Previous Coronary Revascularization Research Articles

Clinical profile and outcomes in very elderly patients with atrial fibrillation anticoagulated with rivaroxaban: data from the EMIR study.

To analyze the clinical profile, adequacy of treatment with rivaroxaban and outcomes in octogenarians with atrial fibrillation (AF), taking rivaroxaban in clinical practice. Observational and non-interventional study that included AF adults recruited from 79 Spanish centers, anticoagulated with rivaroxaban ≥ 6 months before being included. Data were analyzed according to age (≥ 80 vs. < 80 years) at baseline. Out of 1433 patients, 453 (31.6%) were octogenarians at baseline. Compared to younger patients, octogenarians had more comorbidities, higher CHA2DS2-VASc (4.5 ± 1.3 vs. 3.0 ± 1.4; P < 0.001) and HAS-BLED scores (2.0 ± 1.0 vs. 1.4 ± 1.0; P < 0.001). Overall, the dose of rivaroxaban was adequately prescribed in 83.4% of patients, but more frequently in the younger population (71.1% vs. 89.1%; P = 0.039). After a mean follow-up of 2.2 ± 0.6 years, annual rates of stroke + systemic embolism + transient ischemic attack, MACE, cardiovascular death and major bleeding were 1.03%, 1.24%, 1.03% and 1.75%, respectively, in octogenarian patients. Except for progressive heart failure death and major bleeding, rates of outcomes in octogenarians were similar compared to younger patients. In octogenarians, the concomitant use of antiplatelet agents and non-severe dementia were independently associated with the development of ischemic stroke, whereas previous coronary revascularization and heart failure with MACE, and higher HAS-BLED score with major bleeding. In clinical practice, around one third of patients taking rivaroxaban are octogenarians. These patients have many comorbidities and a high thromboembolic risk. Despite that, rates of adverse events remain low. Rivaroxaban is adequately prescribed in the majority of octogenarians.

The early after discharge cardiac CT for low-risk chest pain study: the ED-CT study.

An accelerated diagnostic pathway is created to aid the management of low-risk patients presenting to the emergency room with chest pain. Records are taken of patient outcomes and factors influencing physician decision-making between inpatient invasive angiography versus early outpatient cardiac CT angiography. A cohort study at 30 days post discharge is undertaken over 1 year. Differences are observed between a population of patients who underwent early outpatient CT and a population of ambulatory haemodynamically stable patients who underwent inpatient fluoroscopic angiography. Totally, 369 patients underwent CT (F = 46%) and 37 underwent angiography (F = 30%). Median outpatient CT was at 14 days. At 30 days, 0 patients suffered mortality or myocardial infarction. Eleven percent were recommended for invasive angiography. Two percent of CT patients underwent coronary revascularization. Median calcium score was 0. Twenty percent of the CT population were commenced on high-potency statin or had their pre-existing statin dose intensified. Calcium score affected a composition of statin commencement, angiography, and revascularization (OR 59, P < .001). Age, troponin, vascular disease, and previous coronary revascularization appeared to influence choice between coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and invasive angiography. An accelerated diagnostic pathway for outpatient cardiac CT for chest pain resulted in no mortality or myocardial infarction, with a low level of downstream testing and coronary revascularization. At a median time to CCTA of 14 days post discharge from the emergency department, there is no effect on patient major adverse cardiac events.

Visual Ordinal Coronary Artery Calcium Score from Non-Gated Chest CT Predicts Mortality After Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbation.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often undergo chest CT for various indications. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) can be quantified visually on ungated chest CT using an ordinal score that has been shown to correlate well with traditional Agatston CAC scoring. The prognostic role of CAC was studied mainly in stable COPD patients. We aim to study the association between ordinal CAC and mortality amongst patients admitted for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Retrospective study of AECOPD cases with no previous coronary revascularization admitted between 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2017 with a chest CT performed during admission or within 365 days prior. Ordinal CAC scoring (scale of 0-12) was performed by an experienced CT cardiologist blinded to patient data and outcomes. Patient demographics and future clinical events were retrieved from electronic medical records. There were 93 patients included (87.1% male, mean age 75 years) with the majority (59.1%) in GOLD Stage III. There were 21 (22.6%) patients with no CAC as well as 39 (41.9%) and 33 (35.5%) with ordinal CAC of 1-3 and 4-12, respectively. There were no significant differences in Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and the proportion of patients with traditional cardiovascular risk factors (namely hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and smoking status) between the ordinal CAC score groups. Over a median follow-up period of 2.9 (1.1-3.9) years, there were 51 (54.8%) deaths. An ordinal CAC score of 4-12 was the only significant predictor of mortality after multivariate Cox-regression analysis adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, prior exacerbations, FEV1, cardiovascular risk factors and CCI [HR 3.944, (95% confidence interval 1.647-9.433, p = 0.002)]. Ordinal CAC measured from a current or recent ungated chest CT is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in admitted AECOPD patients with no previous coronary revascularization.

