Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction Research Articles

Activities of daily living predict periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury following percutaneous coronary intervention: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundIn recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring the relationship between activities of daily living (ADL) and cardiovascular diseases. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association of ADL measured by Barthel index (BI) with periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) and injury following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).MethodsEnrolled patients were stratified into impaired and unimpaired ADL groups according to their BI scores. Logistic regressions were conducted to explore the association of ADL on admission with periprocedural myocardial injury and infarction. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve and subgroup analysis were also performed.ResultsTotally, 16.4% of patients suffered from PMI; the mean age was 65.8 ± 10.4 years old. RCS analysis showed that the morbidity of periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury showed a downward tendency with increasing BI scores. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that impaired ADL was an independent risk factor for periprocedural myocardial infarction (OR = 1.190, 95% CI [1.041, 1.360], P = 0.011) and injury (OR = 1.131, 95% CI [1.017, 1.257], P = 0.023). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between ADL and PMI was founded in several subgroups, while the association between ADL and periprocedural myocardial injury was founded only in BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 subgroup.ConclusionImpaired ADL at hospital admission was an independent risk factor for periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury among patients following PCI.

Acute and mid-term results of percutaneous coronary intervention for severely calcified coronary artery lesions with orbital atherectomy system.

Severely calcified lesions present many challenges for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the orbital atherectomy system (OAS) in treating calcified coronary lesions. The present study included 422 consecutive cases (546 lesions) who underwent PCI with OAS in Kyoto Katsura Hospital from February 2018 to December 2021. We assessed the following clinical outcomes after OAS was used for severely calcified lesions: procedure success, angiographic complications, in-hospital Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), and mid-term results. The primary endpoint was the combination of incidence of MACE at 12 months, cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Of all the cases, 74% patients were men and the mean age was 76.5 years. In total, 81% of lesions were treated with drug-coated balloon, and 14% were implanted with stents. Procedural success rate was 96.3%. Coronary perforation occurred in 0.5% and persistent slow flow in 2% lesions. There was 1 cardiac death (0.5%), 43 periprocedural MIs (10.2%), and no TLR as in-hospital MACE. The incidence of MACE at 12 months was 8.4%, including 2.1% cardiac death and 6.9% TLR. In multivariate analysis, CKD, hemodialysis, and restenosis lesions were independently associated with MACE at 12 months. Periprocedural MI was not an independent predictor of MACE. This study suggested that OAS is a safe and effective treatment option for calcified coronary lesions with acceptable acute and mid-term results; thus, it can be an alternate for reducing calcified plaque.

Clinical outcomes after successful revascularization of long chronic total occlusions using amphilimus-eluting polymer-free stent: a single center experience.

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are complex lesions that usually require stenting of long segments, and, therefore more prone to restenosis and/or thrombosis. Polymer-free stents to avoid chronic inflammatory response in the vessel wall are a potential solution to reduce target lesion revascularization. We, therefore, investigated the clinical outcomes following successful amphilimus-eluting polymer-free stent implantation in long CTOs. A total of 77 consecutive patients who underwent successful revascularization for long CTOs (lesion length ≥30 mm) using Cre8 stents were included. Baseline demographics, periprocedural characteristics, in-hospital events, and post-discharge long-term cardiovascular events were retrospectively screened for all patients. The Japanese CTO score was 1.58 ± 0.96, and the lesion length was 54.0 ± 9.89 mm. All cases were technically successful (n = 77, 100%), while procedural success was obtained in 74 patients (96.1%). Periprocedural complications were contrast-induced nephropathy (n = 4, 5.2%), coronary perforation (n = 3, 3.8%), residual dissection (n = 1, 1.3%), and femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (n = 1, 1.3%). Three patients (3.9%) presented periprocedural myocardial infarction requiring repeat percutaneous coronary intervention. At 25.0 ± 15.8 months follow-up, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were observed in 14 patients (18.1%). The Cre8 polymer-free drug- eluting stents seems safe and effective for percutaneous revascularization of long CTO lesions with a high success and low adverse event rate.

Periprocedural myocardial infarction in patients undergoing complex versus noncomplex percutaneous coronary intervention.

