Optimal Medical Therapy In Patients Research Articles

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Optimal Medical Therapy in Patients with Chronic Total Occlusion: A Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) is a prevalent finding in patients with coronary artery disease and is associated with increased mortality. Prior reports on the efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to optimal medical therapy (OMT) were controversial. Following the emergence of recently published new evidence, a meta-analysis is warranted. The current meta-analysis assessed the effects of PCI compared to OMT in the treatment of CTO. Methods: A structured literature search was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled studies of interventions were eligible. The primary outcome was an accumulated composite of cardiac mortality, myocardial infarction and target vessel/lesion revascularization events. Results: Thirty-two studies reporting on 11260 patients were included. Of these, 5712 (50.7%) were assigned to the PCI and 5548 (49.3%) were allocated to the OMT group. The primary outcome occurred in 14.6% of the PCI and 20.1% of the OMT group (12 trials, OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.88, p = 0.005, I2 = 67%). Subgrouping demonstrated a consistent reduction in the primary outcome for the PCI group in RCTs (six trials, OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.99, p = 0.05). The primary outcome reduction was irrespective of the study design, and it was replicable in sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Advantages in other outcomes were rather related to statistical pooling effects and dominated by observational data. Conclusions: CTO-PCI was associated with improved patient-oriented primary outcome compared to OMT in a study-level meta-analysis. This composite outcome effect was mainly driven by target vessel treatment, but a significant reduction in mortality and myocardial infarction was observed, irrespectively. These findings have hypothesis-generating implications. Future RCTs with adequate statistical power are eagerly awaited.

The importance of optimal medical therapy in patients undergoing lower extremity bypass

Purpose of review The prevalence of peripheral artery disease is growing, with millions of people globally suffering its end-stage manifestation, chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Revascularization procedures like lower extremity bypass play a vital role in limb salvage but optimal medical therapy is essential for maximizing the benefit of these procedures and reducing long-term risks of cardiovascular and limb-related events. Recent findings Patients with PAD who undergo lower extremity bypass warrant a comprehensive approach to risk factor modification for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular and limb-related complications. This includes appropriate use of high-intensity statins, smoking cessation, and management of hypertension and diabetes. Additionally, antiplatelet therapy is indicated for all patients with CLTI and additional treatment with low-dose anticoagulation may also be beneficial. Summary Optimal medical therapy is essential for optimizing outcomes in patients with PAD undergoing lower extremity bypass.

Treatment Strategies for Chronic Coronary Heart Disease with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction or Preserved Ejection Fraction-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

We conducted a systematic search to identify all randomized trials directly comparing invasive strategies with optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients diagnosed with chronic CHD. Data from these trials were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. The primary outcome assessed was the all-cause mortality, while secondary endpoints included cardiovascular (CV) death, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and unplanned revascularization. This study was designed to assess the benefits of both invasive strategies and OMT in patients with preserved LV function and in those with LV systolic dysfunction. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Review Manager (RevMan) software, version 5.4.1 (The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020). Twelve randomized studies enrolling 13,912 patients were included in the final analysis. Among the patients with chronic CHD and preserved LV systolic function, revascularization did not demonstrate a reduction in all-cause mortality (8.52% vs. 8.45%, p = 0.45), CV death (3.41% vs. 3.62%, p = 0.08), or the incidence of MI (9.88% vs. 10.49%, p = 0.47). However, the need for unplanned myocardial revascularization was significantly lower in the group following the initial invasive approach compared to patients undergoing OMT (14.75% vs. 25.72%, p < 0.001). In contrast, the invasive strategy emerged as the preferred treatment modality for patients with ischemic LV systolic dysfunction. This approach demonstrated lower rates of all-cause mortality (40.61% vs. 46.52%, p = 0.004), CV death (28.75% vs. 35.82%, p = 0.0004), and MI (8.19% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.03). In individuals diagnosed with chronic CHD and preserved LV EF, the initial invasive approach did not demonstrate a clinical advantage over OMT. Conversely, in patients with ischemic LV systolic dysfunction, myocardial revascularization was found to reduce the risks of CV events and enhance the overall outcomes. These findings hold significant clinical relevance for optimizing treatment strategies in patients with chronic CHD, contingent upon myocardial contractility status.