Premature coronary artery disease in all-comers undergoing first PCI

Abstract Background The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) increases with age, yet some individuals develop obstructive CAD at younger age. Purpose The present analysis aimed to assess differences in baseline risk profile and 3-year adverse event risk between patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for premature or non-premature CAD. Methods We pooled patient-level data of four randomized PCI trials in all-comers (TWENTE (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01066650); DUTCH PEERS (NCT01331707); BIO-RESORT (NCT01674803); and BIONYX (NCT02508714)), who had no previous coronary revascularization (by PCI or coronary artery bypass surgery) or myocardial infarction (MI). Premature CAD was defined as CAD in men &amp;lt;50 years and in women &amp;lt;55 years, while non-premature CAD was classified as CAD in older patients. Main clinical endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of all-cause mortality, any MI, emergent coronary bypass surgery, or clinically indicated target lesion revascularization. Results Of all 6,171 PCI patients with first revascularizations, one out of seven (n=887, 14.4%) had premature CAD. These patients had lower rates of diabetes (10.6% vs. 16.6%, p&amp;lt;0.001), hypertension (32.7% vs. 50.7%, p&amp;lt;0.001), hypercholesterolemia (35.9% vs. 40.3%, p=0.012), and peripheral arterial disease (2.0% vs. 6.6%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Yet, they were more often overweight (76.2% vs. 69.8%, p&amp;lt;0.001), smoker (60.7% vs. 26.4%, p&amp;lt;0.001), and had more often a family history of CAD (59.8% vs. 44.5%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Patients with premature CAD suffered more often from acute ST-segment elevation MI and underwent less often treatment of calcified or bifurcated lesions (Table 1). At 3-year follow-up, the main endpoint MACE did not differ significantly between patients with premature and non-premature CAD (6.6% vs. 9.4%; adj.HR:0.86, 95%-CI:0.65-1.16, p=0.33; Figure 1). All-cause mortality was lower in patients with premature CAD (0.8% vs. 4.4%; adj.HR:0.23, 95%-CI:0.10-0.52, p&amp;lt;0.001). Yet, in patients with premature CAD the rate of repeated target vessel revascularization was higher than in patients with non-premature CAD (6.1% vs. 4.3%; adj.HR: 1.63, 95%-CI:1.18-2.26, p=0.003). In addition, their definite stent thrombosis risk was higher (1.0% vs. 0.5%; adj.HR:3.20, 95%-CI:1.39-7.38; p=0.006) than in patients with non-premature CAD. Conclusions One out of seven patients who were treated with PCI had premature CAD, and these patients had less complex risk profiles. Patients with premature CAD had higher risks for repeated revascularization and stent thrombosis, but the 3-year all-cause mortality risk was lower. In patients with premature CAD, long-term outcome after PCI might be improved by addressing modifiable risk factors such as smoking and overweight.Figure 1:Kaplan-Meier cumulative event

First myocardial infarction in patients with premature coronary artery disease: insights into patient characteristics and outcome after treatment with contemporary stents.

Patients with premature coronary artery disease (CAD) have a higher incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) than patients with non-premature CAD. The aim of the present study is to asess differences in clinical outcome after a first acute MI, percutaneously treated with new-generation drug-eluting stents between patients with premature and non-premature CAD. We pooled and analysed the characteristics and clinical outcome of all patients with a first MI (and no previous coronary revascularization) at time of enrolment, in four large-scale drug-eluting stent trials. Coronary artery disease was classified premature in men aged <50 and women <55 years. Myocardial infarction patients with premature and non-premature CAD were compared. The main endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE): all-cause mortality, any MI, emergent coronary artery bypass surgery, or clinically indicated target lesion revascularization. Of 3323 patients with a first MI, 582 (17.5%) had premature CAD. These patients had lower risk profiles and underwent less complex interventional procedures than patients with non-premature CAD. At 30-day follow-up, the rates of MACE [hazard ratio (HR): 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.07-0.71; P = 0.005), MI (HR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.05-0.89; P = 0.020), and target vessel failure (HR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.11-0.82; P = 0.012) were lower in patients with premature CAD. At 1 year, premature CAD was independently associated with lower rates of MACE (adjusted HR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.26-0.96; P = 0.037) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.06-0.98; P = 0.046). At 2 years, premature CAD was independently associated with lower mortality (adjusted HR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.05-0.50; P = 0.002). First MI patients with premature CAD, treated with contemporary stents, showed lower rates of MACE and all-cause mortality than patients with non-premature CAD, which is most likely related to differences in cardiovascular risk profile. TWENTE trials: TWENTE I, clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01066650), DUTCH PEERS (TWENTE II, NCT01331707), BIO-RESORT (TWENTE III, NCT01674803), and BIONYX (TWENTE IV, NCT02508714).

