Non-percutaneous Coronary Intervention Research Articles

Telemedicine through social media to enhance guideline-directed revascularization in STEMI: a five-year analysis in a developing nation

Abstract Background Timely reperfusion reduces mortality in ST segment Elevation Myocardial infarction (STEMI). Telemedicine and social media have been variably used to improve STEMI care in community settings. We established a new care system for STEMI in a public health setting serving a population of over 80 million, in a state with from a developing nation. Purpose To enhance guideline directed revascularisation (GDR) in STEMI by networking non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capable hospitals to PCI capable hospitals in a hub-and-spoke model and implementing telemedicine via social media platforms (Whatsapp) over five years(2019-2023). Methods Eighteen Government medical college hospitals were identified as hubs and were provided with cardiac catheterisation laboratories and empowered to provide either round the clock (Phase I hubs) or office hour primary PCI (Phase II hubs). They were linked to 188 Taluk or District-level, non-PCI capable Government hospitals identified as spokes to form 18 STEMI clusters. Separate social media groups on WhatsApp were created for each of the clusters, facilitating the sharing of de-identified ECGs and clinical data from spokes for guidance on diagnosis and management by hub hospital cardiologists. Transfer to hub hospitals for catheter based therapies were coordinated through prior intimation in the cluster WhatsApp group to ensure timely arrival and treatment. A customised uniform protocol for STEMI management was developed and health care personnel were trained accordingly. Human resource support was provided to collect and submit cumulative daily data on the number of STEMIs, the revascularisation provided and mortality through online free web forms. Annual cumulative data on STEMI volumes and GDR were analysed. Results 71,907 STEMI patients were treated from 2019 to 2023. We observed a 67% increase in STEMIs treated per year from over five years (11,363 in 2019 to 18565 in 2023). Use of pharmaco-invasive therapy increased from 7.9% to 31.7% (Figure-1). There was a marginal increase in use of primary PCI. The count of patients without GDR decreased by 20%. There was a 6.7 fold (672 in 2019 to 4,535 in 2023) rise in patients referred from spoke to hub hospitals for catheter-based revascularization. Over five years, there was an increase in the proportion of patients receiving GDR. This increase was more evident in Phase II hubs (52% in 2019 to 87.1% in 2023). Commensurate with the increase in GDR, phase II hubs demonstrated a tangible decrease in mortality (Figure-2). Conclusion We have shown that networking of non-PCI-capable hospitals with PCI-capable hospitals in a hub and spoke model using social media groups, facilitates telemedicine, leading to improved GDR in STEMI. This innovative approach not only enhances connectivity but also contributes to more efficient and timely cardiac care in resource-constrained settings.Figure 1. Revascularisation in STEMIFigure 2.Mortality Trends in STEMI (hubs)

Clinical Profiles, Outcomes, and Sex Differences of Patients With STEMI: Findings From the NORIN-STEMI Registry

Low- and middle-income countries account for most of the global burden of coronary artery disease. There is a paucity of data regarding epidemiology and outcomes for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients in these regions. The authors studied the contemporary characteristics, practice patterns, outcomes, and sex differences in patients with STEMI in India. NORIN-STEMI (North India ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Registry) is an investigator-initiated prospective cohort study of patients presenting with STEMI at tertiary medical centers in North India. Of 3,635 participants, 16% were female patients, one-third were <50 years of age, 53% had a history of smoking, 29% hypertension, and 24% diabetes. The median time from symptom onset to coronary angiography was 71 hours; the majority (93%) presented first to a non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable facility. Almost all received aspirin, statin, P2Y12 inhibitors, and heparin on presentation; 66% were treated with PCI (98% femoral access) and 13% received fibrinolytics. The left ventricular ejection fraction was<40% in 46% of patients. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 9% and 11%, respectively. Compared with male patients, female patients were less likely to receive PCI (62% vs 73%; P< 0.0001) and had a more than 2-fold greater 1-year mortality (22% vs 9%; adjusted HR: 2.1; 95%CI: 1.7-2.7; P<0.001). In this contemporary registry of patients with STEMI in India, female patients were less likely to receive PCI after STEMI and had a higher 1-year mortality compared with male patients. These findings have important public health implications, and further efforts are required to reduce these gaps.

