0.022). Increased prevalence of CAD was found in the proximal segment of retroaortic AAOCA compared to the proximal segments of other AAOCA, whereas no CAD was observed in the proximal segment of interarterial AAOCA. The mechanisms underlying these differences are not yet clearly identified.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair With the MitraClip Device for Prior Mitral Valve Repair Failure: Insights From the GIOTTO-FAILS Study.

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair has a favorable risk-benefit profile in patients with significant de novo mitral regurgitation. Its role in patients with prior mitral valve repair is uncertain. We aimed to appraise the outcome of patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with prior transcatheter or surgical mitral valve repair (SMVR). We queried the Italian multicenter registry on TEER with MitraClip, distinguishing naïve patients from those with prior TEER or (SMVR). Inhospital and long-term clinical/echocardiographic outcomes were appraised. The primary outcome was the occurrence of death or rehospitalization for heart failure. A total of 2238 patients were included, with 2169 (96.9%) who were naïve to any mitral intervention, 29 (1.3%) with prior TEER, and 40 (1.8%) with prior SMVR. Several significant differences were found in baseline clinical and imaging features. Respectively, device success was obtained in 2120 (97.7%), 28 (96.6%), and 38 (95.0%, P=0.261) patients; procedural success in 2080 (95.9%), 25 (86.2%), and 38 (95.0%; P=0.047); and inhospital death in 61 (2.8%), 1 (3.5%), and no (P=0.558) patients. Clinical follow-up after a mean of 14 months showed similar rates of death, cardiac death, rehospitalization, rehospitalization for heart failure, and their composite (all P>0.05). Propensity score-adjusted analysis confirmed unadjusted analysis, with lower procedural success for the prior TEER group (odds ratio, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.09-0.81]; P=0.019) but similar odds ratios and hazard ratios for all other outcomes in the naïve, TEER, and SMVR groups (all P>0.05). In carefully selected patients, TEER can be performed using the MitraClip device even after prior TEER or SMVR.

Mid-term safety and efficacy in small intracranial aneurysm coiling: results from TARGET® nano prospective independent core lab adjudicated multicenter registry

BackgroundThe primary objective is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Stryker second generation Target® Nano Coils in the treatment of ruptured and unruptured small (&amp;lt;7 mm) intracranial aneurysms.MethodsThe TARGET Registry is a prospective, two-arm study with independent medical event monitoring and core-lab adjudication. This paper describes the second arm of the TARGET registry. Patients with de novo intracranial aneurysms were embolized with 2nd generation TARGET Nano coils in 12 US centers. The primary efficacy outcome was adequate aneurysm occlusion (RR occlusion grade I-II) on follow-up. Primary safety outcome was treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Secondary outcomes included aneurysm packing density immediately post-procedure, immediate adequate occlusion, aneurysm re-access rate, retreatment rate and clinical outcomes using modified ranking scale. A secondary analysis investigated the influence of using Nano-predominant coils (≥2/3 of total coil-length) vs. non-Nano-predominant coils (&amp;lt;2/3 of total length).Results150 patients with 155 aneurysms met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. (31%) patients with ruptured and (69%) with unruptured aneurysms were treated using TARGET coils. Median age was 58.8 (SD 12.7), 74.7% were females, and 80% were Caucasians. Mean follow-up was 5.23 (SD 2.27) months. Peri-procedural mortality was seen in 2.0% of patients. Good outcome at discharge (mRS 0–2) was seen in 81.3% of the cohort. The median packing density (SD) was 29.4% (14.9). Mid-term complete/near complete occlusion rate was seen in 96% of aneurysms and complete obliteration was seen in 75.2% of aneurysms. Patients treated predominantly with Nano coils had higher PD (32.6% vs. 26.1%, p &amp;lt; 0.001). There was no significant difference in clinical and angiographic outcomes. The mid-term mRS0-2 was achieved in 106/109 (97.2%) patients. All-cause mortality was 5/115 (4.3%).ConclusionIn the multicenter TARGET Registry, 75.8% of aneurysms achieved mid-term complete occlusion, and 96% achieved complete/near complete occlusion with excellent independent functional outcome.