Limited data are available on the risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing complex versus noncomplex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We assessed the risk of periprocedural MI according to the fourth Universal definition of myocardial infarction (UDMI) and several other criteria among patients undergoing elective PCI in a prospective, single-center registry. Complex PCI included at least one of the following: 3 coronary vessels treated, ≥3 stents implanted, ≥3 lesions treated, bifurcation with 2 stents implanted, total stent length >60 mm, treatment of chronic total occlusion, and use of rotational atherectomy. Between 2017 and 2021, we included 1010 patients with chronic coronary syndrome, of whom 226 underwent complex PCI (22.4%). The rate of periprocedural MI according to the fourth UDMI was significantly higher in complex compared to noncomplex PCI patients (26.5% vs. 14.5%, p < 0.001). Additionally, periprocedural MI was higher in the complex PCI group using SCAI (4% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.009), ARC-2 (13.7% vs. 8.0%, p = 0.013), ISCHEMIA (5.8% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.002), and EXCEL criteria (4.9% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.032). SYNTAX periprocedural MI occurred at low rates in both groups (0.9% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.657). Complex PCI was an independent predictor of the fourth UDMI periprocedural MI (odds ratio [OR] 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-2.27, p = 0.031). In patients with chronic coronary syndrome undergoing elective PCI, complex PCI is associated with a significantly higher risk of periprocedural MI using multiple definitions. These findings highlight the importance of considering upfront this risk in the planning of complex PCI procedures.

Association of Pre-procedural Nutritional Indicators with Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction in Patients Undergoing Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Nutritional risk is closely related to the poor prognosis of hospitalized patients. However, the association of pre-procedural nutritional risk with periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains unclear.A total of 22,267 patients who underwent elective PCI were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Nutritional risk was evaluated by three nutritional risk assessment tools, namely, controlling nutritional status (CONUT), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). PMI after PCI was defined as elevation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) values > 5 × 99th percentile upper reference limit. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore the association of nutritional risk assessment tools with cTnI fold elevation. Log-binomial regression analysis was conducted to determine the association of nutritional risk assessment tools with PMI.The average age of the enrolled patients was 66.4 years old, and 2,647 of them (11.9%) suffered PMI after PCI. Multivariable linear regression analysis determined a linear association between nutritional risk assessment tools and cTnI fold elevation (CONUT: β = 0.220, 95% CI [0.088-0.352], P = 0.001; PNI: β = -0.105, 95% CI [-0.146 to -0.065], P < 0.001; GNRI: β = -0.090, 95% CI [-0.122 to -0.057], P < 0.001). Log-binomial regression analysis showed that nutritional risk assessment tools were strongly associated with PMI after PCI (CONUT [4-12 versus 0-1]: RR = 1.168, 95% CI [1.054-1.295], P = 0.003; PNI [< 44 versus ≥ 52]: RR = 1.168, 95% CI [1.038-1.315], P = 0.010; GNRI [< 98 versus ≥ 108]: RR = 1.128, 95% CI [1.006-1.264], P = 0.039).Pre-procedural nutritional status, assessed by CONUT, PNI, and GNRI, was significantly and strongly associated with PMI in patients undergoing elective PCI.

Outcomes of a modified, low-cost, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) for elective, periprocedural support of high-risk percutaneous cardiac interventions: An experience from a latinamerican center.

