non-ST-segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome Research Articles

The outcomes of occlusive vs non-occlusive culprit coronary artery in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS): A descriptive prospective study in a tertiary cardiac centre in Sudan

The outcomes of occlusive vs non-occlusive culprit coronary artery in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS): A descriptive prospective study in a tertiary cardiac centre in Sudan

MINOCA and Coronary Ectasia: a rare combination of causes of infarction

to describe a patient with myocardial ischemia with multiple causes. This clinical case describes a 58-year-old man with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, COPD and previous myocardial infarction (AMI). He went to the emergency room with chest pain and dyspnea. Findings included bibasal crackles, electrocardiogram with old anterior fibrosis, elevated NT-ProBNP, and echocardiogram with septoapical akinesia. During hospitalization, he experienced tachyarrhythmia and hemodynamic deterioration, undergoing electrical cardioversion (CVE). Non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) complicated with ventricular arrhythmia and acute pulmonary edema was diagnosed. Coronary angiography revealed coronary ectasias without obstructive lesions, but with mild stenosis in three vessels. The patient was successfully treated with non-invasive ventilation, diuretics, vasodilators and anticoagulation. The discharge was granted with the plan to further studies to optimize and guide treatment and finally the diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Arteries (MINOCA) and the presence of coronary ectasias was addressed. it is important to highlight the non-ischemic causes in MINOCA and the association between coronary ectasia and cardiovascular events, which is why we emphasize the need for more studies to better understand the relationship between these phenomena.

Correlation between Left Ventricular Pressure–Strain Loop and Severity in Patients with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome and Its Application Value in Short-Term Prognosis Evaluation

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of nonintrusive left ventricular pressure–strain loop (LV-PSL) for assessing overall myocardial function in sufferers with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) with or without coronary stenosis. The results of this research might provide insights into the diagnosis and management of NSTE-ACS. Methods All 268 sufferers with NSTE-ACS who were received by the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between June 2019 and June 2021 were enrolled. Sufferers with single or multiple extramural coronary diameter stenosis ≥70% on coronary angiography were defined as the stenosis group. All sufferers underwent noninvasive LV-PSL construction by using cuff blood pressure as the left ventricular pressure before coronary angiography, and the resulting images were imported and analysed with offline analysis software to obtain global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE). The correlation between severity Gensini score and myocardial work (MW) parameters was identified through Spearman analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off values for predicting coronary stenosis, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors affecting left ventricular myocardial function in sufferers of NSTE-ACS. The occurrence of adverse cardiac events during the follow-up period was recorded. Results Through the comparative analysis of general clinical data, significant differences were found between the stenosis and nonstenosis groups in terms of gender, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and smoking. However, statistical difference was observed only for hypertension (stenosis group 54.2%; p < 0.05) and hypercholesterolaemia (stenosis group 53.5%; p < 0.05). GLS (tz value 3.063), GCW (tz value 11.494), GWI (tz value 9.627) and GWE (tz value 12.780) reduced and GWW (tz value 11.504) increased in the stenosis group compared with those in the nonstenosis group. All differences were statistically significant (all p < 0.05). Severity Gensini scores were negatively correlated with GLS, GCW, GWI and GWE but positively correlated with GWW (p < 0.001). The ROC curve and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that GWE (odds ratio (OR) 2.881; 95% confidence internal (95% CI) 2.176–3.816; p < 0.001) had the largest area under the curve and greatest sensitivity for coronary stenosis diagnosis. GWE was (OR 2.875; 95% CI 2.217–3.727; p < 0.001) and (OR 2.881; 95% CI 2.176–3.816; p < 0.001). During an average follow-up period of 26.7 months, 19 sufferers experienced adverse cardiac events. GWE exhibited high predictive ability for identifying such events. Conclusions Noninvasive LV-PSL can identify whether sufferers of NSTE-ACS have acute coronary stenosis regardless of the location or size of the stenosis and can detect varying degrees of left ventricular dysfunction in such sufferers. Amongst indices, GWE had the highest diagnostic efficiency for diagnosing sufferers of NSTE-ACS with coronary stenosis and highest predictive ability for adverse cardiac events.