Mechanical thrombectomy in low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Due to their poor natural history and lack in level-I evidence, patients with large vessel occlusion and large core infarcts (Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomographic Score <6) have been excluded from receiving mechanical thrombectomy. This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to summarize current evidence from published randomized controlled trials to compare the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy with optimal medical therapy in treating stroke patients with large core infarcts. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials investigating the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy vs optimal medical therapy in patients presenting with large vessel occlusion and large infarcts. Basic demographic and comorbidities were assessed, and clinical outcomes were compared, including modified Rankin scale 0-3, and 0-2 at 3 months, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, decompressive hemicortectomy, and 90-day mortality. Three randomized controlled trials totaling 1011 patients (501 and 510 in the medical management and mechanical thrombectomy arm, respectively) were included. Patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy had significantly higher odds of achieving better functional outcomes at 3 months: Modified Rankin scale 0-2 (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 2.101-4.4021, p < 0.0001) and modified Rankin scale 0-3 (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.67-2.89, p < 0.0001) as compared to those receiving optimal medical management. There were no differences between groups in 90-day mortality (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.70-1.23, p = 0.60), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 1.89, 95% = CI 0.95-3.77, p = 0.07) or decompressive hemicraniectomy (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.69-2.25, p = 0.46). Mechanical thrombectomy for patients with large infarcts is associated with improved functional outcomes and a similar safety profile compared to optimal medical management. Ongoing trials will help better refine the target population that benefits the most from treatment.

Impact of Optimal Medical Therapy on Reintervention and Survival Rates after Endovascular Infrapopliteal Revascularization.

Within this single-center cohort study, we investigated the impact of optimal medical therapy on all-cause mortality, major amputation-free survival and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD TLR) in 552 patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing endovascular infrapopliteal revascularization. From the overall cohort, 145 patients were treated for intermittent claudication (IC) and 407 were treated for critical limb ischemia (CLI). Optimal medical therapy (OMT) was defined as the presence of at least one antiplatelet agent, statin and ACE inhibitor or AT-2 antagonist based on guideline recommendations. About half (55.5%) of all patients were prescribed OMT at discharge, with a higher proportion in claudicants (62.1%) versus CLI patients (53.2%). Over three years of follow-up, survival was significantly better in patients with IC (80.6 ± 3.8% vs. 59.9 ± 2.9%; p < 0.001). There was a signal towards better survival in those patients receiving OMT (log-rank p = 0.09). Similarly, amputation-free survival (AFS) was significantly better in patients with IC (p = 0.004) and also in patients receiving OMT (78.8 ± 3.6%) compared to that in those without OMT (71.5 ± 4.2%; p = 0.046). Freedom from CD TLR within three years was significantly better in the IC group (p = 0.002), but there were no statistically significant differences for CD TLR dependent on the presence of OMT (p = 0.79). In conclusion, there is still an important underuse of OMT in patients undergoing infrapopliteal interventions, which is even more pronounced in CLI despite a signal for its benefit regarding all-cause mortality and major amputation-free survival.

Revascularisation for Ischaemic Cardiomyopathy.

Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Coronary artery bypass grafting appears to provide clinical benefits such as improvements in quality of life, reductions in readmissions and MI, and favourable effects on long-term mortality; however, there is a significant short-term procedural risk when left ventricular function is severely impaired, which poses a conundrum for many patients. Could percutaneous coronary intervention provide the same benefits without the hazard of surgery? There have been no randomised studies to support this practice until recently. The REVIVED-BCIS2 trial (NCT01920048) assessed the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention in addition to optimal medical therapy in patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction and stable coronary artery disease. This review examines the trial results in detail, suggests a pathway for investigation and revascularisation in ischaemic cardiomyopathy, and explores some of the remaining unanswered questions.

Revascularization in Ischemic Heart Failure with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is estimated to account for over 60% of heart failure (HF) patients and is associated with worse outcomes than a non-ischemic etiology. In patients with ischemic HF, myocardial revascularization has multiple mechanisms of action based on the concept that blood flow restoration of viable but underperfused myocardium might reverse the hibernation of the left ventricle and prevent future spontaneous myocardial infarction, which could potentially improve patients' outcomes. Here, we aim to elaborate on indications, timing, type, and impact of completeness of revascularization in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ischemic etiology. For decades, coronary artery bypass graft surgery has been the pilar of revascularization in patents with multivessel CAD and reduced EF. Recent development in the interventional field led to overall increase of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) adoption in treatment of ischemic HFrEF. However, recently published randomized study demonstrated no added benefit of PCI over optimal medical therapy in patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy challenging the beneficial role of revascularization in this setting. Since the decision on revascularization in ischemic cardiomyopathy frequently cannot be made based strictly on guidelines, tailored treatment strategy should be mandated with the essential role of multidisciplinary approach. These decisions should be based on capability to achieve complete revascularization, with the consideration that in certain situations it may not be accomplished.