Childhood-Onset Non-Infectious Uveitis in the “Biologic Era”. Results From Spanish Multicenter Multidisciplinary Real-World Clinical Settings

ABSTRACT Objective To characterize and describe clinical experience with childhood-onset non-infectious uveitis. Study Design A multicenter retrospective multidisciplinary national web-based registry of 507 patients from 21 hospitals was analyzed. Cases were grouped as immune disease-associated (IMDu), idiopathic (IDIu) or ophthalmologically distinct. Characteristics of juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated (non-HLA-B27-related) uveitis (JIAu), IDIu, and pars planitis (PP) were compared. Results IMDu (62.3%) and JIAu (51.9%) predominated in young females; and IDIu (22.7%) and PP (13.6%) in older children, without sex imbalance. Ocular complications occurred in 45.3% of cases (posterior synechiae [28%], cataracts [16%], band keratopathy [14%], ocular hypertension [11%] and cystoid macular edema [10%]) and were associated with synthetic (86%) and biologic (65%) disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use. Subgroups were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with different characteristics. JIAu was typically anterior (98%), insidious (75%), in ANA-positive (69%), young females (82%) with fewer complications (31%), better visual outcomes, and later use of uveitis-effective biologics. In contrast, IDIu was characteristically anterior (87%) or panuveitic (12.1%), with acute onset (60%) and more complications at onset (59%: synechiae [31%] and cataracts [9.6%]) and less DMARD use, while PP is intermediate, and was mostly bilateral (72.5%), persistent (86.5%) and chronic (86.8%), with more complications (70%; mainly posterior segment and cataracts at last visit), impaired visual acuity at onset, and greater systemic (81.2%), subtenon (29.1%) and intravitreal (10.1%) steroid use. Conclusion Prognosis of childhood uveitis has improved in the “biologic era,” particularly in JIAu. Early referral and DMARD therapy may reduce steroid use and improve outcomes, especially in PP and IDIu.

Controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking (CART) for recanalisation of chronic total occlusions.

Controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking (CART) is rarely performed in contemporary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to analyse the indications, procedural characteristics, and outcomes of CART at a high-volume CTO programme. We included all patients undergoing a retrograde CTO PCI in which CART was performed at our institution between January 2019 and November 2023. The primary endpoint was technical success. Of 1,582 CTO PCI, the retrograde approach was performed in 603 procedures (38.1%), and CART was used in 45 cases (7.5%). The mean age was 69.1±10.3 years, 93.3% were male, and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery was present in 68.9%. The most common target CTO vessel was the right coronary artery (48.9%). Anatomical complexity was high (Multicentre CTO Registry of Japan [J-CTO] score of 3.6±0.9). The most common collateral used for CART was a saphenous vein graft (62.2%). Advanced calcium modification was required in 15.6% of cases. CART was successful in 73.3%. Technical and procedural success was 82.2%. Coronary perforation was diagnosed in 4 subjects (8.9%), but only 1 patient (2.2%) suffered tamponade and required pericardiocentesis. No other in-hospital major adverse cardiac events were diagnosed. CART is a useful technique in selected, very complex CTOs tackled with the retrograde approach. Success rates were high, while complication rates were low, considering the high anatomical complexity and baseline patient risk.