Impact of premature coronary artery disease on adverse event risk following first percutaneous coronary intervention.

We assessed differences in risk profile and 3-year outcome between patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for premature and non-premature coronary artery disease (CAD). The prevalence of CAD increases with age, yet some individuals develop obstructive CAD at younger age. Among participants in four randomized all-comers PCI trials, without previous coronary revascularization or myocardial infarction (MI), we compared patients with premature (men <50 years; women <55 years) and non-premature CAD. Various clinical endpoints were assessed, including multivariate analyses. Of 6,171 patients, 887 (14.4%) suffered from premature CAD. These patients had fewer risk factors than patients with non-premature CAD, but were more often smokers (60.7% vs. 26.4%) and overweight (76.2% vs. 69.8%). In addition, premature CAD patients presented more often with ST-segment elevation MI and underwent less often treatment of multiple vessels, and calcified or bifurcated lesions. Furthermore, premature CAD patients had a lower all-cause mortality risk (adj.HR: 0.23, 95%-CI: 0.10-0.52; p < 0.001), but target vessel revascularization (adj.HR: 1.63, 95%-CI: 1.18-2.26; p = 0.003) and definite stent thrombosis risks (adj.HR: 2.24, 95%-CI: 1.06-4.72; p = 0.034) were higher. MACE rates showed no statistically significant difference (6.6% vs. 9.4%; adj.HR: 0.86, 95%-CI: 0.65-1.16; p = 0.33). About one out of seven PCI patients was treated for premature CAD. These patients had less complex risk profiles than patients with non-premature CAD; yet, their risk of repeated revascularization and stent thrombosis was higher. As lifetime event risk of patients with premature CAD is known to be particularly high, further efforts should be made to improve modifiable risk factors such as smoking and overweight. (TWENTE I, clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01066650), DUTCH PEERS (TWENTE II, NCT01331707), BIO-RESORT (TWENTE III, NCT01674803), and BIONYX (TWENTE IV, NCT02508714).

Coronary artery assessment on pre transcatheter aortic valve implantation computed tomography may avoid the need for additional coronary angiography

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the percentage of coronary angiography that can be securely avoided by the interpretation of coronary arteries on pre transcatheter aortic valve implantation CT (TAVI-CT), using CT images obtained with deep-learning reconstruction and motion correction algorithms. Material and methodAll consecutive patients who underwent TAVI-CT and coronary angiography, from December 2021 to July 2022 were screened for inclusion in the study. Patients who had previous coronary artery revascularization or who did not undergo TAVI were excluded. All TAVI-CT examinations were obtained using deep-learning reconstruction and motion correction algorithms. On TAVI-CT examinations, quality and stenosis of coronary artery were analyzed retrospectively. When insufficient image quality and/or when diagnosis or doubt of one significant coronary artery stenosis, patients were considered as having possible coronary artery stenosis. The results of coronary angiography were used as the standard of reference for significant CAS. ResultsA total of 206 patients (92 men; mean age, 80.6 years) were included; of these 27/206 (13%) had significant coronary artery stenosis on coronary angiography and were referred for potential revascularization. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and accuracy of TAVI-CT to identify patients requiring coronary artery revascularization was 100% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87.2–100%), 100% (95% CI: 96.3–100%), 54% (95% CI: 46.6–61.6), 25% (95% CI: 17.0–34.0%) and 60% (95% CI: 53.1–66.9%) respectively. Intra- and inter observer variability was substantial agreement for quality and decision to recommend coronary angiography. Mean reading time was 2 ± 1.2 (standard deviation) min (range: 1–5 min). Overall, TAVI-CT could potentially rule out indication for revascularization for 97 patients (47%). ConclusionAnalysis of coronary artery on TAVI-CT using deep-learning reconstruction and motion correction algorithms can potentially safely avoid coronary angiography in 47% of patients.