A biomarker for estimating no-reflow phenomenon in PCI-treated non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients: serum Cystatin C

Aims: Cystatin C (Cys-C) is a biochemical marker associated not only with renal function but also with inflammatory processes. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) no-reflow phenomenon (NRP) and Cys-C in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NST-ACS).
 Methods: This retrospective, single-center observational study consecutively enrolled patients who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of NST-ACS and underwent PCI between October 2021 and February 2022. Baseline characteristics, medications, admission laboratory parameters, and angiographic features were recorded. Logistic regression and sensitivity analyses were performed to identify parameters associated with NRP.
 Results: Out of 199 patients (mean age: 62.0±10.3, 59.8% male), 36 (18.1%) developed NRP. Patients who developed NRP had a lower ejection fraction (49.7±10.3% vs. 53.5±7.1%, p=0.046) and were less likely to be male (36.1% vs. 65.0%, p=0.001). Additionally, individuals with NRP exhibited higher blood urea and C-reactive protein levels than those without NRP (p1.1 mg/L for Cys-C determined NRP with 72.2% sensitivity and 66.9% specificity (area under the curve=0.711, p

Timing of Complete Multivessel Revascularization in Patients Presenting With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

BackgroundComplete revascularization of the culprit and all significant nonculprit lesions in patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and multivessel disease (MVD) reduces major adverse cardiac events, but optimal timing of revascularization remains unclear. ObjectivesThis study aims to compare immediate complete revascularization (ICR) and staged complete revascularization (SCR) in patients presenting with NSTE-ACS and MVD. MethodsThis prespecified substudy of the BIOVASC (Percutaneous Complete Revascularization Strategies Using Sirolimus Eluting Biodegradable Polymer Coated Stents in Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome and Multivessel Disease) trial included patients with NSTE-ACS and MVD. Risk differences of the primary composite outcome of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), unplanned ischemia-driven revascularization (UIDR), or cerebrovascular events and its individual components were compared between ICR and SCR at 1 year. ResultsThe BIOVASC trial enrolled 1,525 patients; 917 patients presented with NSTE-ACS, of whom 459 were allocated to ICR and 458 to SCR. Incidences of the primary composite outcome were similar in the 2 groups (7.9% vs 10.1%; risk difference 2.2%; 95% CI: −1.5 to 6.0; P = 0.15). ICR was associated with a significant reduction of MIs (2.0% vs 5.3%; risk difference 3.3%; 95% CI: 0.9 to 5.7; P = 0.006), which was maintained after exclusion of procedure-related MIs occurring during the index or staged procedure (2.0% vs 4.4%; risk difference 2.4%; 95% CI: 0.1 to 4.7; P = 0.032). UIDRs were also reduced in the ICR group (4.2% vs 7.8%; risk difference 3.5%; 95% CI: 0.4 to 6.6; P = 0.018). ConclusionsICR is safe in patients with NSTE-ACS and MVD and was associated with a reduction in MIs and UIDRs at 1 year.

Value of cardiodynamicsgram in early diagnosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome

To explore the value of cardiodynamicsgram (CDG) obtained from electrocardiogram (ECG) data by radial basis functionradial basis function (RBF) neural network in early diagnosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Retrospective analysis method was used. Patients with chest pain as the main initial symptom in the emergency department of Baoan District People's Hospital of Shenzhen from October 2021 to September 2022 were enrolled. Baseline data were collected, including gender, age, smoking history, family history of coronary heart disease and history of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis. The first 12-lead ECG was recorded after admission to the emergency department, and electrocardiodynamics analysis was performed to generate CDG. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to analyze the value of CDG and ECG in the early diagnosis of ACS and non-ST segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS). Sensitivity, specificity, area under the ROC curve (AUC), and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated. CDG and coronary angiography results of 3 patients with ACS with normal ECG were observed and analyzed. Non-ACS patients with normal ECG but positive CDG were followed for 30 days for adverse cardiovascular events. A total of 384 patients with chest pain were included, including 169 patients with ACS and 215 patients without ACS. The proportion of male (87.0% vs. 53.0%), smoking history (37.9% vs. 12.1%), hypertension (46.2% vs. 22.3%), diabetes (24.3% vs. 7.9%), hyperlipidemia (55.0% vs. 14.0%) and history of atherosclerosis (22.5% vs. 2.3%) in ACS group were significantly higher than those in non-ACS group (all P < 0.05). The ROC curve showed that the AUC of CDG diagnosis of ACS was higher than that of ECG [AUC (95%CI): 0.88 (0.66-0.76) vs. 0.71 (0.84-0.92)], the sensitivity was 92.8%, 78.6%, and the specificity was 83.3%, 64.2%, respectively. The AUC of CDG diagnosis of NSTE-ACS was higher than that of ECG [AUC (95%CI): 0.85 (0.80-0.90) vs. 0.63 (0.56-0.69)], the sensitivity was 87.1%, 61.3%, and the specificity was 83.3%, 64.2%, respectively. CDG of 3 patients with ACS with normal ECG showed disordered state, and coronary angiography showed ≥70% stenosis of major coronary branches. Of 215 non-ACS patients, 20 had a normal ECG but positive CDG, and 3 developed ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) within 30 days, and 2 developed unstable angina (UA) within 30 days. CDG has high value in early diagnosis of ACS patients and is expected to become an important means of early diagnosis of ACS in emergency.

Computed tomography angiography or invasive coronary angiography in patients with lowto intermediate risk acute coronary syndrome — a single-center study

Aim. To evaluate the strategy of using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with low-to-intermediate risk of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) in relation to early (in-hospital) and long-term prognosis in comparison with standard management tactics.Material and methods. The study included 259 patients (men (M), 47,9%, mean age, 62,2±9,4 years). Patients in group 1 (n=148 people, M 46,6%, mean age 61,99±9,92 years) underwent CCTA to assess coronary involvement, and patients in group 2 (n=111 people, M 49,5%, mean age 62,4±8,6 years) — invasive coronary angiography (ICA). The follow-up lasted 18 months.Results. Patients in both groups were comparable in age, concomitant chronic diseases and smoking. Patients in the CCTA group compared with the ICA group had lower GRACE score and lower values of high-sensitivity Troponin I. In 85 patients (57,4%) of group 1 there was no coronary involvement, while 41 patients (27,7%) had &lt;50% stenosis, 22 patients (14,9%) — &gt;50% stenosis in at least one coronary artery. In group 2, the majority of patients also had non-involved coronary vessels (n=76; 68,5%), while hemodynamically insignificant (20-40%) and significant lesions were detected in 20 patients (12,3%) and 15 people (13,5%), respectively. In group 1, 20 patients were referred for ICA as follows: 10 patients underwent percutaneous coronary interventions; 2 patients had multivessel disease; in 4 patients, intraoperative fractional flow reserve revealed hemodynamically insignificant stenoses; in 4 remaining patients, no significant lesions were detected. All-cause mortality was 4,05% in the CCTA group, and 7,2% in the ICA group (p=0,28). In the CCTA group, cardiovascular mortality was 0%, and in the ICA group — 0,9% (p=0,43).Conclusion. CCTA in patients with low-to-intermediate risk ACS is not inferior to the standard tactics for managing these patients and significantly reduces the need for iCAG.