Relationship between postoperative atrial fibrillation and its recurrence after lung resection.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently occurs after pulmonary resection and is commonly referred to as postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). This study explored whether or not POAF is related to the recurrence of AF in the chronic phase. A total of 1311 consecutive patients without a history of AF who underwent lung resection based on a diagnosis of lung tumor were retrospectively analyzed. POAF occurred in 46 patients (3.5%), and a logistic regression analysis revealed that the age (p < 0.05), history of hyperthyroidism (p < 0.05), and major lung resection (p < 0.05) were independent predictors of POAF. AF events in the chronic phase were observed in 15 (32.6%) and 45 (3.6%) patients with and without POAF, respectively. A Cox regression analysis revealed that POAF was the only independent predictor of AF development in the chronic phase (p < 0.01). The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test revealed that the cumulative incidence of AF in the chronic phase was significantly higher in patients with POAF than in those without POAF (p < 0.01). POAF was an independent predictor for AF in the chronic phase after lung resection. Further investigations including cases of catheter ablation and optimal medical therapy for patients with POAF after lung resection are needed.

Use of optimal medical therapy in patients with diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Insights from a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

To examine improvement in the use of optimal medical therapy (OMT) for secondary prevention in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and diabetes. Patients with ASCVD (coronary, cerebrovascular, peripheral) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of 70 mg/dl or higher were enrolled from December 2016 to July 2018 from 107 US sites/physicians (47% cardiology, 41% primary care, 12% other) and prospectively followed for 2 years (current analysis restricted to subgroup with diabetes). OMT was defined as high-intensity lipid-lowering (high-intensity statin, any statin + ezetimibe, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor), antithrombotic (antiplatelet or anticoagulant), angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker/angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ACE-I/ARB/ARNI) (excluding glomerular filtration rate [GFR] < 30 ml/min/1.73m2 ) and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i)/glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) (excluding GFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m2 and type 1 diabetes). Among 1590 patients with ASCVD and diabetes (96% type 2 diabetes), 58% were on high-intensity lipid-lowering therapy at the end of follow-up, 87% antithrombotic, 71% ACE-I/ARB/ARNI and 17% SGLT2i/GLP-1 RA. Overall, 11% of patients received comprehensive OMT, which modestly improved over time (vs. 8% at baseline; P=.002). Patients treated by cardiologists (vs. non-cardiologists) were more likely to be on high-intensity lipid lowering, but less likely to be on an SGLT2i/GLP-1 RA, and thus had lower rates of composite OMT (7.8% vs. 13.7%, P < .001). In a hierarchical multivariable model, older age was associated with lower odds of OMT (OR 0.74 per 10 years, 95% CI 0.60-0.90), whereas private insurance (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.32-2.84) and coronary disease (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.01-2.61) were associated with higher odds. The median odds ratio was 1.82 (95% CI 1.03-7.32), indicating a moderate variability in OMT use, independent of patient factors. We found suboptimal use of secondary prevention in US patients with ASCVD and diabetes, with minimal improvement over time. Further efforts are needed to improve the use of secondary prevention therapies in these patients with high residual risk.

Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitor Therapy on Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction

Background: The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) in addition to optimal medical therapy (OMT) on the right ventricular (RV) systolic function using advanced echocardiographic analysis among outpatients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has thus far been poorly investigated. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, single-blinded study in which an echocardiographic expert was blinded to the allocation of the treatment. A total of 36 outpatients with HFrEF were randomized to either OMT or OMT+SGLT2i. Both groups underwent an echocardiographic examination of the RV systolic function at the baseline and at the 3-month follow-up (3mFU). Results: The patients in both groups did not significantly differ with respect to the relevant baseline comorbidities, therapy, and clinical characteristics. The patients receiving OMT+SGLT2i showed a significant improvement from the baseline to the 3mFU in all the measured RV echocardiographic parameters, while for the OMT group, a significant improvement after the 3mFU was observed for TAPSE and s'. The mean percent change from the baseline to the 3mFU was significant when comparing OMT+SGLT2i to the OMT group concerning RV FWS (+91% vs. +28%, p = 0.039), TR maxPG (-27% vs. +19%, p = 0.005), and TR Vmax (-17% vs. +13%, p = 0.008), respectively. Conclusions: Adding SGLT2i to OMT in patients with HFrEF resulted in a greater improvement in the RV systolic function from the baseline to the 3mFU compared to the OMT alone.

