Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction Research Articles

Efficacy of single high-dose statin prior to percutaneous coronary intervention in acute coronary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe impacts of single high-dose statin preloading in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have not been fully examined. This study aims to evaluate post-procedure impacts of single high-dose statin pretreatment with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).MethodsThe meta-analysis reviewed Cochrane, PubMed, and Medline databases for studies comparing single high-dose atorvastatin or rosuvastatin to placebo in ACS patients undergoing PCI. The primary endpoints included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality, and target vessel revascularization (TVR) at three months. Secondary endpoints examined were the TIMI flow grade 3 and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).ResultsComprehensive analysis was conducted on fifteen RCTs, encompassing a total of 6,207 patients (3090 vs 3117 patients). The pooled results demonstrated that a single high-dose of statin administered prior to PCI led to a significant decrease in the incidence of MACE at three months post-PCI compared to the control group (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.35–0.71, p = 0.0001). The occurrence of MI (OR 0.57, 95%CI 0.42–0.77, p = 0.0002), all-cause mortality (OR 0.56, 95%CI 0.39–0.81, p = 0.0002), and TVR (OR 0.56, 95%CI 0.35–0.92, p = 0.02) was significantly lower in the statin single high-dose group compared to the control group. No significant effects on TIMI flow grade 3 (OR 1.20, 95%CI 0.94–1.53, p = 0.14) or left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 2.19, 95%CI − 0.97 to 5.34, p = 0.17) were observed. Subgroup analysis demonstrated reduced incidence of MACE with a single dose of 80 mg atorvastatin (OR 0.66, 95%CI 0.54–0.81, p < 0.0001) and 40 mg rosuvastatin (OR 0.19, 95%CI 0.07–0.54, p = 0.002).ConclusionsSingle high-dose statin before PCI in patients with ACS significantly reduces MACE, MI, all-cause mortality, and TVR three months post-PCI.

Influence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with acute coronary syndrome

To evaluate the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on hospital outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A cohort prospective study of the COPD effect on mortality and coronary microvascular obstruction (CMVO, no-reflow) development after PCI in ACS was carried out. 626 patients admitted in 2019-2020 were included, 418 (67%) - men, 208 (33%) - women. Median age - 63 [56; 70] years. Myocardial infarction with ST elevation identified in 308 patients (49%), CMVO - in 59 (9%) patients (criteria: blood flow <3 grade according to TIMI flow grade; perfusion <2 points according to Myocardial blush grade; ST segment resolution <70%). 13 (2.1%) patients died. Based on the questionnaire "Chronic Airways Diseases, A Guide for Primary Care Physicians, 2005", 2 groups of patients were identified: 197 (31%) with COPD (≥17 points) and 429 (69%) without COPD (<17 points). Groups were compared on unbalanced data (÷2 Pearson, Fisher exact test). The propensity score was calculated, and a two-way logistic regression analysis was performed. The data were balanced by the Kernel "weighting" method, logistic regression analysis was carried out using "weighting" coefficients. Results as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval. The conducted research allowed us to obtain the following results, depending on the type of analysis: 1) analysis of unbalanced data in patients with COPD: OR death 3.60 (1.16-11.12); p=0.03; OR CMVO 0.65 (0.35-1.22); p=0,18; 2) two-way analysis with propensity score: OR death 3.86 (1.09-13.74); p=0.04; OR CMVO 0.61 (0.31-1.19); p=0.15; 3) regression analysis with "weight" coefficients: OR death 12.49 (2.27-68.84); p=0.004; OR CMVO 0.63 (0.30-1.33); p=0.22. The presence of COPD in patients with ACS undergoing PCI increases mortality and does not affect the incidence of CMVO.

Utility of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Event Score (GRACE) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score (TIMI Score) in predicting 30-day Mortality in patients undergoing primary angioplasty at a Tertiary care center – A record-based study

Background This research work aims to assess the effectiveness of Global Registry Of Coronary Events (GRACE) and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk scores in predicting outcomes for patients who underwent primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). The study included a cohort from a tertiary care centre. Methods This record-based study enrolled 94 patients who underwent primary PCI after a diagnosis of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The data, for this study, was extracted from sources including, medical records. These records contained the computation and documentation of both GRACE and TIMI scores. The study also conducted Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) curve analysis, subsequently yielding the area under the curve alongside a 95% confidence interval, which was duly reported. Results The current study attempts a comparative analysis of the capacities of TIMI and GRACE scores. Accordingly, the study highlights that both are equally effective in predicting 30-day mortality for patients with STEMI. The TIMI Risk Score, with 85% sensitivity and 99% specificity metrics (also p-value = 0.008), and the GRACE Score, with 85% sensitivity and 99% specificity metrics (also p-value = 0.006), exhibit a strong similarity in the prognostic performance. Also, the sensitivity and specificity metrics were obtained after a thorough analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROCC). Conclusions The study utilized the TIMI score which demonstrated a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 99% and the GRACE Score with 85% sensitivity and 99% specificity to predict 30-day mortality in STEMI patients. This included more than one month of observation period. Post observations, the results of the experiment suggested an improvement in the left ventricular functionwhich helped to infer that recovery after primary PCI is gradual rather than an immediate and pronounced recovery.