Impact of Short-Term Exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) and Ozone (O3) on Hospital Admissions for Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

In the context of recent climate change, global warming, industrial growth, and population expansion, air pollution has emerged as a significant environmental and human health risk. This study employed a multivariable Poisson regression analysis to examine the association between short-term exposure to atmospheric pollutants (nitrogen dioxide-NO2, sulfur dioxide -SO2, ozone-O3, and particulate matter with a diameter less than 10 μm-PM10) and hospital admissions for non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Daily data on NSTE-ACS admissions, air pollutants, and meteorological variables were collected from January 2019 to December 2021. Elevated NO2 concentrations were associated with a higher risk of NSTE-ACS hospitalization, notably in spring (OR: 1.426; 95% CI: 1.196-1.701). Hypertensive individuals (OR: 1.101; 95% CI: 1.007-1.204) and those diagnosed with unstable angina (OR: 1.107; 95%CI: 1.010-1.213) exhibited heightened susceptibility to elevated NO2 concentrations. A 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2 during spring at lag 07 (OR: 1.013; 95% CI: 1.001-1.025) and O3 in winter at lag 05 (OR: 1.007; 95% CI: 1.001-1.014) was correlated with an elevated daily occurrence of NSTE-ACS admissions. Short-term exposure to various air pollutants posed an increased risk of NSTE-ACS hospitalization, with heightened sensitivity observed in hypertensive patients and those with unstable angina. Addressing emerging environmental risk factors is crucial to mitigate substantial impacts on human health and the environment.

Clinical predictors of coronary artery bypass graft surgery in patients hospitalized for Non-ST acute coronary syndrome - Buenos Aires I and ReSCAR22 registries.

To identify predictors of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) requirement as a revascularization method in in real-world non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients. . An individual pre-specified analysis of patients with NSTE-ACS was performed from two prospective Argentine registries between 2017 and 2022. We analyzed the difference in baseline characteristics between patients who required CABG and those who did not require this intervention. Then, a logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors in patients who received CABG as a method of revascularization. A total of 1848 patients with a median age of 54.8 (interquartile range [IQR]: 53.7-56) years and an ejection fraction of 42.1% (IQR: 41.2-43.1) were included. A total of 233 patients required CABG (12.6%). Baseline characteristics between the two groups were similar, except in patients requiring CABG, who were younger (51.5 vs. 55.7 years; p=0.010), more frequently diabetic (38.2% vs. 25.7%; p=0.001) and male (90.1% vs. 73.7%; p=0.001). In addition, they had, to a lesser extent, previous cardiac surgery (2.1% vs. 11.2%; p=0.011). After multivariable analysis, the following were independently associated with CABG: age (Odds Ratio [OR]: 0.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98-0.99; p=0.008), male sex (OR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.87-5.1; p=0.001), history of previous CABG (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05-0.30; p=0.001) and diabetes (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.31- 2.57; p=0.001). In this analysis of two NSTEACS registries, younger age, male sex, a diagnosis of diabetes and the absence of previous surgery were independent predictors of the requirement for inpatient CABG.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio Value as a Predictor of Troponin Elevation in Patients with Non-ST Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a prominent contributor to mortality and morbidity on a global scale, consistently ranking within the top five primary causes. Inflammation is one of the many elements that have a role in the pathophysiology of the development and destabilization of plaque atherosclerosis in ACS. Troponin is a component of a biomarker that signals damage to the heart muscle in ACS patients; however, at the present time, not all medical facilities are able to perform troponin testing. An acute myocardial infarction begins with an initial inflammatory process that generates proinflammatory cytokines at the cellular level. This can be evaluated by the NLR through peripheral blood tests. The NLR as an indication of systemic inflammation has been demonstrated to be associated with poor clinical outcomes, an increased risk of complications, and mortality in ACS patients. In addition, several studies showed that the NLR has prognostic value in patients with ACS. The NLR is a mix of inflammatory markers, which can be a predictor of increased troponin in cases of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) in an emergency room.

Aspirin-free strategy for percutaneous coronary intervention in acute coronary syndrome based on the subtypes of acute coronary syndrome and high bleeding risk: the STOPDAPT-3 trial.