Safety of Janus kinase inhibitors compared to biological DMARDs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and renal impairment: the ANSWER cohort study

Data on the safety of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) in patients with renal impairment are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the safety of JAKis compared to biological (b) DMARDs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and renal impairment. We used a multi-centre observational registry of patients with RA in Japan (the ANSWER cohort). We assessed the drug retention rates of b/targeted synthetic DMARDs with different modes of action (tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis), immunoglobulins fused with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen (CTLA-4-Ig), interleukin-6 receptor inhibitors (IL-6Ris), and JAKis) in patients with RA stratified by pre-treatment estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels. The time to discontinuation of bDMARDs or JAKis was analysed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model This study included 3775 patients, who were classified into three groups (the normal group (eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2): 2893 patients; CKDa group (eGFR 45–60 mL/min/1.73 m2): 551; and CKDb group (eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2): 331). In the CKDb group, the 12-month drug retention rate due to adverse events (AE) was the lowest in patients treated with JAKi (TNFi: 93.1%; IL-6Ri: 94.1%; CTLA-4-Ig: 92.3%; JAKi: 75.1%). In the normal and CKDa groups, drug retention rates due to AE were similar among patients treated with bDMARDs and JAKi. In contrast, drug retention rates due to inefficacy were similar between bDMARDs and JAKis in all groups. In the Cox-proportional model, in the CKDb group, TNFi, IL-6Ri, and CTLA-4-Ig showed lower incidence of drug discontinuation due to AE than JAKis (TNFi: hazard ratio = 0.23 (95% confidence interval 0.09–0.61), IL-6Ri: 0.34 (0.14–0.81), CTLA-4-Ig: 0.36 (0.15–0.89)). JAKis showed the lowest drug retention due to AE in patients with moderate-to-severe and severe renal impairment (eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2). Physicians should pay more attention to renal function when using JAKis than when using bDMARDs.

STEMI antiplatelet pretreatment strategy - national multicenter registry experience

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background/Introduction Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone treatment for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) including aspirin and a potent P2Y12 inhibitor (P2Y12i) is recommended as the default strategy. However, the timing of DAPT remains controversial: European Cardiology Society (ESC) guidelines ceased recommending pretreatment with P2Y12i in STEMI, based on ATLANTIC trial results. Purpose This study aims to evaluate the effect of DAPT with potent P2Y12i pretreatment DAPT in STEMI patients, comparing with DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin only pretreatment. Methods We have analyzed the antiplatelet pretreatment strategy results of a retrospective cohort of 2283 STEMI patients, from a multicenter national registry, from 2011 till 2019. We compared 3 groups: DAPT with potent P2Y12i, DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin only. Primary endpoints were death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including reinfarction, heart failure, sustained ventricular arrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, mechanical complication and stroke, and successful PCI. Safety endpoint was major hemorrhagic events between different strategies. Results A total of 2283 STEMI patients where included, with a mean age of 66±13 years and 27% (n=627) were female. The population was divided in 3 groups, according with pretreatment strategy: DAPT with potent P2Y12i, DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin only. 334 patients undergone DAPT with potent P2Y12i, and 86% (n=296) had a successful PCI, 21% (n=69) had a MACE and 9% (n=31) died in hospital. The group of patients submitted to DAPT with clopidogrel were 1815, and 80% (n=1448) had a successful PCI, 29% (n=527) had a MACE and 11,5% (n=209). The group pretreated only with aspirin were 124 patients, of which, only 14% (n=17) had a successful PCI, 38% (n=47) had a MACE and 39% (n=49) died. Regarding safety outcomes, 1,5% (n=5) patients with DAPT with potent P2Y12i had a significant hemorrhage, comparing with 3% (n=53) of patients with DAPT with clopidogrel and 3% (n=4) of aspirin only group of patients. There was a statistically significant higher rate of successful PCI with DAPT with potent P2Y12i (p&amp;lt;0,05 OR 2), a statistically significant lower number of MACE (p&amp;lt;0,05 OR 0,6) and in hospital deaths (p=0,04 OR 0,67), comparing with DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin only groups. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of hemorrhagic events (p=0,7). According to our retrospective multicenter national registry, pretreatment with potent P2Y12i is associated with better results, namely higher rate of successful PCI, less MACE and in hospital death, contrary to recent trials. Our study has some bias: the pretreatment with DAPT was standard of care during the registry, and the choice for aspirin only strategy might be due to higher risk patients, as the choice was not randomized.Antiplatelet treatment comparison