High-risk procedures in interventional cardiology include a wide spectrum of clinical and anatomical scenarios related to a higher periprocedural morbidity and mortality. The prophylactic use of short-term mechanical circulatory support (ST-MCS) may improve both the safety and efficacy of the intervention by leading to more stable procedural hemodynamics. However, the significant costs may limit its use in resource constrained settings. To overcome this limitation, we ideated a modified, low-cost, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (V-A ECMO) setup. We conducted an observational prospective study including all patients undergoing a high-risk interventional cardiology procedure at our institution under prophylactic ST-MCS using a modified, low-cost version of V-A ECMO, where some components of the standard V-A ECMO circuit were replaced by supplies used for cardiac surgical cardiopulmonary bypass, achieving a cost reduction of 72%. We assessed in-hospital and mid-term outcomes, including procedural success, post-procedure complications and mortality. Between March 2016 and December 2021, ten patients underwent high-risk IC procedures with prophylactic use of V-A ECMO. Isolated percutaneous intervention (PCI) was performed in six patients, isolated transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in two, and a combined procedure (PCI + TAVR) in two. Mean ejection fraction was 34% (range 20-64%). Mean STS PROM was 16.2% (range 9.5-35.8%) and mean EuroScore was 23.7% (range 1.5-60%). The planned intervention was successfully performed in all cases. There were no reports of V-A ECMO malfunction. In nine patients the VA-ECMO was withdrawn immediately after the procedure but one patient required extended - 24h - support with no significant issues. One patient experienced a periprocedural myocardial infarction and another developed a femoral pseudoaneurysm. In-hospital and 30-day survival were 100%, and 1-year survival was 80%. High-risk procedures in interventional cardiology can be successfully performed under prophylactic ST-MCS using a modified, low-cost V-A ECMO, suitable for limited-resource settings.

Effect of prior statin treatment on the achievement of &amp;lt;55 mg/dL LDL cholesterol threshold in acute coronary syndrome patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients are associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A lower threshold level of low density cholesterol (LDL), less than 50 mg/dL, as recommended by most recent guidelines, has been associated with a lower risk of such events. An early and more pronounced achievement of such target LDL level could confer benefit to this high risk patient category. It is not known whether prior treatment with statins might have such beneficial effect in patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes undergoing PCI. Purpose To study the role of prior statin use in patients admitted with ACS and treated with PCI regarding the achievement of target LDL threshold. Methods We prospectively enrolled 400 consecutive ACS patients who underwent PCI treatment in our hospital. We collected peri- and postprocedural clinical and laboratory data; all patients were followed up and were asked to have their lipid profile measured at 1 month after discharge. Patients were divided in 2 groups: patients who were already on statin treatment on admission (group 1) and those who were not (group 2). Primary endpoint was achievement of target LDL threshold in accordance with current ESC guidelines 1 month after discharge, and secondary endpoint was in-hospital and 30-day occurrence of major adverse events (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and re-hospitalization). Results Out of 400 patients, 105 of them composed group 1 and 295 patients composed group 2. Mean age was 64.96 +/- 10.26 years. 74.8% were males. 94.8% suffered from arterial hypertension, 41% from diabetes and 56.3% were active smokers. On admission, mean LDL level was 118.15 +/- 42.67 mg/dL in group 1 and 141.66 +/- 44.14 mg/dL in group (p=&amp;lt;0.05). 399 (99.7%) of the patients were discharged on a high intensity dose statin. 30 day clinical follow up was completed in all (n=400) patients and lipid profile was acquired from 379 (94%) patients. Mean LDL level was 83.2 +/- 31.2 mg/dL in group 1 and 86.56 +/- 86.56 mg/dL in group 2. The threshold of &amp;lt;55 mg/dL of target LDL, was achieved in 16.2% of the patients in group 1 and in 10.2% in group 2 (p=0.1). There was no in-hospital death in both groups. 1 patient in each group suffered periprocedural myocardial infarction. At 30-day follow up, secondary endpoint occurred in 15 patients (3.8%) in total cohort. 5 (4.8%) in first group (a composite of 2 deaths and 3 rehospitalizations) and in 10 (3.4%) in second group (a composite of 4 deaths and 6 rehospitalizations). Conclusion In patients with acute coronary syndrome who are treated with PCI, prior treatment with statin, despite a numerically more favorable outcome, has no statistically significant impact on achievement of LDL target threshold in accordance with current guidelines or in in-hospital and 30-day MACE occurrence.