Intracoronary microcatheter indwelling for continuous pumping of low-dose thrombolytic drugs: A new approach to reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction.

Reperfusion therapy of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) refers to physical or chemical recanalization and restoration of blood flow to an occluded coronary artery, and current techniques for reperfusion therapy include intravenous thrombolysis, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The number of patients receiving emergency CABG in the real world is decreasing due to the disadvantages of CABG and the improvement in PCI procedures. Thrombolytic therapy has some disadvantages such as low recanalization rate, high risk of reocclusion and bleeding, and short time window. On the other hand, intracoronary interventional therapy may meet the requirements of "early, complete and persistent" patency of coronary arteries at different time points. However, in the emergency PCI, although thrombus aspiration via a catheter or balloon dilation is performed, residual thrombus with heavy or low TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) myocardial perfusion grading is still observed in some patients, suggesting disordered microcirculation. Currently, the treatment of microcirculatory disturbance in emergency PCI mainly employed injection of tirofiban, adenosine, thrombolytic agent or other drugs into the local area via a microcatheter in a short time, all of which can significantly reduce the thrombus load and improve TIMI perfusion. Herein, we report that a microcatheter was indwelled in the coronary artery for continuous pumping of low-dose thrombolytic drugs as reperfusion therapy in 12 patients with acute and subacute MI.

Significance of fragmented QRS and predictors of outcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) might be associated with certain characteristics in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and inhospital adverse events. Materials and Methods: A sum of 500 patients were gone over retrospectively. Patients with STEMI, all undergone percutaneous coronary intervention, were grouped as fQRS (−) and fQRS (+). Characteristics of the patients, major adverse cardiac event (MACE), death in hospital, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis, slow flow myocardial perfusion, development of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation, cardiogenic shock and cardiopulmonary arrest were filtered. Results: FQRS (−) group was composed of 207 patients whose mean age was 61.1 ± 12.1, whereas 293 patients were there in fQRS (+) with a mean age of 66.7 ± 10.6 (P &lt; 0.001). Thrombolysis in MI (TIMI) (P &lt; 0.01), the global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) (P &lt; 0.01) scores, white blood cell count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, MACE and the ratio of death in hospital and VT in the hospital were significantly higher in fQRS (+) group (P &lt; 0.001, for remaining all). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, TIMI scores above 2 and GRACE scores above 109 were determined as independent predictors of MACE in the entire patient group (odds ratio [OR]: 2.022; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.321–3.424, P = 0.003; OR: 1.712; 95% CI: 1.156–2.804, P = 0.008). Conclusion: FQRS (+) and fQRS (−) patients markedly differ from each other in terms of certain demographic and clinical features and TIMI and GRACE scores have a significant predictive value for MACE in all STEMI patients’ group.

Association between the insufficient improvement of the quantitative flow ratio and worsening outcomes in ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction: a multicentre prospective cohort study.

Improved coronary physiological function after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to improve prognosis in stable ischaemic heart disease, but has not yet been explored in ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). The study sought to determine whether an improvement in the quantitative flow ratio (QFR) could improve the prognosis of STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Patients diagnosed with STEMI who were receiving primary PCI were recruited for the study. Those with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow <2 after wiring were excluded. The ΔQFR was calculated using the following formula: ΔQFR = post-PCI QFR - pre-stent QFR. The primary endpoint was the composite event, including recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) and acute heart failure (AHF). In total, 515 STEMI patients with a median follow-up of 364 days were enrolled in the study. Based on the cut-off value from the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, the patients were divided into the following two groups: the lower ΔQFR group (≤0.25, N=332); and the normal ΔQFR group (>0.25, N=183). Patients with a lower ΔQFR had a relatively higher rate of MI/AHF (10.5% vs. 4.4%, P=0.019) and AHF (7.2% vs. 2.7%, P=0.044). A lower ΔQFR was significantly associated with a higher incidence of MI/AHF [hazard ratio (HR) =2.962, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.358-6.459, P=0.006, respectively] after adjusting for potential confounders. Pre-stent angiographic microvascular resistance [odds ratio (OR) =1.027, 95% CI: 1.022-1.033, P<0.001] and the stent-to-vessel diameter ratio <1.13 (OR =1.766, 95% CI: 1.027-3.071, P=0.04) were independent predictors of a lower ΔQFR. An insufficient improvement in the QFR contributes to worsening outcomes and might be a useful tool for risk stratification in STEMI.