Thrombolytic Therapy for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Presenting to non-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Centers During the COVID-19 Crisis.

Purpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to offer a discussion on the existing data for the use of thrombolytic therapy for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as well to present an evidence-based approach regarding the treatment for STEMI patients presenting to non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)–capable hospitals during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Recent FindingsThere have been tremendous advances in the care of STEMI patients over the past two decades with primary (PCI) being the standard of care. However, many hospitals do not have interventional cardiology services available, and either have to expeditiously transfer patients for primary PCI, or use the strategy of fibrinolysis therapy with facilitated or rescue PCI. The current COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented paradigm shift with regard to the decision-making algorithm for STEMI patients especially in non-PCI-capable hospitals. Depending on regional transfer systems and potential delay in primary PCI, a strategy of thrombolysis first could be entertained at certain regional systems of care.SummaryThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic decline in the number of patient seeking care for myocardial infarction as well as a reduction in the accessibility of cardiac catheterization services. Regardless, professional societies continue to recommend PCI as the primary means of treatment for STEMI through the COVID-19 pandemic, and early multicenter data suggests the benefit of this therapy remains. Future research will be necessary and holds the key to proving this benefit persists beyond the immediate hospitalization time period both in the current era and in the context of possible future pandemics.

Coronary Artery Disease: Optimal Lipoprotein(a) for Survival-Lower Is Better? A Large Cohort With 43,647 Patients.

Background: A high level of lipoprotein(a) can lead to a high risk of cardiovascular events or mortality. However, the association of moderately elevated lipoprotein(a) levels (≥15 mg/dL) with long-term prognosis among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is still uncertain. Hence, we aim to systematically analyzed the relevance of baseline plasma lipoprotein(a) levels to long-term mortality in a large cohort of CAD patients.Methods: We obtained data from 43,647 patients who were diagnosed with CAD and had follow-up information from January 2007 to December 2018. The patients were divided into two groups (<15 and ≥15 mg/dL). The primary endpoint was long-term all-cause death. Kaplan–Meier curve analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between moderately elevated baseline lipoprotein(a) levels (≥15 mg/dL) and long-term all-cause mortality.Results: During a median follow-up of 5.04 years, 3,941 (18.1%) patients died. We observed a linear association between lipoprotein(a) levels and long-term all-cause mortality. Compared with lipoprotein(a) concentrations <15 mg/dL, lipoprotein(a) ≥15 mg/dL was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.10, 95%CI: 1.04–1.16, P-values = 0.001). Similar results were found for the subgroup analysis of non-acute myocardial infarction, non-percutaneous coronary intervention, chronic heart failure, diabetes mellitus, or non-chronic kidney diseases.Conclusion: Moderately elevated baseline plasma lipoprotein(a) levels (≥15 mg/dL) are significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality in patients with CAD. Our finding provides a rationale for testing the lipoprotein(a)-reducing hypothesis with lower targets (even <15 mg/dL) in CAD outcome trials.

Warning system improve the clinical outcomes in transfer patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