589 THE EFFECT OF DAPAGLIFLOZIN ON SYMPTOMS, QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS IN A REAL-WORLD POPULATION OF HFREF PATIENTS

Abstract Background Large cardiovascular (CV) trials enrolling patients with type 2 diabetes showed that sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) significantly decreased heart failure (HF) hospitalization, both in patients with or without a history of HF. Accordingly, DAPA-HF (Dapagliflozin and Prevention of Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure) demonstrated the efficacy of dapagliflozin, for the reduction of CV death/HF hospitalization in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) regardless of type 2 diabetes status. However, there are still few real-word data and it is still not well known how early the clinical benefits are after the introduction of the drug into therapy; consequently, we aimed to evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin three months after its introduction in therapy in our real-world population. Methods From February 2022 to September 2022 we introduced Dapagliflozin in 23 HFrEF patients’ therapy and we collected data of 11 patients (66.78±3.96 years; 89% men) at 3-months-FU. Specifically, on the first visit we collected the clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters and dapagliflozin was added to optimal medical therapy of patients; then, the patients were evaluated after 3 months (follow-up). Results At follow-up, all patients were free from side effects and we did not record statistically significant differences in laboratory parameters and/or blood pressure values. As regards the echocardiographic parameters, there was an improvement in FE (28.11±2.95 vs 37.00±5.71%, p0.17), PAPS (46.89±3.94 vs 37.63±5.27mmHg, p0.17), and LVEDVind (75.34±10.58 vs 57.20±13.55 ml/m2, p0.30), although not statistically significant. Moreover, we observed a statistically significant reduction in the diameter of the inferior vena cava (18.89±1.78 vs 11.5±1.15 mm, p&amp;lt;0.01), in NYHA class (2.78±0.15 vs 2±0, p&amp;lt;0.001), in basal SO2 (95.67±0.78 vs 97.67±0.47%, p0.04) and an improvement of quality of life (EQ5Dtot 73.33±4.71 vs 86.67±4.41, p0.05; pain/discomfort 3.67±0.29 vs 4.78±0.22, p&amp;lt;0.01; anxiety/depression 3.67±0.29 vs 4.67±0.24, p0.0163). Finally, we recorded a not statistically significant reduction in the amount of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) at follow-up (62.5±12.5 vs 37.5±5.59 mg of eplerenone, p0.09). Conclusions Dapagliflozin improved symptoms, and quality of life in patients with HFrEF of our real world population already after 12 weeks, accordingly with previous data of DEFINE-HF trial. Moreover, already after 3 months was possible to record improvements in the echocardiographic parameters, even if they are not statistically significant. Certainly, it will be necessary to continue with the study to evaluate these results on a larger sample.

Determinants of Optimal Medical Therapy in Patients with Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia

The utilization of optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) has not been well studied. BEST-CLI is a National Institutes of Health-sponsored multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing revascularization strategies in CLI patients. We evaluated OMT-associated variables within BEST-CLI at baseline and analyzed their association with patient characteristics.

Association of Age with Optimal Medical Therapy in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Association of Age with Optimal Medical Therapy in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter-2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Breakthrough in Improvement of Clinical Outcomes?

The conventional conception of the therapy of heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction has been recently modified by adding sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to the combination consisting of beta blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, with the aim of improving clinical outcomes. It remains unclear whether other sub-populations of patients with HF, having either HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction, are relevant candidates for the effective therapeutic intervention that includes SGLT2 inhibitors. The purpose of the narrative review is to elucidate plausible perspectives for the clinical implementation of SGLT2 inhibitors into optimal medical therapy in patients with HFpEF. The authors searched the bibliographic databases (Embase, Medline, and the Web of Science) and the Cochrane Central to find English-written publications satisfying the purpose of this study. The authors included eight studies and two meta-analyses that have been reported as completed and found that there were high heterogeneous data regarding the fact that SGLT2 inhibitors had strict resemblance in their efficacy among patients with HFpEF with and without Type 2 diabetes. Due to the use of unpublished data and findings from the trials ended early, there is a lack of upper left ventricular ejection fraction threshold levels to identify inclusion criteria and no agreement in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction determination. However, the results of the meta-analysis, especially come from subgroups’ analysis, appeared to be relevantly optimistic for use of SGLT2 inhibitors in HFpEF therapy.