Young patients undergoing carotid stenting procedures have an increased rate of procedural failure at 1-year follow-up

ObjectiveThe outcomes of patients with premature cerebrovascular disease (age ≤55 years) who undergo carotid artery stenting are not well-defined. Our study objective was to analyze the outcomes of younger patients undergoing carotid stenting. MethodsThe Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative was queried for transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TF-CAS) and transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR) procedures between 2016 and 2020. Patients were stratified based on age ≤55 or >55 years. Primary endpoints were periprocedural stroke, death, myocardial infarction (MI), and composite outcomes. Secondary endpoints included procedural failure (defined as ipsilateral restenosis ≥80% or occlusion) and reintervention rates. ResultsOf the 35,802 patients who underwent either TF-CAS or TCAR, 2912 (6.1%) were ≤55 years. Younger patients were less likely than older patients to have coronary disease (30.5% vs 50.2%; P < .001), diabetes (31.5% vs 37.9%; P < .001), and hypertension (71.8% vs 89.8%; P < .001), but were more likely to be female (45% vs 35.4%; P < .001) and active smokers (50.9% vs 24.0%; P < .001) Younger patients were also more likely to have had a prior transient ischemic attack or stroke than older patients (70.7% vs 56.9%; P < .001). TF-CAS was more frequently performed in younger patients (79.7% vs 55.4%; P < .001). In the periprocedural period, younger patients were less likely to have a MI than older patients (0.3% vs 0.7%; P < .001), but there was no significant difference in the rates of periprocedural stroke (1.5% vs 2.0%; P = .173) and composite outcomes of stroke/death (2.6% vs 2.7%; P = .686) and stroke/death/MI (2.9% vs 3.2%; P = .353) between our two cohorts. The mean follow-up was 12 months regardless of age. During follow-up, younger patients were significantly more likely to experience significant (≥80%) restenosis or occlusion (4.7% vs 2.3%; P = .001) and to undergo reintervention (3.3% vs 1.7%; P < .001). However, there was no statistical difference in the frequency of late strokes between younger and older patients (3.8% vs 3.2%; P = .129). ConclusionsPatients with premature cerebrovascular disease undergoing carotid artery stenting are more likely to be African American, female, and active smokers than their older counterparts. Young patients are also more likely to present symptomatically. Although periprocedural outcomes are similar, younger patients have higher rates of procedural failure (significant restenosis or occlusion) and reintervention at 1-year follow-up. However, the clinical implication of late procedural failure is unknown, given that we found no significant difference in the rate of stroke at follow-up. Until further longitudinal studies are completed, clinicians should carefully consider the indications for carotid stenting in patients with premature cerebrovascular disease, and those who do undergo stenting may require close follow-up.

P41 INCIDENCE AND PREDICTORS OF PERIPROCEDURAL MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING COMPLEX VS NON–COMPLEX PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Abstract Background Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is the most used treatment strategy for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing revascularization. Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction (PMI) still represents a frequent complication after PCI. Complex PCI procedures carry a higher risk of adverse events. Despite several studies assessed the incidence of PMI, no data exist about the rate of PMI according to different definitions in patients undergoing complex PCI. Aims. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of PMI in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) undergoing PCI according to the complexity of the procedure and different definitions of PMI. Independent predictors of PMI according to the 4th Universal definition of myocardial infarction (UDMI) were also investigated. Methods 1010 patients treated with PCI from 2017 to 2021 at Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy were enrolled. PMI was adjudicated by full trained cardiologists. Primary outcome of interest was PMI according to the 4thUDMI. Secondary outcomes of interest were PMI rates according to different definitions available in literature and myocardial injury according to 4th UDMI and Academic Research Consortium –2 (ARC–2). Results Of the 1010 patients, 226 underwent Complex PCI (22.4%). The incidence of the primary outcome was significantly higher in complex PCI group compared with non–complex PCI (26.5% vs 14.5%, p&amp;lt;0.001). After multivariate adjustment, complex PCI (OR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.04–2.27 p= 0.031), presence of calcified lesions (OR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.38–3.03 p&amp;lt;0.001) and multivessel disease (OR 2.94, 95% CI: 1.76–4.89 p&amp;lt;0.001) were found to be independently associated with PMI. Conclusions Patients undergoing complex PCI have an increased risk of PMI. Multivessel disease, calcified lesions and complex PCI represent independent predictors of PMI.

Effect of Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction After Initial Revascularization With Left Main PCI in Patients With Recent Myocardial Infarction.

Periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) may be particularly deleterious in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI). We sought to determine the rates and prognostic relevance of PMI using different definitions and biomarker thresholds after PCI for LMCAD in patients with recent MI. Between January 2004 and December 2016, 442 patients underwent PCI for LMCAD at a median of 3 days after presentation with MI. A total of 350 patients presented with elevated cardiac biomarker levels (349 with serial creatine kinase-myocardial band [CK-MB] and 219 with serial cardiac troponin I (cTnI) values) that were stable or falling before the PCI. In this cohort, PMI within 48 hours of PCI was adjudicated using Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI), Academic Research Consortium 2 (ARC-2), and fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (UDMI) criteria. The primary and secondary end points were 3-year rates of cardiovascular (CV) and all-cause death. An incremental post-PCI rise in CK-MB starting at ≥10× the upper reference limit from baseline was significantly associated with 3-year CV death (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 7.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.89-21.90), whereas CV death was not associated with any threshold elevation of cTnI. The frequencies of PMI according to the fourth UDMI, ARC-2, and SCAI definitions were 19.4%, 12.3%, and 8.6%, respectively. PMI by all 3 definitions was significantly associated with 3-year CV death, with the SCAI definition having the strongest relationship (aHR, 6.34; 95% CI, 2.47-16.27) compared with those of ARC-2 (aHR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.15-6.96) and fourth UDMI (aHR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.14-6.14). In patients with recent MI undergoing PCI for LMCAD, an incremental elevation in postprocedural CK-MB of ≥10× the upper reference limit as a stand-alone measure was strongly predictive of 3-year CV and all-cause death, whereas no cTnI elevations of any level were prognostic. All 3 contemporary PMI definitions in widespread use were associated with 3-year mortality after PCI in this high-risk cohort, with the SCAI definition having the strongest relationship with subsequent death.

Correlation Between Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction, Mortality, and Quality of Life in Coronary Revascularization Trials: A Meta-analysis.

The prognostic importance of periprocedural myocardial infarction (pMI) and its inclusion in the composite outcomes of coronary revascularization trials are controversial. We assessed whether pMI is a surrogate for all-cause or cardiac mortality and quality of life (QoL) outcomes in coronary revascularization trials. All randomized trials comparing percutaneous coronary intervention vs coronary artery bypass grafting (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library) were identified. Trials were included if they reported data for pMI and mortality. Trial-level associations between pMI and all-cause or cardiac mortality and QoL were assessed using the coefficient of determination (R 2 ). The criterion for surrogacy was set at 0.7. Subgroup analyses based on pMI definition and on key clinical/procedural variables were performed. Twelve trials were included (11,549 patients; weighted mean follow-up: 5.6 years). There was a positive correlation between pMI and all-cause mortality (slope, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.00-2.63; R 2 = 0.72). In the trials that defined pMI as a rise in cardiac biomarkers >5 times the upper reference limit, pMI positively correlated with both all-cause (slope, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.00-3.14; R 2 = 0.93) and cardiac mortality (slope, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.20-1.19; R 2 = 0.87); no such relationships were present in trials that used a lower biomarker threshold. An inverse correlation was found between pMI and long-term changes in the Short Form Health Survey Physical Component score (slope, -4.66; 95% CI, -5.75 to -3.57; R 2 =0.99). In the published coronary revascularization trials, pMI defined by larger biomarker elevations was associated with subsequent mortality and reduced QoL. These findings suggest that large pMI should be included as an outcome measure in coronary revascularization trials.

Comparison of rotational and orbital atherectomy: A systematic review of efficacy and safety in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: To assess the clinical results of CAD patients who underwent orbital atherectomy (OA) and rotational atherectomy (RA). Methods: PICO criteria for publication in the last 5 years and preferred reporting elements for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) were used to systematically choose publications. Boolean operators were used to search for keywords. The effectiveness of each chosen article was evaluated using the STROBE checklist. Results: Five articles of non-randomized observational analysis were selected, which involved 72.982 patients whom underwent RA, while 6.431 others underwent OA which is a new atherectomy method that was approved for use in coronary arteries in 2003. Although some studies still showed varying results due to different data collection tools, overall data showed there was no difference between the two techniques in terms of contrast volume, outcomes of coronary artery dissection, periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI), arterial perforation caused by device, cardiac tamponade, in-hospital mortality, slow flow/no reflow, 30-day of mortality, target vessel revascularization (TVR), MI and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The burr size and rotational speed for RA may lead to complication rates. Conclusion: Except for a shorter fluoroscopy time with OA, there are no discernible differences between OA and RA in patients with calcified CAD undergoing PCI.