High bleeding risk (HBR) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) subtypes are critical in determining bleeding and cardiovascular event risk after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In 4476 ACS patients enrolled in the STOPDAPT-3, where the no-aspirin and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) strategies after PCI were randomly compared, the pre-specified subgroup analyses were conducted based on HBR/non-HBR and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)/non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS). The co-primary bleeding endpoint was BARC type 3 or 5, and the co-primary cardiovascular endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or ischemic stroke at 1 month. Irrespective of the subgroups, the effect of no-aspirin compared with DAPT was not significant for the bleeding endpoint (HBR [N=1803]: 7.27% and 7.91%, HR 0.91, 95%CI 0.65-1.28; non-HBR [N=2673]: 3.40% and 3.65%, HR 0.93, 95%CI 0.62-1.39; Pinteraction=0.94; STEMI [N=2553]: 6.58% and 6.56%, HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.74-1.35; NSTE-ACS [N=1923]: 2.94% and 3.64%, HR 0.80, 95%CI 0.49-1.32; Pinteraction=0.45), and for the cardiovascular endpoint (HBR: 7.87% and 5.75%, HR 1.39, 95%CI 0.97-1.99; non-HBR: 2.56% and 2.67%, HR 0.96, 95%CI 0.60-1.53; Pinteraction=0.22; STEMI: 6.07% and 5.46%, HR 1.11, 95%CI 0.81-1.54; NSTE-ACS: 3.03% and 1.71%, HR 1.78, 95%CI 0.97-3.27; Pinteraction=0.18). In patients with ACS undergoing PCI, the no-aspirin strategy compared to the DAPT strategy failed to reduce major bleeding events irrespective of HBR and ACS subtypes. The numerical excess risk of the no-aspirin strategy relative to the DAPT strategy for cardiovascular events was observed in patients with HBR and in patients with NSTE-ACS.

Pre-hospital rule-out of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome by a single troponin: final one-year outcomes of the ARTICA randomised trial.

The healthcare burden of acute chest pain is enormous. In the randomised ARTICA trial we showed that pre-hospital identification of low-risk patients and rule-out of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) with point-of-care (POC) troponin measurement reduces 30-day healthcare costs with low major adverse cardiac events (MACE) incidence. Here we present the final one-year results of the ARTICA trial. Low-risk patients with suspected NSTE-ACS were randomised to pre-hospital rule-out with POC troponin measurement or emergency department (ED) transfer. Primary one-year outcome was healthcare costs. Secondary outcomes were safety, quality of life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness. Safety was defined as one-year MACE, consisting of ACS, unplanned revascularisation or all-cause death. QoL was measured with EuroQol-5D-5L questionnaires. Cost-effectiveness was defined as one-year healthcare costs difference per QoL difference. Follow-up was completed in all 863 patients. Healthcare costs were significantly lower in the pre-hospital strategy (€1932±€2784vs €2649±€2750), mean difference €717 (95% confidence interval [CI] €347 to €1087; P<0.001). In the total population, one-year MACE rate was comparable between groups (5.1% [22/434] in the pre-hospital strategy vs 4.2% [18/429] in the ED strategy; P=0.54). In the ruled-out ACS population, one-year MACE remained low (1.7% [7/419] vs 1.4% [6/417]), risk difference 0.2% (95% CI -1.4% to 1.9%; P=0.79). QoL showed no significant difference between strategies. Pre-hospital rule-out of NSTE-ACS with POC troponin testing in low-risk patients is cost-effective, expressed by a sustainable healthcare costs reduction and no significant effect on QoL. One-year MACE remained low for both strategies. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05466591, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform: NTR7346.

Time to coronary catheterization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome and high Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score.

Current guidelines recommend an early (<24 h) invasive coronary angiography (ICA) strategy in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score over 140. Evidence for this recommendation is based on older trials. Between 1 February 2016 and 31 July 2021, 1767 patients with a primary diagnosis of NSTE-ACS without indication for urgent ICA underwent ICA during index hospitalization. Six hundred and fifty-five patients underwent early invasive ICA (within 24 h) and 1112 underwent late ICA (between 24 h and 1 week). One hundred and seven patients had a GRACE risk score of 140 or above and 1660 had a GRACE risk score under 140. The primary composite outcome was all-cause mortality, stroke, and recurrent myocardial infarction (MI). Median time from admission to ICA was 13.3 h (IQR 6.0-20.6) for the early group and 59.9 h for the late group (IQR 23.5-96.3). There was no difference between the early and late ICA groups in the primary composite outcome [late catheterization >24 h hazard ratio 1.196, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.969-1.475, P -value 0.096]. A multivariable Cox regression model for the composite outcome revealed no difference between the early and late ICA groups (late catheterization >24 h hazard ratio 1.0735, 95% CI 0.862-1.327, P -value 0.512) with no effect for performing early ICA in patients with GRACE score over 140 (hazard ratio 1.291, 95% CI 0.910-1.831, P -value 0.151). An early ICA strategy in patients with NSTE-ACS patients and GRACE risk score over 140, compared with late ICA, was not associated with improved composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke at 1 year.