Respiratory support modalities in cardiogenic shock: insights from a prospective multicenter registry

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background Respiratory support is a vital component of the comprehensive management of cardiogenic shock (CS). However, there is a lack of data comparing the application of different respiratory support modalities in CS patients. Purpose Aim of this study was to examine the use of low-flow oxygen (LFO), non-invasive ventilation (NIV), and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in a cohort of CS patients and assess their effects on 60-day mortality. Methods We analyzed a cohort of CS patients enrolled in a multicenter prospective registry from twelve cardiac intensive care units from March 2020 to August 2022. Patients were categorized according to the maximum intensity of respiratory support during intensive care unit stay into three groups: LFO, NIV, and IMV. Clinical characteristics and mortality were compared between groups. Results A total of 375 patients were included in our analysis. The median age of the population was 65 years, with 77% being males. During their ICU stay, 139 patients (37%) received LFO, 61 (16%) were treated with NIV, and 175 (47%) underwent IMV. Patients treated with IMV presented more frequently with cardiac arrest (41% vs 8% in the LFO group and 5% in the NIV group, p = 0.00). Patients treated with LFO and NIV had a higher prevalence of CS related to acute decompensated heart failure (40% and 57% vs 21% in the IMV group, p = 0.00); moreover, they presented with less severe respiratory distress, milder tissue hypoperfusion, and better SCAI class upon admission. At sixty days follow-up 128 patients (34%) died: 41% in the IMV group, 28% in the LFO group and 26% in the NIV group (p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that NIV was independently associated with improved survival (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.22-0.99, p = 0.05), while age, lactate levels, and glomerular filtration rate were predictors of mortality. A tendency towards improved survival with NIV was observed even after excluding patients with cardiac arrest. Conclusions Compared to previous registries, our study highlights a significant shift in the management of CS, marked by a growing preference for NIV. Notably, this approach, when employed in well-selected patients in the early stages of CS, correlates with lower mortality rates. These findings underscore the significance of personalized treatment strategies for CS patients, considering their clinical presentation, the degree of respiratory distress, and tissue perfusion.60-day survival curvesMultivariate regression analysis

Reperfusion therapies in patients with intermediate- and high-risk pulmonary embolism: insights from a multicenter registry

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background Most acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients receive anticoagulation as a sole treatment. Reperfusion therapies are required in high-risk (HR) and in intermediate-risk (IR)-PE patients with clinical deterioration. Systemic thrombolysis (ST) is the first-line reperfusion therapy, but due to contraindications and major bleeding concerns, catheter-directed therapies (CDT) are rising as a suitable alternative. Purpose The main objective of this study was to look for predictors that lead physicians to decide between different PE therapies in a contemporary cohort of patients. Methods This ambispective registry included consecutive IR- and HR-acute PE patients evaluated by local Pulmonary Embolism Response Team in two tertiary centers from 2014 to 2022. The patients were grouped according to the elected therapy: anticoagulation alone, CDT or ST. If more than one reperfusion therapy was used, the patient was assigned to the group of the first administered therapy. Predictors of reperfusion therapy assignment were evaluated using a logistic regression analysis. Also, early safety outcomes and procedural results after CDT were analyzed. Results A total of 274 patients were included. Of them, 112 received only anticoagulation, 96 received ST as primary treatment, and 66 underwent CDT at first. Baseline characteristics are displayed in Picture 1. Patients in the ST group were significantly younger (p&amp;lt;0.01). Comorbidities were higher in the CDT group compared to the other two. Patients undergoing CDT or ST had higher PE severity parameters at hospital admission than the anticoagulation group (e.g. shock index, RV involvement, or lactate levels; p&amp;lt;0.01 for all). The Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index score, which incorporates comorbidities and PE severity parameters, was higher in CDT patients compared to the other two groups (p&amp;lt;0.01). Picture 2 shows the trend in the choice between the two primary reperfusion therapies over the years. After multivariable analysis, the Charlson comorbidity index, recent surgery and bilateral central PE remained independent predictors for the use of CDT instead of ST (p&amp;lt;0.05 for all). A significant decrease in the systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressure and a significant increase in systolic blood pressure after procedure was detected in patients undergoing CDT. Regarding early safety outcomes, intracranial bleeding occurred only in the ST group. In contrast, the incidence of major bleeding, acute kidney injury and 30-day mortality did not differ between CDT and ST groups. Conclusion This contemporary registry used CDT as primary therapy in 24% of IHR and HR patients, mainly in comorbid and post-surgical patients, and increased over time. CDT was a safe and effective alternative to ST, achieving significant and early improvement in right ventricular function and hemodynamics.Baseline characteristicsChoice of reperfusion therapy over time