Drug-coated balloon combined with drug-eluting stent for the treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions: insights from the HYPER study.

True coronary bifurcation lesions (CBL) represent a challenging scenario for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and are associated with a higher risk of target lesion failure (TLF), particularly when two stents are implanted. A hybrid strategy combining a drug-eluting stent (DES) in the main branch, and a drug-coated balloon in the side branch may improve outcomes by reducing the total stent length while maintaining an effective anti-prolipherative action. In this sub-study of the HYPER trial, 50 patients with true CBL were treated with a hybrid strategy: procedural success was 96%, one case of peri-procedural myocardial infarction and one case of TLF (in a DES-treated segment) at 1 year were reported. This study suggests that such a hybrid strategy may be a safe and effective option for true CBL PCI, and warrants additional investigations to compare outcomes with standard of care strategies.

Long-term follow-up after invasive or conservative management of stable coronary disease: the ISCHEMIA-EXTEND study.

The ISCHEMIA trial found no statistical difference in the primary endpoint between initial invasive and conservative management of patients with chronic coronary disease and moderate-to-severe ischaemia on stress testing. However, an invasive strategy increased peri-procedural myocardial infarction (MI) but decreased spontaneous MI with continued separation of curves over time. Thus, in order to assess the long-term effect of invasive management strategy on mortality, the ISCHEMIA-EXTEND observational study was planned including surviving participants from the initial phase of the ISCHEMIA trial with a projected median follow-up of nearly 10 years. Recently, an interim report of 7-year all-cause, cardiovascular (CV), and non-CV mortality rates has been published showing no difference in all-cause mortality between the two strategies, but with a lower risk of CV mortality and higher risk of non-CV mortality with an initial invasive strategy over a median follow-up of 5.7 years. The trade-offs in CV and non-CV mortality observed in ISCHEMIA-EXTEND raise many important questions regarding the heterogeneity of treatment effect, the drivers of mortality, and the relative importance and reliability of CV vs. all-cause mortality. Overall, findings from ISCHEMIA and ISCHEMIA-EXTEND trials might help physicians in shared decision-making as to whether to add invasive management to guideline-directed medical management in selected patients with chronic coronary artery disease and moderate or severe ischaemia.

Evaluation of coronary disease among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: propensity score matching analysis.

Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is common among elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Current guidelines recommend performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of any > 70% proximal coronary lesions prior to TAVI. To evaluate the outcomes of two diagnostic approaches for CCS clearance pre-TAVI and to determine the reduction in the need of invasive angiography (IA). We investigated 2219 patients undergoing TAVI for severe aortic stenosis at two large centers with different pre-procedural strategies for CCS assessment: pre-TAVI computed tomography angiography (CTA) with selective invasive angiography according to CTA results or mandatory IA. We preformed propensity score matching analysis using a 1:1 ratio. The final study cohort included 870 matched patients. Peri-procedural complications were documented according to the VARC-2 criteria. Mortality rates were prospectively documented. Mean age of the study population was 82 ± 7, of whom 55% were female. Patients in the IA group had significantly higher rates of pre-TAVI PCI compared to the CTA group (39% vs. 22%, p < 0.001). Following TAVI, peri-procedural myocardial infarction (MI) rates were similar between the two groups (0.3% vs. 0.7%, p value = 0.41), but spontaneous MI were significantly lower among the IA group (0% vs. 1.3%, p value = 0.03). Kaplan-Meier's survival analysis found that the cumulative probability of 1-year morality was similar between the two groups (p value log rank = 0.65). Cox regression analysis did not find association between CCS clearance strategy and outcome. In elderly patients, CTA-driven approach for CCS evaluation pre-TAVI is a valid strategy with similar outcome as compared to invasive approach. CTA strategy significantly reduces invasive procedures rates without compromising patient's outcome.