Prehospital risk assessment and direct transfer to a percutaneous coronary intervention centre in suspected acute coronary syndrome

ObjectivePrehospital risk stratification and triage are currently not performed in patients suspected of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). This may lead to prolonged time to revascularisation, increased duration of...

Differences in risk and costs between prehospital identified low-risk men and women with chest pain

ObjectivePrehospital rule-out of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) in low-risk patient with a point-of-care troponin measurement reduces healthcare costs with similar safety to standard transfer to the hospital. Risk...

Platelet to albumin ratio: A risk factor related to prognosis in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

BackgroundAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCAD) is recognized as a chronic subclinical systemic inflammatory condition. The platelet-albumin ratio (PAR) has shown promise in prognosticating various inflammation-related disorders. Our study aimed to assess the connection between PAR and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-treated patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). MethodsPAR, derived from platelet and albumin counts, categorized participants into four quartiles. The primary outcome was composite MACE, encompassing all-cause mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemia-driven revascularization. Secondary outcomes comprised individual MACE components. Multivariate Cox regression evaluated PAR's independent impact on adverse events. The non-linear relationship between the PAR value and MACE was explored using a restricted cubic spline (RCS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Subgroup analysis was used to determine the effect of PAR on MACE in different subgroups. ResultsEnrolling 1391 NSTE-ACS patients, high PAR quartiles were correlated with elevated MACE rates (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1: 33.5% vs. 10.2%, p < 0.001). PAR was revealed to be independently related to an increased risk of MACE (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1: HR, 2.04 [95% CI, 1.34–3.08], p = 0.001). RCS indicated a positive PAR-MACE relationship. The AUC of PAR for the 3-year MACE was 0.659 (95% CI: 0.626–0.677, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed no significant interactions across subsets. ConclusionPAR independently predicted MACE risk in PCI-treated NSTE-ACS patients.

Impact of the infarct-related coronary artery on inflammatory profiles and outcomes in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes: insights from a prospective multicenter real-world cohort

Abstract Background Patients with a total coronary occlusion (TCO) of the infarct-related artery (IRA) frequently present as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, patients presenting as non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) on a routine ECG may actually have TCO at angiography, typically involving left circumflex (LCx) or right coronary artery (RCA) as the IRA. These patients might be at higher risk of MACE due to a delayed diagnosis and, consequently, an inappropriately prolonged time window to revascularization. Herein, we aimed to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of IRA location in patients presenting with ACS enrolled in a real-world prospective cohort. Methods Between 2009 and 2017, 4,787 ACS patients were prospectively recruited in the SPUM-ACS prospective study. The primary outcome measure was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke at one year. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models were fit using backward selection. Coronary angiographies were reviewed by operators of each site to assess the IRA location and TCO was defined in the presence of TIMI 0 flow. Results 4,542 ACS patients (95% of the total cohort) had angiographic studies available. Patients with left main (n=75) and bypass graft (n=55) as culprit artery were excluded and a final sample size of 4,412 patients were included in the present analysis; 56% (n=2469) presented with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 44% (n=1943) with NSTE-ACS. Overall, the IRA was the right coronary artery (RCA) in 33.9% (n=1494), the left-anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in 45.6% (n=2013) and the left circumflex (LCx) in 20.5% (n=905). In those presenting with STEMI, patients with LAD as IRA had an increased risk of MACE (1.43, 95% CI 1.02-2.00, p = 0.04) as compared to those with RCA and LCx. In those presenting with NSTE-ACS, LCx and RCA as IRA had more frequently a TCO compared to the LAD (27% and 24%, respectively, vs. 9%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Features of patients with NSTE-ACS associated with TCO of the IRA included elevated lymphocyte and neutrophil counts, higher hs-CRP and hs-TnT, lower eGFR, and absent history of MI. Among patients with NSTE-ACS, LCx as IRA but not LAD and RCA was associated with an increased risk of MACE at one 1 year (fully adjusted HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.10-2.59, p=0.02; reference: RCA and LAD). Conclusion Among all ACS patients included in the SPUM-ACS, those with NSTE-ACS at initial ECG and RCA and LCx involvement had more often a TCO of the IRA, but only LCx as IRA was an independent predictor of MACE during follow-up. Hs-CRP levels, lymphocytes and neutrophils counts, hs-TnT, eGFR and history of MI at admission were found to be independent predictors of IRA occlusion at angiography. Thus, NSTE-ACS patients showing such features should further be evaluated for timely PCI.