A warning system included directly faxing electrocardiography information to the mobile phone immediately after an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) diagnosis was made at a non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) capable hospital. This study aimed to explore the outcomes after using a warning system in transfer STEMI patients.From October 2013 to December 2016, 667 patients experienced a STEMI event and received primary PCI at our institution. 274 patients who were divided into transfer group were transferred from non-PCI capable hospitals and connected to a first-line cardiovascular doctor by the warning system. Other 393 patients were divided into the non-transfer group.The transfer group still had a longer pain-to-reperfusion time and presented higher troponin-I level when compared with non-transfer group. There was no significant difference in the use of drug-eluting stent and procedural devices between non-transfer and transfer groups. The prevalence of different anti-platelet agents loading did not differ between non-transfer and transfer groups. Non-significant trend about higher prevalence of statin use was noted in transfer group (78.9% vs 86.1%, P = .058). The transfer group presented similar clinical short-term results regarding both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality when comparing with non-transfer group. The transfer group provided non-significant trend about lower one-year cardiovascular mortality (10.7% vs 6.2%, P = .052) and lower all-cause mortality (12.2% vs 6.9%, P = .026) when compared with non-transfer group. There was a significant difference in the Kaplan–Meier curve of 1-year cardiovascular mortality between the transfer group and the non-transfer group (P = .049).After using the warning system, the inter-facility transfer group had comparable outcomes even though a longer pain-to-reperfusion time and a higher peak troponin-I level when comparing with non-transfer group.

Assessment of quality of care of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

The 2017 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction recommended assessing quality of care to establish measurable quality indicators in order to ensure that every ST-elevation myocardial infarction patient receives the best possible care. We investigated the quality indicators of healthcare services in Poland provided to ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients. The Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes is a nationwide, multicentre, prospective study of acute coronary syndrome patients in Poland. For the purpose of assessing quality indicators, we included 8279 patients from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes hospitalised with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in 2018. Four hundred and eight of 8279 patients (4.9%) arrived at percutaneous coronary intervention centre by self-transport, 4791 (57.9%) arrived at percutaneous coronary intervention centre by direct emergency medical system transport, and 2900 (37.2%) were transferred from non-percutaneous coronary intervention facilities. Whilst 95.1% of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients arriving in the first 12 h received reperfusion therapy, the rates of timely reperfusion were much lower (ranging from 39.4% to 55.0% for various ST-elevation myocardial infarction pathways). The median left ventricular ejection fraction was 46% and was assessed before discharge in 86.0% of patients. Four hundred and eighty-nine of 8279 patients (5.9%) died during hospital stay. Optimal medical therapy is prescribed in 50-85% of patients depending on various clinical settings. Only one in two ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients is enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program at discharge. No patient-reported outcomes were recorded in the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes. The results of this study identified areas of healthcare system that require solid improvement. These include direct transport to percutaneous coronary intervention centre, timely reperfusion, guidelines-based medical therapy (in particular in patients with heart failure), referral to cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs. Also, there is a need for recording quality indicators associated with patient-reported outcomes.

Socioeconomic status influences delays in the management of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background A prompt diagnosis to initiate the appropriate reperfusion therapy is crucial to improve clinical outcomes in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Socio-economic status (SES) refers to parameters like income, educational status and occupation. A low SES negatively interferes with the prognosis of STEMI patients. However, the impact of SES on delay time in acute STEMI remains matter of debate. Methods We used databases from two French multicentric and prospective registries: ACIRA (patients undergoing coronary angiography in any catheterization laboratories of Aquitaine) and REANIM (acute STEMI patients supported by emergency medical system (EMS) in Aquitaine). An ecological indicator of social deprivation Fdep09 was calculated to describe geographical inequalities in health based on municipality of residence. The higher the value, the more disadvantaged the population. Low SES was defined as Fdep09 &amp;gt; median value. Results Two-thousand-eight-hundred-and-forty consecutive patients with acute STEMI undergoing coronary angiography from January 2017 to December 2018 in Aquitaine were included. Patients with lower SES were more often initially referred to emergency departments of non-percutaneous coronary intervention capable centers whereas patients with higher SES were more often directly transferred to PCI centers by the mobile emergency care units as recommended by the most recent European guidelines (p&amp;lt;10–4). Patients with low SES had longer delays from symptom onset to first medical contact (FMC) (116 [60–119] vs 98 [55–233] min, p=0.0078) and were more likely to receive fibrinolysis (9.9 vs 5.2%, p&amp;lt;10–4). Linear regression modeling showed that each point of the Fdep09 index was associated with increase in the delay from symptom onset to FMC by a factor 1.1 (95% CI: 1.04–1.17, p&amp;lt;10–3) after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion SES inequality has negative influence on the delays in the management of acute STEMI patients. Efforts to raise awareness of suspicious signs of acute MI among individuals in lower SES could be valuable. FDep09 distribution Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Prehospital and in-hospital delays to care and associated factors in patients with STEMI: an observational study in 101 non-PCI hospitals in China

ObjectivesTo describe the prehospital and in-hospital delays to care and factors associated with the delays among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospitals in...