Impact of previous coronary artery revascularization on outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Coexistence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) raises questions regarding the safety and efficacy of TAVI in this subset of patients. To evaluate the impact of previous coronary revascularization in terms of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on clinical outcomes after TAVI. A total of 507 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI were divided into: non-revascularization (NR), post-PCI and post-CABG groups. The endpoints were established according to VARC-2 definitions. Patients with previous coronary revascularization (36.7% of the population) were younger, more often male and their EuroSCORE II risk evaluation was significantly higher (NR 7.9% vs. post-PCI 8.0% vs. post-CABG 20.5%, p < 0.0001). Patients after PCI or CABG prior to TAVI had similar 30-day all-cause mortality rates as those without coronary revascularization at baseline (NR vs. post-PCI vs. post-CABG: 8.1% vs. 5.5% vs. 6.8%, respectively; p = 0.6). There were no differences in 12-month all-cause mortality rates between groups (NR vs. post-PCI vs. post-CABG: 15.3% vs. 14.2% vs. 16.9%, respectively; log-rank p = 0.67). In the Cox proportional-hazards regression model, acute kidney injury stage 2-3 (HR = 3.7, 95% CI: 2.14-6.33; p < 0.001) and post-TAVI stroke (HR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.57-7.8; p = 0.002) were independently correlated with 1-year mortality. TAVI seems to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of severe AS in patients with previous coronary revascularization.

2023 Guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology on the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Coronary Syndrome.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) covers a wide spectrum from persons who are asymptomatic to those presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and sudden cardiac death. Coronary atherosclerotic disease is a chronic, progressive process that leads to atherosclerotic plaque development and progression within the epicardial coronary arteries. Being a dynamic process, CAD generally presents with a prolonged stable phase, which may then suddenly become unstable and lead to an acute coronary event. Thus, the concept of "stable CAD" may be misleading, as the risk for acute events continues to exist, despite the use of pharmacological therapies and revascularization. Many advances in coronary care have been made, and guidelines from other international societies have been updated. The 2023 guidelines of the Taiwan Society of Cardiology for CAD introduce a new concept that categorizes the disease entity according to its clinical presentation into acute or chronic coronary syndromes (ACS and CCS, respectively). Previously defined as stable CAD, CCS include a heterogeneous population with or without chest pain, with or without prior ACS, and with or without previous coronary revascularization procedures. As cardiologists, we now face the complexity of CAD, which involves not only the epicardial but also the microcirculatory domains of the coronary circulation and the myocardium. New findings about the development and progression of coronary atherosclerosis have changed the clinical landscape. After a nearly 50-year ischemia-centric paradigm of coronary stenosis, growing evidence indicates that coronary atherosclerosis and its features are both diagnostic and therapeutic targets beyond obstructive CAD. Taken together, these factors have shifted the clinicians' focus from the functional evaluation of coronary ischemia to the anatomic burden of disease. Research over the past decades has strengthened the case for prevention and optimal medical therapy as central interventions in patients with CCS. Even though functional capacity has clear prognostic implications, it does not include the evaluation of non-obstructive lesions, plaque burden or additional risk-modifying factors beyond epicardial coronary stenosis-driven ischemia. The recommended first-line diagnostic tests for CCS now include coronary computed tomographic angiography, an increasingly used anatomic imaging modality capable of detecting not only obstructive but also non-obstructive coronary plaques that may be missed with stress testing. This non-invasive anatomical modality improves risk assessment and potentially allows for the appropriate allocation of preventive therapies. Initial invasive strategies cannot improve mortality or the risk of myocardial infarction. Emphasis should be placed on optimizing the control of risk factors through preventive measures, and invasive strategies should be reserved for highly selected patients with refractory symptoms, high ischemic burden, high-risk anatomies, and hemodynamically significant lesions. These guidelines provide current evidence-based diagnosis and treatment recommendations. However, the guidelines are not mandatory, and members of the Task Force fully realize that the treatment of CCS should be individualized to address each patient's circumstances. Ultimately, the decision of healthcare professionals is most important in clinical practice.