Can Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Revive a Failing Heart?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the most common cause of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; despite its prevalence, there is limited evidence to guide physicians in managing patients with CAD with percutaneous revascularization. The REVIVED-BCIS2 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01920048) represents the first randomized trial to assess the value of percutaneous coronary intervention in addition to optimal medical therapy in patients with ischaemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction and stable CAD. In this article, we review the results of the REVIVED-BCIS2 trial and compare them to the ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00023595 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00023595), which investigated the benefit of surgical revascularization on such patients. Finally, we suggest a pathway for physicians managing patients with ischaemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction based on the current evidence and highlight potential avenues for future research.

Revascularization strategies in patients with diabetes and stable ischemic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

The optimal treatment strategy comparing invasive revascularization versus optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) still remains unclear. We aimed to investigate clinical outcomes of invasive revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting or both) versus OMT in patients with DM and SIHD from updated published randomised-controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted a comprehensive literature search through PubMed and EMBASE to investigate the effect of revascularization versus OMT for patients with DM and SIHD. The studies were limited to RCTs or their subgroup data for a meta-analysis. The outcomes of interest were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with DM and SIHD. Our search identified subgroup data with DM of four RCTs including a total of 5742 patients with SIHD. Our results showed that invasive revascularization was not associated with a decreased risk of MACE when compared to OMT [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.95 (0.85-1.05), P = 0.31; I2 = 0%]. Invasive revascularization was not associated with a decreased risk of MACE when compared with OMT.

Abstract 11341: Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Influence on Optimal Medical Therapy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are comorbidities of great therapeutic and prognostic importance in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Knowledge about their prevalence, associated factors and influence on optimal medical therapy are needed to best manage this population. Methods: This is a unicentric cross-sectional analysis of 869 patients enrolled in a CAD registry in Brazil. To be included, patients needed to have a previous coronary artery revascularization procedure (either percutaneous or surgical), documented previous acute coronary syndrome, or known coronary stenosis greater than 50%. CKD was defined as creatinine clearance &lt; 60 mL/min. DM was defined as prescription of glucose-lowering drugs or a HbA1c &gt; 6.5%. Results: Overall, mean age was 64.7 years, 261 (30%) were women, 528 (61%) had previous myocardial infarction, and 547 (63.4%) had a previous revascularization procedure. DM was prevalent in 449 (51.7%) patients and CKD in 280 (32.2%). Both comorbidities were concomitant in 151 (17.4%) patients. On multivariate analysis, CKD was correlated to female sex (OR 2.94; 95%CI 1.88-4.67), age (OR 1.20; 95%CI 1.16-1.23), BMI (OR 0.80, 95%CI 0.76-0.84), and HDL-cholesterol (OR 0.97; 95%CI 0.96-0.99). DM was associated with age (OR 1.02, 95%CI 1.00-1.04), BMI (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.08), high blood pressure (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.39-3.21), and heart rate (OR 1.02, 95%CI 1.00-1.03). Concomitant presence of CKD and DM was associated with age (OR 1.09, 95%CI 1.06-1.13) and left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.95-0.98). Patients with DM were more likely to receive ACE inhibitors or ARBs (79.3% x 67.1%, p&lt; 0.001) and calcium channel blockers (41.9% x 31.2%, p=0.001). Patients with DM and CKD had higher use of nitrates (38.4% x 25.6%, p=0.002). There was no difference in the prescription of antithrombotic drugs, beta-blockers or statins between groups. Conclusion: DM and CKD are both very prevalent comorbidities in patients with CAD. They are associated with age and risk markers such as high blood pressure and lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Although typically these populations are undertreated in others registries, this fact was not observed in our study.

Optimal medical therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease in Poland: the ISCHEMIA trial experience.