Study of acute coronary syndrome in post-menopausal women and age matched men in a non-percutaneous coronary intervention capable hospital

Study of acute coronary syndrome in post-menopausal women and age matched men in a non-percutaneous coronary intervention capable hospital

P846Discriminatory power of the grace score in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in the real world: results from the portuguese registry on acute coronary syndromes

Abstract Introduction Current clinical practice guidelines recommend risk stratification in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) upon admission to the hospital. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score was developed in a large multinational registry to predict both mortality and the combined events of death or reinfarction during the hospital stay and 6 months after discharge. Given the substantial regional variation and temporal changes in patient characteristics and management patterns, specially in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients, we sought to validate this risk score in a contemporary Portuguese population. Purpose To assess the discriminatory power of the GRACE risk score in a Portuguese contemporary cohort of patients with NSTEMI submitted to invasive strategy, regarding in-hospital mortality and the combined end-point of reinfarction and/or in-hospital mortality. Methods We included patients with NSTEMI submitted to coronary angiogram from the Portuguese Registry on Acute Coronary Syndrome (ProACS). For each patient, we calculated the GRACE risk score and classified them in low, intermediate or high risk, according to the cut-offs recommended in the guidelines. The discriminatory capacity of the GRACE risk score was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve. The primary endpoint was defined as the occurrence of reinfarction and in-hospital mortality, and the secondary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. A model with an AUC-ROC between 0.8 and 0.9 was considered to have a good capacity for discrimination. Results Among the 19.430 patients included in the ProACS between October 2010 and January 2019, we identified 7304 patients with NSTEMI that performed coronary angiogram and had the GRACE score calculated (37.6%). Patients were divided in three groups according to the GRACE score (group 1: 1–108; group 2: 109–140; group 3: 141–372), with 24.9% included in group 1, 33.0% in group 2, and 42.1% in group 3. Most patients were male (73.4%), with a mean age of 66±12 years, and 48.0% were admitted to non-percutaneous coronary intervention centers. In-hospital mortality was 1.0% and the primary endpoint occurred in 2.2% of the patients. The discriminatory capacity of the GRACE score in our population was good regarding in-hospital mortality: the area under the ROC curve was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.783–0.878), with the best cut-off of 148. The discriminatory capacity for the primary end-point was reasonable; the area under the ROC curve was 0.700 (95% CI 0.654–0.745), and the best cut-off was 164. Conclusions In our population of patients with NSTEMI submitted to an invasive strategy, the GRACE risk score presented a moderate discriminatory capacity for the occurrence of reinfarction and in-hospital, and a a good discriminatory power for in-hospital mortality.

Can WeChat group-based intervention reduce reperfusion time in patients with ST-segment myocardial infarction? A controlled before and after study

Background Pre-hospital identification of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and activation of the catheterization laboratory can reduce first medical contact to wire-crossing times. We conducted a study on providing 24-hour tele-electrocardiography services via the WeChat group application, aiming to reduce the time taken for diagnosis and treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Methods A controlled before and after study was conducted on 140 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients who were initially seen in non-percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospital and transferred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention at our percutaneous coronary intervention centre from 1 February to 31 October 2018. The WeChat group had 70 patients with pre-hospital electrocardiography transmission via WeChat and the control group had 70 patients who did not transfer pre-hospital electrocardiography. The reperfusion time of the two groups was compared to evaluate the effect of the WeChat group intervention. Results In the WeChat group versus the control group, the median symptom onset to first medical contact time was similar (129 vs 150 min, p > 0.05), but the median first medical contact to wire, door to wire and first medical contact to catheterization laboratory activity were significantly shorter (132 vs 171 minutes, p < 0.001; 60 vs 95 minutes, p < 0.001; 29 vs 74 minutes, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Pre-hospital electrocardiography transfer via a WeChat group resulted in earlier reperfusion of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients who were transferred from the non-percutaneous coronary intervention centre.