169 CARDIAC AMYLOIDOSIS AND CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: INSIGHTS FROM A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract Introduction Patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) frequently present with heart failure with various extra-cardiac red flags. However, some patients can present with typical or atypical chest pain or even mimicking an acute coronary syndrome. Significant epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) and CA can coexist, but microvascular dysfunction might also play a role. The aims of this study were to systematically investigate clinical indications for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with CA, to verify the prevalence of significant epicardial CAD and its relation to the symptoms at presentation, and to start investigating the role cardiac troponin (cTn) in this setting of patients with multiple possible causes of myocardial injury. Methods Retrospective observational study of patients with CA, both transthyretin (ATTR-CA) and light chain (AL-CA) evaluated in our Cardiac Amyloidosis Outpatient Clinic and undergoing ICA for clinical indication. Significant epicardial CAD was defined as stenosis ≥ 50% of the left main coronary artery and/or ≥ 70% of the other epicardial vessels. Results Of the 161 patients initially evaluated, 67 (42%) underwent ICA; after exclusion of those with ICA older than 5 years than CA diagnosis, the final cohort was of 61 patients, 12 (20%) AL-CA and 49 (80%) ATTR-CA. Patients with significant epicardial CAD at the index ICA had ATTR-CA and were more frequently affected by systemic hypertension and dyslipidemia. In 42 (69%) patients ICA was performed during an urgent hospitalization and in 38 (62%) patients CA diagnosis was already established/suspected at the time of the index ICA. The most common indication for ICA was chest pain (n=24, 39%), followed by dyspnea (n=21, 34%); electrocardiographic alterations/arrhythmias were the main indication for 4 patients (6.6%) while imaging for 6 (9.8%). In the remaining 6 patients (9.8%), there were other indications. Prevalence of significant epicardial CAD at the index ICA was 28% (n=17), up to 36% (n=22) if patients with previous coronary revascularization but without actual critical stenoses at index ICA were included. Among those presenting with chest pain (n=24), 9 (38%) had significant epicardial CAD at the index ICA whereas 15 (62%) did not. Considering those presenting with an acute event, the most frequent indication for ICA was chest pain (n=20, 48%); among these patients with chest pain, 55% did not have evidence of significant epicardial CAD whilst 45% did. Regarding cardiac troponin (cTn) values, concentrations at all timepoints were similar between patients with and without significant epicardial CAD at index ICA, also considering those presenting acutely and for chest pain. Conclusion In our cohort of CA patients undergoing ICA, the main clinical indication was chest pain; however, the majority of those presenting with chest pain did not have evidence of significant epicardial CAD. Significant epicardial CAD was present in around one third of patient, which is slightly less than what reported in non-amyloidotic HFpEF patients. The role of cTn in this setting is controversial, due to the possible concomitant causes of chronic and acute myocardial injury in these patients.

ANMCO Position paper: Evidence and practical indications for the use of low-dose rivaroxaban in stable coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease

In patients with atherosclerotic disease, the occurrence of atherothrombotic events is the main determinant of morbidity and mortality. Growing evidence suggests the involvement of the coagulation pathway in the atherosclerotic process and the benefit of antithrombotic agents, such as direct oral anticoagulants, which interfere with both platelet aggregation and the coagulation cascade. The COMPASS trial has shown that in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD), low-dose rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) added to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 100 mg reduces major vascular events and mortality, with an increase in major bleeding but not in fatal bleeding or involving a critical organ. The reduction in major cardiovascular events has been confirmed in the overall population with CAD and in both patients with and without a previous percutaneous coronary revascularization, and also in patients with previous coronary bypass surgery. In patients with PAD, the combination of rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily and ASA was found to reduce both major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events, including major limb amputations. In clinical practice, the use of rivaroxaban 2.5 mg co-administered with ASA has been approved in both patients with CAD and symptomatic PAD at high risk of ischemic events. However, in Italy, the national health system reimbursement is provided only for patients with PAD. In patients treated with rivaroxaban 2.5 mg, assessment and monitoring of bleeding risk is crucial to achieve the maximum clinical benefit.

The performance of SYNTAX score versus the coronary angiogram standard evaluation in the prediction of cardiovascular events in a cohort of patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Scores for prediction of cardiovascular events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or medical-therapy (MT), such as the SYNTAX score (SXscore), have been proposed, but there is no comparative assessment of their performance with the coronary angiogram standard evaluation (CASE). This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the SXscore versus the CASE in the prediction of major cardiovascular outcomes (MACCE) in patients with chronic CAD who were treated with MT or additionally submitted to CABG or PCI. Prospective cohort study of 454 patients with CAD referred for elective diagnostic coronary angiography in Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, with 40 years of age or over, which were followed on average for 6±2.0 years. Patients with acute coronary syndromes, valvular heart disease, aortic diseases, previous coronary revascularization, heart failure, chronic renal disease, history of cancer, or severe psychiatric illness were excluded. Agreement between the scores was evaluated by Kappa statistics. The performance of the scores to predict MACCE was evaluated by Cox proportional hazard models. Areas under the ROC curves were compared by the DeLong test. Patients with moderate to high SXscores or with left main or multivessel CAD (LMMCAD) in the CASE evaluation had higher rates of all-cause death and MACCE than those with low SXscore or without LMMCAD. After adjusting for confounding, only LMMCAD remained associated with the incidence of all-cause death in the total sample (HR =2.81;95% CI: 1.17-6.74) and for MACCE in patients undergoing MT (HR =8.72; 95% CI: 1.73-44.10). The ROC curves for all treatments were similar. Kappa statistics was not significant in patients submitted to MT, poor for patients treated by PCI and fair for the whole sample and patients treated with CABG. The severity of CAD defined by CASE or the SXscore provides similar prediction of the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients submitted to clinical, PCI or CABG therapies. CASE is easier to do and may be the preferential method in the stratification of risk of patients with stable CAD.