Validation of the GRACE 3.0 score and redefinition of the risk threshold for early invasive treatment in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: a modelling study from five countries

Abstract Background Clinical use of the GRACE scoring system is recommended across international guidelines to guide early treatment stratification in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Recently, the machine learning-based GRACE 3.0 score was derived from patients with NSTE-ACS undergoing contemporary treatment approaches. External validation studies and the reassessment of clinical risk categories are lacking. Purpose We aimed to evaluate the predictive performance of the GRACE 3.0 score and to explore clinically meaningful risk groups in contemporary patients with NSTE-ACS. Methods We studied the GRACE 3.0 score in 8070 patients with NSTE-ACS in contemporary ACS cohorts from Denmark (VERDICT, n=2147), Germany (Heidelberg-ACS, n=2034), Italy and Spain (CORALYS, n=1650), and Switzerland (SPUM-ACS, n=2239). Heterogeneity in the treatment effect of very early invasive management (within 12 hours) or standard invasive management (within 48 to 72 hours) on the primary composite outcome of all-cause death, nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction, hospital admission for refractory myocardial ischemia, or hospital admission for heart failure in relation to baseline mortality risk was assessed in 2147 patients enrolled in the VERDICT trial who were randomized to different timing of invasive treatment. Results The GRACE 3.0 score showed excellent discriminatory properties with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for in-hospital death of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.85–0.93) in the total study cohort. Similar results were observed in Denmark (AUC 0.93, 95% CI, 0.88–0.98), Germany (AUC 0.90, 95% CI, 0.85–0.94), and Italy and Spain (AUC 0.85, 95% CI, 0.77–0.94), and Switzerland (AUC 0.93, 95% CI, 0.86–1.00). Early invasive treatment reduced the composite endpoint (absolute risk reduction: 0.12, 95% CI, 0.03–0.21, P=0.011) in patients at high risk (≥1.7%), but not in those with lower risk profiles (P interaction=0.033). Based on this new high-risk threshold, GRACE 3.0 stratified 475 (42.2%) more patients into the high-risk group, as compared to traditional GRACE risk categories (P&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion GRACE 3.0 shows unprecedented predictive performance in patients with NSTE-ACS. In the context of a comprehensive clinical evaluation, GRACE 3.0 can support clinical decision making for the timing of invasive treatment. The high-risk group of patients with NSTE-ACS who benefit from early invasive treatment is substantially larger than previously described.ROC curve and risk groupsRestratfication towards high risk group