Effect of a Quality of Care Improvement Initiative in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome in Resource-Constrained Hospitals in China

Prior observational studies suggest that quality of care improvement (QCI) initiatives can improve the clinical outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). To our knowledge, this has never been demonstrated in a well-powered randomized clinical trial. To determine whether a clinical pathway-based, multifaceted QCI intervention could improve clinical outcomes among patients with ACS in resource-constrained hospitals in China. This large, stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial was conducted in nonpercutaneous coronary intervention hospitals across China and included all patients older than 18 years and with a final diagnosis of ACS who were recruited consecutively between October 2011 and December 2014. We excluded patients who died before or within 10 minutes of hospital arrival. We recruited 5768 and 0 eligible patients for the control and intervention groups, respectively, in step 1, 4326 and 1365 in step 2, 3278 and 3059 in step 3, 1419 and 4468 in step 4, and 0 and 5645 in step 5. The intervention included establishing a QCI team, training clinical staff, implementing ACS clinical pathways, sequential site performance assessment and feedback, online technical support, and patient education. The usual care was the control that was compared. The primary outcome was the incidence of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), comprising all-cause mortality, reinfarction/myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included 16 key performance indicators (KPIs) and the composite score developed from these KPIs. Of 29 346 patients (17 639 men [61%]; mean [SD] age for control, 64.1 [11.6] years; mean [SD] age for intervention, 63.9 [11.7] years) who were recruited from 101 hospitals, 14 809 (50.5%) were in the control period and 14 537 (49.5%) were in the intervention period. There was no significant difference in the incidence of in-hospital MACE between the intervention and control periods after adjusting for cluster and time effects (3.9% vs 4.4%; odds ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.75-1.15; P = .52). The intervention showed a significant improvement in the composite KPI score (mean [SD], 0.69 [0.22] vs 0.61 [0.23]; P < .01) and in 7 individual KPIs, including the early use of antiplatelet therapy and the use of appropriate secondary prevention medicines at discharge. No unexpected adverse events were reported. Among resource-constrained Chinese hospitals, introducing a multifaceted QCI intervention had no significant effect on in-hospital MACE, although it improved a few of the care process indicators of evidence-based ACS management. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01398228.

Another important time target in ST-elevation myocardial infarction management—door-in door-out time: Do we meet door-in door-out time targets?

Background: In non-PCI capable hospitals, another important time to be noticed in patients who have been referred for PCI-capable centers; is the time of doo-in door-out (DIDO), defined as the duration of time from patient discharge from the transferrring hospital. In our country, there is no clear information about the duration of DIDO time and transfer time. Consequently, very little is known about how frequently these targets can be met nationally. Objectives: This study aimed to measure door-in door-out time for ST-elevation myocardial infarction diagnosed patients who admitted to emergency department of a hospital capable of non-percutaneous coronary intervention and to measure whether door-in door-out time meets the guidelines. Methods: This single-center, prospective study was conducted in emergency department (non-percutaneous coronary intervention capable) between 1 August 2015 and 1 August 2016 with patients who presented to the emergency department and were diagnosed with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. All the times including door-in time, door to electrocardiogram time, door to emergency medical services activation time, door to defined percutaneous coronary intervention hospital, and finally door-in door-out time were measured and recorded. Results: During the study period, 135 of patients met the inclusion criteria and diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and referred to another hospital for percutaneous coronary intervention. When the median values (interquartile range of 25%–75%) of the time periods are examined, it is found door-in door-out time was 55 (43–74) min. It was found that the number of patients meeting the recommended duration of door-in door-out (30 min or less) was 12 (8.9%). Of the remaining 123 patients (91.1%), door-in door-out times were found to be over 30 min. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study showed that compliance with door-in door-out time is very poor and is far behind to met the criteria which is recommended by current guidelines.