Higher mortality among off-hours versus regular-hours admissions to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU): insights from the critical care cardiology trials network registry (CCCTN)

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background The outcomes of patients admitted to general intensive care units vary significantly according to the time of admission. Whether this applies to the CICU setting is unknown. Purpose We sought to determine if patient characteristics, admission source, critical care therapy utilization, and clinical outcomes differ according to whether CICU admission occurred during regular-hours or off-hours. Methods CCCTN is a multicenter prospective registry of consecutive admissions to CICUs in North America coordinated by the TIMI Study Group. For this analysis of admissions during calendar year 2022, "regular-hours" was defined as 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, and "off-hours" was defined as 7 p.m.- 7 a.m. on weekdays or at any time on Saturday or Sunday. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust in-hospital mortality rates for admission time (on-hours vs. off-hours), age, sex, SOFA score, and cardiac arrest. Results Among 5238 CICU admissions, 2956 (56.4%) occurred during off-hours. Patient demographics (mean age: 67.0 years, 35.7% female, 51.1% white) and comorbidities were generally similar among off-hours and regular-hours admissions. The median SOFA score was 3.0 in both groups. Compared to regular-hours admissions, off-hours admissions were more likely to originate from the ED (39.9% vs. 29.4%, p&amp;lt;0.0001) and less likely to originate from a procedural area (24.5% vs. 41.8%, p&amp;lt;0.0001). ST-elevation MI was a more common admission diagnosis among off-hours vs. regular-hours admissions (19.2% vs. 16.4%, p=0.009). Primary CICU indications of respiratory insufficiency, unstable arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and distributive/mixed shock were more common among off-hours admissions (Table). Mechanical ventilation, IV vasoactive therapy, and targeted temperature management (TTM) were utilized more frequently among patients admitted during off-hours. Median ICU (2.5 vs. 2.0d) and hospital length of stay (6.2 vs. 5.8d) were longer for off-hours admissions (both p&amp;lt;0.0001). Crude CICU mortality (11.4% vs. 8.5%, p=0.0005) and in-hospital mortality (15.6% vs. 11.7%, p&amp;lt;0.0001) were significantly higher among off-hours admissions (Figure). After adjustment, off-hours admission remained significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.02 – 1.49, p=0.03). Conclusions Off-hours and regular-hours admissions to the CICU had similar baseline characteristics but differed significantly regarding source of admission, indication for admission, and utilization of critical care therapies. These differences were associated with worse clinical outcomes among off-hours admissions, which may suggest the need for more intensive staffing in CICUs during these times.FigureTable

Clinical impact of a cardiac intensivist in an adult cardiac care unit from the RESCUE registry