Insights from Egyptian ticagrelor study in patients who presented with acute coronary syndrome (ETS in ACS)

BackgroundDual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a thienopyridine is used to prevent thrombotic complications of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Ticagrelor is an oral, reversible inhibitor of the adenosine diphosphate receptor P2Y12 with a faster onset and more potent platelet inhibition than clopidogrel. A study was needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of generic ticagrelor in Egyptian patients.ResultsThis multicenter study included 830 patients aged above 40 years and diagnosed with ACS, with or without ST segment elevation during the preceding 6 months. They received generic ticagrelor (Thrombolinta, Global Napi Pharmaceutical Company, Egypt) (180 mg loading dose, 90 mg twice daily thereafter), added to aspirin 75–100 mg daily. The mean age of our study population was 57.5 (8.3) years and 38.3% were females. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and previous coronary revascularization were present in 70.7%, 59.2%, 80.7% and 31% of the patients, respectively, and 42.5% were current smokers. The qualifying event was unstable angina, non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in 54%, 21.8% and 24.2% of the patients, respectively. At 6 months, the primary efficacy end point—a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke—occurred in 3.4% of patients, while the secondary efficacy endpoint—a composite of the primary efficacy endpoints with the addition of hospitalization for unstable angina and urgent revascularization—occurred in 15.3%. Cardiovascular death occurred in 1.2% of the patients, myocardial infarction in 0.8%, stroke in 1.3%, hospitalization for UA in 8.1% and urgent revascularization in 3.9%. TIMI major bleeding occurred in 1.2% of patients, intracranial hemorrhage in 0.2% and TIMI minor bleeding in 13.3%. No significant difference was found between patients who underwent PCI at baseline and those who were treated conservatively regarding the primary (14 patients in each group, P = 0.931) and secondary (62 vs. 65 patients, P = 0.946) efficacy endpoints.ConclusionsIn patients who had an ACS during the 6 months preceding enrollment, treatment with generic ticagrelor led to a low rate of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke with a minor increase in the risk of major bleeding.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of coronary artery disease and revascularization in lung transplant patients.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in candidates for lung transplantation (LTx) and has historically been considered a relative contraindication to transplantation. We look to review the outcomes of LTx in patients with CAD and determine the optimum revascularization strategy in LTx candidates. PubMed, Medline and Web of Science were systematically searched by three authors for articles comparing the outcomes of LTx in patients with CAD and receiving coronary revascularization. In total 1668 articles were screened and 12 were included in this review.Preexisting CAD in LTx recipients was not associated with significantly increased postoperative morbidity or mortality. The pooled estimates of mortality rate at 1, 3 and 5 years indicated significantly inferior survival in LTx recipients with a prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) [odds ratio (OR), 1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.53-2.22; P < 0.00001; I2 = 0%; OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.21-1.91; P = 0.0003; I2 = 0%; OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.13-2.33; P = 0.008; I2 = 71%, respectively). However, contemporary literature suggests that survival rates in LTx recipients with CAD that received revascularization either by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), previous or concomitant CABG, are similar to patients who did not receive revascularization. Trends in postoperative morbidity favored CABG in the rates of myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization, whereas rates of stroke favored PCI. The composite results of this study support the consideration of patients with CAD or previous coronary revascularization for LTx. Prospective, randomized controlled trials with consistent patient populations and outcomes reporting are required to fully elucidate the optimum revascularization strategy in LTx candidates.