Meta-Analysis Comparing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Pharmacoinvasive Therapy in Transfer Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting at non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable hospitals often need to be transferred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). This increases time to revascularization, leading to increased risk of in-hospital mortality. With recent focus on total ischemic time rather than door-to-balloon time as the principal determinant of outcomes in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients, pharmacoinvasive therapy (PIT) has gained attention as a possible improvement over PPCI in patients requiring transfer. Our objective was to observe how PIT stands against PPCI in terms of safety and efficacy. Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing PPCI to PIT. PIT was defined as administration of thrombolytic drugs followed by immediate PCI only in case of failed thrombolysis. Results from studies were pooled using a random-effects model. We identified 17 relevant studies (6 randomized controlled trials, 11 observational studies) including 13,037 patients. Overall, there was no significant difference in short-term mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20 [0.97 to 1.49]; I2 = 14.2%; p = 0.099); however, PIT significantly decreased short-term mortality (OR = 1.46 [1.08 to 1.96]; I2 = 0%; p = 0.01) in those studies with a symptom-onset-to-device time ≥200 minutes. There was a significantly lower risk reinfarction (OR = 0.69 [0.49 to 0.97]; I2 = 0%; p = 0.033) in the PPCI group, while the risk of cardiogenic shock was significantly higher (OR = 1.48 [1.13 to 1.94]; I2 = 0%; p = 0.005). In conclusion, PIT versus PPCI decisions should preferably be customized in patients presenting to non-PCI capable hospitals. Factors that need to be considered include symptom-onset to first medical contact time, expected time of transfer to a PCI-capable hospital, and patients risk factors.

Different role of achieved LDL-cholesterol and hs-CRP level in future cardiovascular disease outcomes in non-percutaneous coronary intervention patients with ongoing statin therapy of moderate intensity

Different role of achieved LDL-cholesterol and hs-CRP level in future cardiovascular disease outcomes in non-percutaneous coronary intervention patients with ongoing statin therapy of moderate intensity

PP-141 The Impact of Smartphone Technology on Early Diagnosis of Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction at Non-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Capable Centers in Turkey

PP-141 The Impact of Smartphone Technology on Early Diagnosis of Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction at Non-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Capable Centers in Turkey

Efficacy of Early Invasive Management After Fibrinolysis for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Relation to Initial Troponin Status

We examined whether the efficacy of an early invasive strategy after fibrinolysis in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) differs in relation to the initial troponin status. In the Trial of Routine Angioplasty and Stenting After Fibrinolysis to Enhance Reperfusion in Acute Myocardial Infarction (TRANSFER-AMI), patients with STEMI presenting to a non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-capable hospital who received fibrinolysis were randomized to either a pharmacoinvasive or standard strategy for subsequent angiography and PCI. In this post hoc subgroup analysis, we compared the efficacy of these strategies in relation to the initial troponin status at hospital presentation for the primary composite end point of mortality, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock at 30 days. We assessed the heterogeneity of treatment effect with initial troponin status using the Breslow-Day test and tested for interaction after adjustment for baseline Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score. Among 1059 patients, those with abnormal initial troponin levels (n= 514 [48.5%]) were older with worse Killip class, had a longer time from symptom onset to fibrinolysis, and had higher GRACE and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction risk scores. Patients with abnormal troponin levels had higher rates of the primary end point (17.5% vs 10.8%; P= 0.002) and cumulative mortality or reinfarction at 1 year (14.0% vs 8.1%; P= 0.003). In stratified analyses, pharmacoinvasive management reduced the primary end point only among patients with normal initial troponin status. However, there was no significant treatment heterogeneity (all P ≥ 0.10) and no interaction between initial troponin status and treatment assignment after adjusting for GRACE risk score. Patients with STEMI and abnormal initial troponin levels had worse short-term and long-term outcomes. Accounting for overall baseline risk with the GRACE risk score, troponin status did not modulate the efficacy of pharmacoinvasive management.