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Purpose Dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) physician staffing is assocated with a reduction in ICU mortality rates in general medical and surgical ICUs. However, limited data area available on the role of cardiac intensivist in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). We investigated the association of cardiac intensivist-directed care with clinical outcomes in adult patients admitted to the CICU. Methods The SMART-RESCUE study is a multicenter, retrospective and prosective registry of patients that presented witth cardiogenic shock (CS). Between January 2014 and December 2018, 1,247 patients with CS were enrolled from 12 major centers in Korea. The study population was divided into 2 groups, according to the presence of a cardiac intensivist. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results THe analysis with SMART-RESCUE registry included 1,247 patients with CS (n=552 in the group with cardiac intensivist and n=695 in the group without cardiac intensivist) (Table 1). The in-hospital survival rate was significant higher in the group with intensivist than that in the group without intensivist (72.1% vs 59.2%, p &amp;lt; 0.001) (Figure 1). Cardiac intensive care with cardiac intensivist was associated with a reduction in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio for in hospital death, 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.401 to 0.704; p &amp;lt; 0.001). Survival analysis also revealed significantly higher death free survival in te group with intensitivst. In multivariable analysis, cardiac intensivist, chronic kidney disease, ECMO-cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ST elevation myocardial infarction presentation and vasotrope-inotrope score were selected to be significant prognostic predictors for death in the CICU. Concluison: The presence of a dedicated cardiac intensivist was associated with a reduction in hospital mortality rates in patients with cardiovascular disease who required critical care.

Risk of sepsis after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock from the RESCUE registry

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Objectives It is known that the incidence of sepsis is higher in patients receiving extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO). In particular, extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) is performed in emergency situations, which may increase the likelihood of non-aseptic management compared to routine procedures. So, we investigated the association of ECPR and incidence of sepsis in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock (CS). Background Pre- and post-ECPR sepsis are associated with increased mortality, and it is known that the occurrence of sepsis after ECPR is higher than in conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, it is not well known whether ECPR has a higher incidence of sepsis than ECMO insertion in non-CPR conditions. Method The SMART-RESCUE study is a multi-center, retrospective and prospective registry of patients that presented with CS. Between January 2014 and December 2018, 1,247 patients with CS were enrolled from 12 major centers in Korea. The incidence of sepsis was compared by dividing into two groups according to whether or not ECPR was performed. Patients with ECMO duration less than 48 hours were excluded. Result Total of 231 patients(mean age 59.46 years, men 67.70%, mead follow-up duration 136.5 days) were analyzed into ECPR group(n=95, 60.7 ± 13.0 years, men 75.8%) and non-ECPR group(n=136, 58.6 ± 15.5 years, men 65.4%) respectively. ECPR group showed lower SBP, lower DBP, lower HR, more shock caused by ischemia, more smoking, lower LVEF, higher Hb, higher serum Na, lower AST, higher Peak troponin I, higher vasoactive inotropic score, higher ICMP portion. After 1:1 propensity score matching corrected for height, SBP, DBP, Hb, initial pump flow, Na, ICMP, vasoactive inotropic score, difference remained in SBP, DBP, HR, cause of shock. Sepsis incidence was 7.4%. The risk for sepsis incidence was not different between two groups(7.4% vs 6.3%, adjusted OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.38-3.65, p=0.774). Conclusion ECPR procedure does not increase sepsis compared to ECMO insertion not in CPR state in patients with cardiogenic shock. Keyword: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, sepsis, cardiogenic shockBaseline characteristicsAdjusted outcomes