Current lipid-lowering approach and LDL target achievement in very high-risk patients: in-hospital results of a high-volume primary percutaneous coronary intervention tertiary center

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is a well-accepted causal risk factor for atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have shown that lipid-lowering therapies reduce cardiovascular events and have a positive effect in reducing vulnerable plaques. In particular, the recommended target for LDL-C has become more and more stringent, moving to 1.4 mmol/l (55 mg/dl) for very high-risk patients. According to the 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines, the current paradigm for lipid management favors a stepwise approach consisting of early initiation of high-intensity statin, followed by subsequent addition of ezetimibe, and ultimately a consideration of PCSK9 inhibitor treatment if LDL-C levels remain elevated. Methods We recruited 307 patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to December 2020. Baseline LDL-C concentration and prescribed hypolipemiant treatment at hospital admission and discharge were registered. Therefore, we included all consecutive patients identified as very-high cardiovascular risk, according to 2019 ESC guidelines. We stratified our population through variables independently associated with non-attainment of LDL-cholesterol such as hypertension, diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, clinical manifestations of ACS, number of main vessels treated, and complexity of the atherosclerotic disease. Results 274 patients were included. Mean age was 69,9 years (SD 11,4), 20,8 % were women, 23,7 % had diabetes, 16,4 % had PAD and 32,1 % suffered from valvular disease, mainly with mitral regurgitation or aortic stenosis no more than mild or moderate. Of 25.1% with a previous history of acute myocardial infarction, the 33,3% of whom didn’t have statin therapy pre-ACS index (p =0,001). At admission, medium cholesterol levels of patients that underwent previous coronary revascularization (25,5% of the total population) were 84,21 ± 31,2 mg/dL, not in range according to both 2016 and 2019 ESC guidelines. At discharge, 77,37 % of all the patients included received only statin therapy VS 22,63% with statin plus ezetimibe. In the subpopulation of patients with recurring ACS events with LDL pre-admission &amp;gt; 100 mg/dL,despite high dose statin, only 25% of this population were discharged adding ezetimibe (VS 75% who kept on the treatment of high dose statin without up-titration). Conclusions Management of dyslipidemia is frequently suboptimal and the gap between guidelines and clinical practice for lipid management across Europe has been exacerbated by the 2019 guidelines. A greater utilization of non-statin lipid-lowering therapies is likely needed to reach the LDL-C optimal target. A correct stratification of the risk class would help to identify, in a personalized perspective of treatment, patients at very high risk that would take advantage of more aggressive therapy to reach the lowest target of LDL-C ("the lower is better").

Relation of Previous Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and/or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention to Perioperative Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent Noncardiac Surgery

Patients with ischemic heart disease frequently undergo noncardiac surgery. We examined perioperative surgical outcomes in patients with and without previous coronary revascularization by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Adults ≥45 years old who underwent noncardiac surgery between 2010 and 2014 were identified from the National Inpatient Sample. Previous CABG and PCI were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were defined as the composite of in-hospital mortality, acute myocardial infarction, and acute ischemic stroke. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between previous coronary revascularization and surgical outcomes after adjustment for clinical covariates. We identified 25,091,140 hospitalizations for noncardiac surgery, of which 8.4% had a history of coronary revascularization (47% previous CABG without PCI, 45% previous PCI without CABG, and 8% previous CABG and PCI). Hospitalized patients with versus without previous coronary revascularization had a higher crude incidence (4.0% vs 2.6%, p<0.001) but lower odds of MACCE (adjusted odds ratio 0.96, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.98) driven by a lower risk of death and ischemic stroke. When analyzed by revascularization strategy, lower odds of MACCE were restricted to patients with previous CABG, driven by excess perioperative acute myocardial infarction risks after PCI. In patients with established cardiovascular disease, previous coronary revascularization was associated with lower odds of MACCE (adjusted odds ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.78), regardless of revascularization strategy. In conclusion, previous coronary revascularization is associated with lower odds of MACCE after noncardiac surgery, but perioperative risks vary by mode of coronary revascularization.

Oesophagopericardial fistula as a late complication of stereotactic radiotherapy for recurrent ventricular tachycardia.

Severe adverse effects of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for recurrent ventricular tachycardias (VTs) have not been reported. We describe the late complication of SBRT (25 Gy, CyberKnife, Accuray) in a 67-year-old patient with previous arterial coronary revascularization, including gastroepiploic artery, and subsequent recurrent VTs despite catheter ablation. He developed radiation oesophagitis 18 days after SBRT, which resolved on antiulcer therapy, and 6 months later was admitted for severe symptomatic ulcer. Despite intensive treatment, he died because of bleeding oesophagopericardial fistula. Post-mortem macroscopic picture shows the myocardial substrate in the inferior wall (black arrows) and adjacent oesophagopericardial fistula through the parietal pericardium (open arrows). Inset depicts radiosurgical treatment plan with coloured isodose lines. Our case illustrates that SBRT may be complicated even in a long-term course, and oesophagopericardial fistula could be one of the potential complications. Therefore, the risk/benefit of SBRT for VT should be always carefully considered, and long-term follow-up...