Introduction: Optimal medical therapy (OMT) is the cornerstone of treatment for stable coronary disease with the ISCHEMIA trial showing similar outcomes using OMT with or without an initial invasive approach. Objectives: To describe OMT goal attainment in Polish ISCHEMIA participants compared with other countries. Patients and methods: Among 5179 trial participants, 333 were randomized in Poland. The median follow-up was 3.2 years. OMT targets were: not smoking, high-intensity statin therapy, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of less than 70 mg/dl, systolic blood pressure of less than 140 mm Hg, aspirin therapy, and ACEI / ARB, and β-blocker therapy if indicated. Results: Compared with 36 other countries, at randomization, patients in Poland were older (67 [62–75] y vs 65 [58–71] y); P <⁠0.001), more often female (30% vs 22%; P = 0.002), with a longer history of angina (3 [1–9] y vs 1 [0–3] y; P <⁠0.001), and there were more cases of prior myocardial infarction (32% vs 18%; P <⁠0.01) and revascularization (PCI, 40% vs 19%; CABG, 11% vs 3%; P <⁠0.001 for both). The number of OMT goals attained increased from baseline to follow-up visits (5 [4–5] vs 6 [5–6]; P <⁠0.001) in Poland and other countries alike (P = 0.89 vs P = 0.14). In Poland, significant improvements were achieved regarding high-intensity statin therapy (27% vs 50%), LDL-C <⁠70 mg/dl (29% vs 65%), and systolic blood pressure of less than 140 mm Hg (63% vs 81%) (P <⁠0.001 for all), whereas not-smoking (89% vs 89%), aspirin (90% vs 88%), ACEI / ARB (93% vs 95%), and β-blocker therapy (94% vs 90%) remained high. Conclusions: With regular surveillance and contemporary medical therapy, high OMT goal attainment was achievable among the participants of the ISCHEMIA trial in Poland relative to other countries. There is still room for improvement in LDL-C and blood pressure management.

Renin Feedback Is an Independent Predictor of Outcome in HFpEF.

Drugs which interact with the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) aim to reduce the negative effects of angiotensin (Ang) II. Treatment with these drugs anticipate a compensatory up-regulation of renin; however, it has been shown that there is a large variability in circulating plasma renin (PRA), even in patients with optimal medical therapy in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Our aim was to measure plasma renin activity (PRA-S), its response to RAAS inhibitor (RAASi) therapies and its effects on outcome in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). For this purpose, 150 HFpEF patients were included into a prospective single-center registry. Equilibrium (eq) angiotensin metabolites were measured from serum samples using mass spectroscopy. PRA-S (eqAng I + eqAng II) was calculated and compared in respect to the primary endpoint defined as all-cause death. PRA-S in patients with RAASi therapy was not significantly higher than in patients without RAASi (p = 0.262). Even after adjusting for confounding factors, PRA-S remained predictive for all-cause death in the multivariable model with a hazard ratio of 2.14 (95%CI 1.20–3.82, p = 0.010). We conclude that high PRA-S is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HFpEF, regardless of RAASi treatment, which could ultimately result in hyperactivated RAAS and consecutive negative effects on the cardiovascular and renal system, leading to poor outcome in patients with HFpEF.

Late Survival Benefit of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Compared With Medical Therapy in Patients With Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study.

BackgroundAs an initial treatment strategy, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) did not show midterm survival benefits compared with optimal medical therapy (OMT). We sought to evaluate the benefit of PCI compared with OMT in patients with CTO over extended long‐term follow‐up.Methods and ResultsBetween March 2003 and February 2012, 2024 patients with CTO were enrolled in a single‐center registry and followed for ≈10 years. We excluded patients with CTO who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (n=477) and classified patients into the CTO‐PCI group (n=883) or OMT group (n=664) according to initial treatment strategy. Patients with multivessel disease received PCI for obstructive non‐CTO lesions in both groups. In the CTO‐PCI group, 699 patients (79.2%) underwent successful revascularization. The CTO‐PCI group had a lower 10‐year rate of cardiac death (10.4% versus 22.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.44 [95% CI, 0.32–0.59]; P<0.001) than the OMT group. After propensity score matching analyses, the CTO‐PCI group had a lower 10‐year rate of cardiac death (13.6% versus 20.8%; HR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.45–0.91]; P=0.01) than the OMT group. The relative reduction in cardiac death at 10 years was mainly driven by a relative reduction between 3 and 10 years (8.3% versus 16.6%; HR, 0.43 [95% CI, 0.27–0.71]; P<0.001) but not at 3 years (5.7% versus 5.0%; HR, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.63–2.00]; P=0.71). The beneficial effects of CTO‐PCI were consistent among subgroups.ConclusionsAs an initial treatment strategy, CTO‐PCI might reduce late cardiac death compared with OMT in patients with CTO. Extended follow‐up of randomized trials may confirm the findings of the present study.