Clinical predictors of late left ventricle recovery in tako-tsubo syndrome

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Introduction Tako-Tsubo syndrome (TTS) or stress cardiomyopathy is characterized by transient dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) and a clinical presentation that can mimic an acute coronary syndrome. Recovery from contraction abnormalities may occur hours to weeks after the acute event. Although traditionally considered a disease with a favorable prognosis, it has been observed to have a complication rate during hospitalization similar to acute myocardial infarction and a significant mortality rate during follow-up (greater than 5% per patient-year). The recovery time of LV function has demonstrated important prognostic value. Purpose The aim of this work was to determine the clinical predictors of late left ventricular recovery in TTS. Methods Data from the multicenter national registry on Takotsubo Syndrome (RETAKO) were utilized. Clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and other imaging test characteristics, as well as events during hospitalization and follow-up, were collected. Recovery within the first days after the acute event was considered early recovery. Patients who died within the first 10 days after the acute event were excluded. Results A total of 1,463 patients were analyzed, of whom 373 (25.5%) had late recovery. The mean age was 71 years, and 86.6% were women. In the late recovery group, factors more common were age over 75 years, male gender, neurological disease, lung disease, peripheral arterial disease, active cancer, physical trigger, initial presentation as dyspnea or syncope, presence of shock, greater left ventricular dysfunction at diagnosis, and higher levels of proBNP. In multivariate analysis, the presence of neurological disease, active cancer, shock during hospitalization, lower initial LV ejection fraction, and physical trigger were associated with late recovery. Conclusions Patients with TTS showing late recovery of LV function have different clinical characteristics and disease presentation compared to those with early recovery. Late recovery was associated with the presence of neurological disease or active cancer, shock during hospitalization, lower initial LV ejection fraction, and physical trigger.

Pediatric Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a review and insights from a national multicentric registry

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) in the pediatric population is an infrequent but relevant cause of morbidity and mortality, with limited studies addressing its clinical course and prognosis. Objectives We aimed to analyze the clinical features and prognosis of pediatric TTS in a nation-wide multicenter registry and considering the published literature. Methods we included a total of 54 patients from 4 different hospitals in Spain, as well as pediatric TTS patients from the published literature. Comparisons between groups were performed in order to assess for statistically and clinically relevant prognostic differences between pediatric and adult population features. Results Comparison between the RETAKO general population is detailed in Table 1. Pediatric patients with TTS had a median age of 11 years (IQR = 4-14). When compared to the RETAKO general population, they were more often male (51.9% vs 23.3%, p&amp;lt;0.001), and displayed a higher prevalence of secondary forms (90.7% vs 35.6% in adults, p&amp;lt;0.001). Regarding race, 11 cases (20.4%) were from Asia and 42 (77.8%) were Caucasian; whereas in RETAKO 1420 (94.9%) were Caucasians, with under 5 cases (&amp;lt;0.1%) being Asian. Pediatric patients presented less commonly with angina (11.1% vs 64.1%, p&amp;lt;0.001) or dyspnea (30% vs 41.7%, p&amp;lt;0.001), compared to the general RETAKO cohort. Nevertheless, pediatric patients with TTS exhibited a higher Killip status on admission (Killip IV 74.1% vs 10.5%, p&amp;lt;0.001), and higher needs of vasoactive and mechanical ventilatory support during hospitalization. Regarding complementary exams, pediatric patients presented with lower LVEF on admission (30.5+10.4 vs 36.9+16.9, p = 0.014) together with greater prevalence of atypical (basal or midventricular) TTS patterns on echocardiography (30.2% vs 15.8%, p = 0.006). Additionally, there were significantly less ST-segment alterations in the pediatric population (either ST-segment elevation or depression), without differences on T wave inversion in the admission ECG. During follow-up, all-cause deaths (11.1% vs 12,5%, p = 0.761) and TTS recurrences (3.8% vs 3,8%, p = 0.863) were similar between groups. Conclusions TTS in the pediatric population presents a distinctive clinical profile, with higher prevalence of atypical symptoms and physical triggers; as well as higher rates of cardiogenic shock on admission and similar mortality and recurrence rates than those of the adult population. This study provides valuable insights into understanding pediatric TTS and underscored the necessity for further research in this age group.Table 1

De-escalating treatments and transitioning care in a cardiac intensive care units network