The ischemic cascades in contemporary patients: five distinct phenotypes assessed by ABCDE stress echocardiography

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. OnBehalf Stress Echo 2020 study group of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) Background The classical pathophysiological cornerstone of stress cardiac imaging is the ischemic cascade: alterations in coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) come first, regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) second, and global alterations of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function last. Aim To evaluate the ischemic cascade with stress echo (SE) assessed with ABCDE protocol. Methods We analyzed 1616 patients (age 66 ± 10 years, 1156, 72% males) with chest pain and angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD): 928 (57.4%) with previous myocardial infarction and 1451 (89.8%) with previous coronary revascularization. CAD patients were studied with ABCDE-SE protocol by 13 certified laboratories of 5 countries. Stress modality was exercise in 427 (26.4%) dobutamine in 173 (10.7%) and vasodilator stress in 1016 (62.9%) patients (dipyridamole in 982 – 60.8% and adenosine in 34 – 2.1% patients). Step A assessed RWMA; step B, B-lines (diastolic function); step C, left ventricular contractile reserve based on force; step D, CFVR in left anterior descending artery; step E, heart rate reserve. SE response ranged from score 0 (all steps normal) to score 5 (all steps abnormal). Follow up was obtained in all patients. Results Results were abnormal in 350 (21.7) % for step A, 572 (35.4%) for B, 666 (41.2%) for C, 546 (33.5%) for D and 643 (39.8%) for E. The distribution of positivity is shown in figure. The dominant "solitary phenotype" (only one biomarker abnormal during the test) was step A in 10 (0.6%), step B in 124 (7.7%) step C in 100 (6.2%), step D in 64 (4.0%) and step E in 157 (9.7%) patients. The overall sensitivity for CAD detection including each step of ABCDE score (≥1) was 95.7%. During median follow-up of 22 months [IQ range: 13-37 months] 279 coronary revascularizations occurred. ABCDE score predicted coronary revascularization with score 1: HR: 3.182, 95% CI: 1.699-6.067; score 2: HR: 4.921, 95% CI: 2.571-9.420; score 3: HR: 7.234, 95% CI: 3.743-13.979; score 4: HR: 24.570, 95% CI: 13.390-45.086; and score 5: HR: 38.720, 95% CI: 20.975-71.478 Conclusion Inducible ischemia with CAD is characterized by the complexity and multiplicity of diagnostic phenotypes. The overall ABCDE score predicts clinically driven revascularization. Abstract Figure. The 5 circles of ischemia biomarkers

Gender differences in outcome in patients with diabetes mellitus

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), and cardiac death (CD). The major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) between men and women in diabetic patients stratified by CAD (previous MI and/or coronary revascularization, CR) were analyzed. Methods and ResultsA cohort of 1327 consecutive diabetic patients (age 66.5 ± 9 years) underwent gated SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography). During a mean follow-up of 4.7 ± 2.2 years post gated SPECT, MACEs (non-fatal MI, CD, and late CR) were evaluated according to gender stratified by CAD. Among diabetic patients without known CAD (N = 731), men had more MACEs (sHR 1.9;95%CI 1.2-3.2) than women. Among diabetic patients with known CAD (N = 596), there was no difference in MACEs in diabetic men and women (sHR 1.15;95%CI 0.73-1.8). Diabetic women with known CAD (n = 143) were the group with the highest risk (sHR 1.7; P = .041) for MACEs (4.5% MACEs/year, [95%CI 3.1%-6.4%]), compared to the remaining diabetic patients (N = 1184) (3% MACEs/year, [95%CI 2.6%-3.5%]). ConclusionsThe prognosis of diabetic patients for MACEs is different in men and women stratified by CAD. The worst prognosis for MACEs occurs in women with known CAD.

Clinical applications of cardiac computed tomography: a consensus paper of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging-part I.

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) was introduced in the late 1990's. Since then, an increasing body of evidence on its clinical applications has rapidly emerged. From an initial emphasis on its technical efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, research around cardiac CT has now evolved towards outcomes-based studies that provide information on prognosis, safety, and cost. Thanks to the strong and compelling data generated by large, randomized control trials, the scientific societies have endorsed cardiac CT as pivotal diagnostic test for the management of appropriately selected patients with acute and chronic coronary syndrome. This consensus document endorsed by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging is divided into two parts and aims to provide a summary of the current evidence and to give updated indications on the appropriate use of cardiac CT in different clinical scenarios. This first part focuses on the most established applications of cardiac CT from primary prevention in asymptomatic patients, to the evaluation of patients with chronic coronary syndrome, acute chest pain, and previous coronary revascularization.