Complementary evidence on the performance of coronary stents generated by a randomized controlled trial and a worldwide registry

Large-scale registries can provide valuable complementary data to randomized controlled trials (RCT) for the postmarketing evaluation of coronary stents, but their scientific relevance remains debated. We sought to compare the evidence on the performance of a single coronary stent platform generated by the RCT for its regulatory approval and a well-conducted international registry. Patients treated with the Ultimaster coronary stent in the CENTURY II (CII-UM) trial (n=551) were compared to patients in the real-world e-ULTIMASTER (e-UM) registry (n=35,389). All major events were adjudicated by an independent clinical event committee in both studies. Propensity weighted analysis was used to balance baseline and procedural differences between the 2 populations. Coronary artery disease was more complex in e-UM compared to CII-UM, including more acute coronary syndromes, multivessel disease, left main, arterial, or venous grafts, and chronic total occlusions (P < .005 for all). At one-year follow-up and after excluding periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) there was no statistically significant difference between CII-UM and e-UMregarding all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.26-1.20, P=.14), cardiac death (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.29-1.72, P=.45), target lesion failure (HR 1.18, 95% CI 0.78-1.78, P=.44), and target vessel MI (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.24-2.38, P=.63). However, target vessel revascularization rate was significantly higher in CII-UM than in e-UM, HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.23-2.56, P=.002. A well-conducted large-scale registry can provide valuable complementary evidence to RCTs on the postmarket performance of new coronary stents, across a wider range of uses and various geographic areas.

Keep it simple.

Key Points Studies of coronary bifurcation lesions have shown no advantage of systematic two‐stent strategies over one‐stent strategies. The provisional stenting provides a dynamic approach to the treatment of the majority of bifurcation lesion. Use of noncompliant balloons for kissing balloon inflation was associated with reduced side vessel stenting and lower overall periprocedural myocardial infarction.

Young patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy have increased rates of recurrent disease and late neurological events

ObjectivesThere are few data regarding outcomes of patients with premature cerebrovascular disease (age ≤55 years) who undergo carotid endarterectomy (CEA). The objective of this study was to analyze the demographics, presentation, perioperative and later outcomes of younger patients undergoing CEA. MethodsThe Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative was queried for CEA cases between 2012 and 2022. Patients were stratified based on age of less than 55 or age greater than 55 years. Primary end points were periprocedural stroke, death, myocardial infarction, and composite outcomes. Secondary end points included restenosis (≥80%) or occlusion, late neurological events and reintervention. ResultsOf 120,549 patients undergoing CEA, 7009 (5.5%) were 55 years old or younger (mean age, 51.3 years). Younger patients were more likely to be African American (7.7% vs 4.5%; P < .001), female (45.2% vs 38.9%; P < .001), and active smokers (57.3% vs 24.1%; P < .001). They were less likely than older patients to have hypertension (82.5% vs 89.7%; P < .001), coronary artery disease (25.0% vs 27.3%; P < .001), and congestive heart failure (7.8% vs 11.4%; P < .001). Younger patients were significantly less likely than older patients to be on aspirin, anticoagulation, statins, or beta-blockers, but were more likely to be taking P2Y12 inhibitors (37.2 vs 33.7%; P < .001). Younger patients were more likely to present with symptomatic disease (35.1% vs 27.6%; P < .001) and were more likely to undergo nonelective CEA (19.2% vs 12.8%; P < .001). Younger and older patients had similar rates of perioperative stroke/death (2% vs 2%; P = NS) and postoperative neurological events (1.9% vs 1.8%; P = NS). However, younger patients had lower rates of overall postoperative complications compared with their older counterparts (3.7% vs 4.7%; P < .001). Of these patients, 72.6% had recorded follow-up (mean, 13 months). During follow-up, younger patients were significantly more likely than older patients to experience a late failure, defined as significant restenosis (≥80%) or complete occlusion of the operated artery (2.4% vs 1.5%; P < .001) and were more likely to experience any neurological event (3.1% vs 2.3%; P < .001). Reintervention rates did not significantly differ between the two cohorts. After controlling for covariates using a logistic regression model, age 55 years or younger was independently associated with increased odds of late restenosis or occlusion (odds ratio, 1.591; 95% confidence interval, 1.221-2.073; P < .001) as well as late neurological events (odds ratio, 1.304; 95% confidence interval, 1.079-1.576; P = .006). ConclusionsYoung patients undergoing CEA are more likely to be African American, female, and active smokers. They are more likely to present symptomatically and undergo nonelective CEA. Although perioperative outcomes are similar, younger patients are more likely to experience carotid occlusion or restenosis as well as subsequent neurological events, during a relatively short follow-up period. These data suggest that younger CEA patients may require more diligent follow-up, as well as a continued aggressive approach to medical management of atherosclerosis to prevent future events related to the operated artery, given the particularly aggressive nature of premature atherosclerosis.