Field triage in the ambulance versus referral via non-percutaneous coronary intervention centre in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether direct ambulance transport of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospital (field triage) leads to a lower 30-day mortality compared to transport via a referral non-PCI hospital (referral via a spoke centre) in STEMI patients. We performed a systematic review of interventions. An experienced librarian searched in PubMed, EMBASE.com and The Cochrane Library (via Wiley) from January 1980-February 2013. Studies that examined field triage and/or referral via a spoke centre in STEMI patients treated with primary or facilitated PCI were included. Two authors independently conducted the study selection and data extraction. Multivariable frequency weighted logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of the type of transfer on the outcome measures. We identified 14 randomised clinical trials (RCTs), including 20 transfer groups and 4474 participants. Thirty-day mortality was lower in patients who underwent field triage (3.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-4.2) compared to patients who were referred via a spoke centre (4.7%; 95% CI 4.0-5.5). In multivariable frequency weighted logistic regression analysis, field triage was independently associated with a lower incidence of 30-day mortality (odds ratio (OR): 0.58; 95% CI 0.37-0.89). Field triage compared to referral via a spoke centre leads to a lower 30-day mortality in STEMI patients. Therefore, direct ambulance transport to a PCI hospital should become the transfer type for STEMI patients.

Reperfusion strategies in acute coronary syndromes.

The appropriate timing of angiography to facilitate revascularization is essential to optimize outcomes in patents with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndromes. Timely reperfusion of the infarct-related coronary artery in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction both with fibrinolysis or percutaneous coronary intervention minimizes myocardial damage, reduces infarct size, and decreases morbidity and mortality. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention is the preferred reperfusion method if it can be performed in a timely manner. Strategies to reduce health system-related delays in reperfusion include regionalization of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction care, performing prehospital ECGs, prehospital activation of the catheterization laboratory, bypassing geographically closer nonpercutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospitals, bypassing the percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospital emergency department, and early and consistent availability of the catheterization laboratory team. With implementation of such strategies, there has been significant improvement in process measures, including door-to-balloon time. However, despite reductions in door-to-balloon times, there has been little change during the past several years in in-hospital mortality, suggesting additional factors including patient-related delays, optimization of tissue-level perfusion, and cardioprotection must be addressed to improve patient outcomes further. Early angiography followed by revascularization when appropriate also reduces rates of death, MI, and recurrent ischemia in patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndromes, with the greatest benefits realized in the highest risk patients. Among patients with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndromes with multivessel disease, choice of revascularization modality should be made as in stable coronary artery disease, with a goal of complete ischemic revascularization.

Current use and clinical benefit of intraaortic balloon support in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock

Background: European guideline recommendations for the use of intraaortic balloon support in patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock have just been revised. We sought to evaluate current use and clinical benefit of intraaortic balloon support in clinical practice. Methods: Between 2007 and 2012 a total of 4065 consecutive patients presenting with STEMI were enrolled in the FITT-STEMI feasibility-trial. 6 primary percutaneous coronary intervention hospitals in Germany and 29 associated nonpercutaneous coronary intervention hospitals participated. Data from patient contact to balloon inflation were collected and analyzed. For the present study we evaluated the FITT-STEMI-trial and included all patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock in our analysis. Results: STEMI was complicated by cardiogenic shock in 10% (406/4065) of the patients. Hospital mortality in those patients was 44% (179/406). 40.4% (164/406) of the patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock were treated with intraaortic balloon counterpulsation. Hospital mortality did not differ between patients receiving or not receiving intraaortic ballon support (43.3% vs. 44.6%). Conclusion: Hospital mortality in patients with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock is still high, despite high use of early reperfusion therapy. Almost half of the patients admitted with STEMI complicated by cardiogenic shock received intraaortic balloon support. However, the use of intraaortic ballon support was not associated with a lower hospital mortality which supports the findings of the randomized IABP-Shock II trial.