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements None. Background Recent data (1) have shown that end-of-life (EOL) management of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in Cardiac Intensive Care Units (CICU) is aggressive, with late or no involvement of palliative care (PC) teams. Purpose To evaluate current PC and EOL practices in a contemporary multicenter registry of patients with ADHF who deteriorated to cardiogenic shock (CS). Methods A survey-based approach was used to collect data on PC and EOL management practices. We enrolled CS patients from 12 participating centers. A subset of 153 patients with ADHF-CS, enrolled between March 2020 and March 2023, was analyzed. We asked participating centers to report their practice regarding de-escalating treatments and transitioning care in the context of EOL, focusing on 1) discussion of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) deactivation with patients, 2) documentation of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders in the patient's medical record, and 3) documentation of advance directives in the patient's medical record. We also examined early PC team involvement and ICD deactivation as indicators of de-escalating treatments and transitional care in ADHF-CS. Results are presented as numbers and percentages (%) for categorical variables and medians (interquartile range, IQR) for continuous variables. Results Baseline characteristics of the population are shown in Table 1. Figure 1 describes the practices of the participating centers. DNR was routinely documented in the medical records in only 5 of 12 centers (41.7%). PC teams were involved in 21 of 153 enrolled ADHF-CS patients (13.7%). Of the 51 patients with an ICD, 17 died: 13 patients (76%) died in the hospital and 4 (24%) died within 6 months of discharge. ICD deactivation occurred in 6 of 17 deceased patients (35.3%). One patient had ICD deactivation supported by home PC services. Conclusions This study shows that the practice of de-escalating therapy, including ICD deactivation, is not routine in the participating centers. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating PC as a concurrent process with intensive care to effectively address the unmet needs of these patients and their families.

Current post-resuscitation management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients admitted to intensive cardiovascular care units

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Consell Català de Resucitació 2022. Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) accounts the 50% of cardiovascular deaths. Neuroprognostication must be done in a multimodal approach as recommended by ILCOR guidelines but its application in real life is challenging. Aim To investigate current post-resuscitation care and neurological prognostication of OHCA patients admitted to a mediterranean Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) during the 2020s. Methods PCR-Cat was a prospective observational multicenter registry. OHCA patients admitted to the ICCU of 8 catalan hospitals were included from October/2020 to December/2021. Post-OHCA management in the ICCU was analyzed including neuroprognostication tools and targeted temperature management (TTM) approach. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to main outcome at 6-month follow-up: good (CPC 1-2, GO) or poor outcome (death or CPC 3-4, PO). Results 288 patients were included, mean age 61.45 ± 13.76 and only 17.36% were female. GO at 6-month follow-up occurred in 48.95% of patients. Total medium time until ROSC was 28 min and first rhythm was shockable in 80%. An emergent coronary angiography was done in 68.9% and during any moment of the hospitalization in 83.5% (PCI 56.5%). There was no association between the presence and type of significant coronary artery disease and the main outcome. TTM was applied in 65.33% and the target temperature was 33ºC in 71.76%, 34ºC in 3.53%, 35ºC in 2.35% and 36ºC in 22.35%, with no statistically significant differences between the GO and PO groups. The neuronal specific enolase (NSE) was determined in 57 % of patients at 24 hours, 45% at 48h and 57% at 72 h. Myoclonus were statistically significant more frequent in patients with PO (51.20% vs. 7.52%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Almost one electroencephalogram was performed in 60.4% of patients, somato-sensorial evoked potentials in 53.01%, a cerebral computed tomography in 57.75% and a cerebral magnetic resonance imaging in 19.38%. As expected, an abnormal result of all those neurological tests, when performed, were related to poor outcome (Table 1). In-hospital mortality was 46%. Main cause of death was neurological in 72.90%. The percentage of CPC 1-2 increased throughout the follow-up period (Figure 1). Conclusions Although ILCOR guidelines clearly indicate the use of a multimodal approach for neuroprognostication, in real-life setting, the conventional tests for neurological evaluation are used in a differently in every center, depending on their expertise and facility of resources.Figure 1