Coronary CT angiography-derived plaque characteristics and physiologic patterns for peri-procedural myocardial infarction and subsequent events.

Peri-procedural myocardial infarction (PMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to be associated with worse clinical outcomes. We aimed to investigate the value of coronary plaque characteristics and physiologic disease patterns (focal vs. diffuse) assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in predicting PMI and adverse events. Three hundred fifty-nine patients with normal pre-PCI high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) underwent CTA before PCI were analysed. The high-risk plaque characteristics (HRPC) were assessed on CTA. The physiologic disease pattern was characterized using CTA fractional flow reserve-derived pullback pressure gradients (FFRCT PPG). PMI was defined as an increase in hs-cTnT to >5 times the upper limit of normal after PCI. The major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were a composite of cardiac death, spontaneous myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. The presence of ≥3 HRPC in the target lesions [odds ratio (OR) 2.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-3.80, P = 0.004] and low FFRCT PPG (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.02-1.52, P = 0.028) were independent predictors of PMI. In a four-group classification according to HRPC and FFRCT PPG, patients with ≥3 HRPC and low FFRCT PPG had the highest risk of MACE (19.3%; overall P = 0.001). Moreover, the presence of ≥3 HRPC and low FFRCT PPG was an independent predictor of MACE and showed incremental prognostic value compared with a model with clinical risk factors alone [C index = 0.78 vs. 0.60, P = 0.005, net reclassification index = 0.21 (95% CI: 0.04-0.48), P = 0.020]. Coronary CTA can evaluate plaque characteristics and physiologic disease patterns simultaneously, which plays an important role for risk stratification before PCI.

Meta-analysis of the effect of colchicine on C-reactive protein in patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes.

The anti-inflammatory drug colchicine has recently shown benefits in the prevention of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). This meta-analysis focuses on understanding Colchicine's effects on the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to provide mechanistic insight to explain its clinical event reduction. A computerized search of MEDLINE was conducted to retrieve journal articles with studies performed on humans from 1 January 2005 to 1 January 2022, using keywords: 'Colchicine AND Coronary', 'Colchicine AND CRP', and 'Colchicine AND Coronary Artery Disease'. Studies were included if they measured hs-CRP changes from baseline, and colchicine or placebo were given to patients with ACS or CCS. Thirteen studies with a biomarker subgroup population of 1636 patients were included in the hs-CRP meta-analysis. Of those 13 studies, 8 studies with a total population of 6016 reported clinical events defined as myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, cardiovascular death, periprocedural MI, repeat angina after PCI and repeat revascularization. Multivariate analysis revealed a weak negative correlation of -0.1056 ( P = 0.805) between change in CRP and clinical events. Overall, colchicine treatment resulted in a greater reduction in hs-CRP levels compared with placebo (Mean Difference: -1.59; 95% Confidence Interval, -2.40 to -0.79, P = 0.0001) and clinical events (Odds Ratio: 0.78; 95% Confidence Interval 0.64 to 0.95, P = 0.01). Colchicine therapy is associated with a reduction in hs-CRP and clinical events in patients with ACS and CCS. This finding supports colchicine's anti-inflammatory efficacy via CRP reduction to explain its clinical benefit.