Time to coronary catheterization in patients with NST-ACS and high GRACE score

Abstract Introduction Current European guidelines recommend early (&amp;lt;24 hours) invasive coronary angiography (ICA) strategy in certain high-risk non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients, including those with GRACE score over 140. The evidence for this recommendation is based on older trials using pre high-sensitive troponin (HsTn) biomarkers and non-contemporary therapy. Purpose To assess the association between GRACE score over 140, timing of ICA and their interaction on clinical outcomes in patients with ACS with no ST elevation, using (HsTn) as part of the calculated GRACE risk score. Methods and results Between February 1st 2016 and July 31th 2021, 1767 patients with a primary diagnosis of NSTE-ACS without indication for urgent ICA, underwent ICA during index hospitalization. 655 (37%) patients underwent early-invasive ICA (within 24 hours) and 1112 (63%) underwent late ICA (between 24 hours and 1 week). 107 patients had a GRACE risk score of 140 or above and 1660 had a GRACE risk score under 140. The primary composite outcome was all-cause mortality, stroke, and recurrent MI. The median time from admission to ICA was 13.3 hours (IQR 6.0,20.6) for the early group and 59.9 hours for the late group (IQR 23.5,96.3). The vast majority of patients had re-vascularization (75.1%) performed, mostly by PCI (69.4%). There was no difference between the early and late ICA groups in the primary composite outcome (late Catheterization &amp;gt;24h HR 1.196, 95% CI 0.969-1.475, P-value 0.096). Using a multivariable cox regression model for the composite outcome revealed no difference between the early and late ICA groups (late Catheterization &amp;gt;24h HR 1.0735, 95% CI 0.862-1.327, P-value 0.512) with no effect for performing early ICA in patients with GRACE score over 140 (HR 1.291 95% CI 0.910-1.831, p-0.151). Conclusion Early ICA strategy in patients with NSTE-ACS patients and GRACE risk score over 140, compared with late ICA, was not associated with improved composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke at 1 year.

GDF-15 is associated with worse ischemic and bleeding outcomes in the acute phase and during follow-up in patients with acute coronary syndrome: insights from the TRACER trial

Abstract Introduction Growth differentiating factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress responsive cytokine that increases with age. GDF-15 has been associated with mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure and bleeding in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable coronary artery disease. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of GDF-15 and their associations with risk of cardiovascular events and bleeding in patients with ACS in the acute setting and after one month. Methods Venous blood samples were obtained at the index event in 6800 patients and again after one month in 5313 patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) randomized to vorapaxar vs placebo on top of dual antiplatelet treatment in the TRACER study. The GDF-15 level was centrally measured by the ROCHE ELISA assay in stored plasma aliquots. The main cardiovascular (CV) endpoint in this substudy was the composite of CV death, MI and ischemic stroke and main safety endpoint was non-procedural major or minor bleeding according to Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) classification. Cox-regression models were used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted associations between log-transformed GDF-15 and outcomes. Adjustments were made for study treatment and well-established clinical CV risk factors. All corresponding models but without the biomarker was fitted and a concordance index (c-index) calculated. A likelihood-ratio test was used to test for differences between the two c-indices. Results Median concentration of GDF-15 at baseline and after one month were 1226 ng/L and 1181 ng/L, respectively. The correlation between GDF-15 concentrations at baseline and after one month was r=0.80 (Figure 1). The levels of GDF-15 were independently associated with older age, presence of diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction and smoking. GDF-15 levels both at baseline and after one month were independently associated with higher rate of CV death, MI and ischemic stroke and with non-procedural TIMI major or minor bleeding (Figure 2). At baseline the addition of GDF-15 levels to the multivariable model for subsequent CV death, MI or ischemic stroke increased the c-index from 0.656 to 0.668 (P&amp;lt;0.001), and for bleeding from 0.715 to 0.719 (P=0.037). At one month adding GDF-15 levels increased the c-index from 0.711 to 0.722 (P&amp;lt;0.001) for CV death, MI or ischemic stroke and from 0.735 to 0.783 (P&amp;lt;0.001) for bleeding. Conclusions In patients with NSTE-ACS levels of GDF-15 are independently associated with CV death, MI or ischemic stroke and non-procedural bleeding and contribute prognostic information both at the index event and after one month. Levels of GDF-15 remain stable over time and provide similar prognostic information in the acute and follow-up setting.Fig.1 Correlation GDF-15 baseline and 1mFig.2 Non-linear cox-regression