Impact of TIMI Risk Stratification on In-Hospital Mortality in Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome: Perspectives from a Coronary Intervention Facility

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) encompasses a range of conditions, including non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), which is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Risk stratification is essential for guiding management strategies to improve patient outcomes. The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score is a validated tool for predicting mortality in NSTEMI patients, yet its applicability in South Asian populations requires further investigation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of the TIMI risk score with in-hospital mortality among NSTEMI patients in a tertiary care cardiac center and to assess the relevance of the TIMI score as a prognostic tool in a South Asian context. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 126 patients presenting with NSTEMI at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Karachi. Data were collected from June 2012 to June 2013 after the institutional review board's approval. Inclusion criteria were adults aged 18 to 85 with a TIMI score ≥5, while exclusion criteria were refusal to consent and a history of cardiac surgery. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes were analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests for categorical data, with a significance level set at p≤0.05. Results: The study found that 52 (41.3%) patients had diabetes mellitus, and 78 (61.9%) suffered from hypertension. A positive family history of coronary artery disease was observed in 29 (23.0%) patients. Among participants, 42 (33.3%) were smokers. The in-hospital mortality rate was 14.3%. No significant differences were noted in mortality regarding demographic and clinical variables. Conclusion: Elevated TIMI scores in NSTEMI patients are associated with significant in-hospital mortality. The findings underscore the importance of the TIMI risk score as a predictor of short-term outcomes in a South Asian population. The study highlights the need for further validation of the TIMI score in diverse populations and the optimization of risk stratification tools.

Avaliable data for adverce cardiac events prognostication after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction

The treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is aimed at the long‑term survival of patients, so attention should be given to predicting adverse outcomes, specifically the development of heart failure, recurrent AMI, cardiovascular death, and so on. The combination of various data obtained in recent decades has helped improve prognosis, but challenges with long‑term survival after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) still exist.&#x0D; Objective — to find the optimal combination of data collected from patients with STEMI and prospectively analyzed during one‑year observation to improve the quality of prognostication.&#x0D; Materials and methods. One hundred and twenty‑eight enrolled patients visited research center to clinical examination and estimation of left ventricular (LV) function in 365±14 days follow up period after STEMI. End points such as major adverce cardiac events (MACE) — composite of cardiovascular death, recurrent MI, newly diagnosed heart failure, rhythm, and conduction disturbances were estimated. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention was successful, and all included patients had TIMI (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) &gt;2. Patients was divided into two cohorts depending on the presence of MACE: global longitudinal strain and mechanical dispersion are independent factors of it (p=0.0006 and p &lt;0.0001respectively).&#x0D; Results. We found the optimal combination of different data for prognostication of adverce outcome after 1 year after STEMI, among them occurred global longitudinal strain, left atrium volume index, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, mechanical dispersion, LV ejection fraction. They all reflect different hemodynamic sides of LV remodeling after STEMI.&#x0D; Conclusions. The model is simple and avaliable for use in medical practice.&#x0D;

VARIOUS ASPECTS OF PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF DEATH IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION AND CORONARY MICROVASCULAR OBSTRUCTION (NO-REFLOW)

HighlightsThe review analyzed the role of various preoperative indicators as predictors of long-term mortality in patients with myocardial infarction and coronary microvascular obstruction (no-reflow) that developed during percutaneous coronary intervention. As a result of a multifactorial analysis, taking into account the confounders available for evaluation, we have found that predilation serves as an independent predictor of death within two years. AbstractAim. To evaluate the role of various aspects of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) as predictors of long-term death in myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary microvascular obstruction (CMVO, no-reflow).Methods. The unmatched case-control study included 232 patients with type 1 MI and CMVO developed during PCI. CMVO criteria were as follows: TIMI flow grade &lt;3, Myocardial blush grade &lt;2, ST segment resolution after PCI &lt;70%. The “cases” group consisted of 54 (23.3%) patients who died within the next two years, the “controls” group consisted of 178 (76.7%) patients who survived. The analysis included the following indicators: predilation, high-pressure balloon post-dilation, vacuum assisted manual thromboaspiration, intra-aortic balloon pump, intracoronary administration of isosorbide dinitrate and verapamil hydrochloride, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and “potent” p2y12 inhibitors usage, bare-metal stents, stent implantation with exceeded rated burst pressure, 3 or more stents usage, PCI on more than one artery, the ratio of contrast agent volume to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) &gt;3.0. A univariate comparative analysis of the groups regarding PCI aspects and potential confounders was performed (Mann-Whitney, Fisher). To control the confounders, a multivariate analysis was carried out (logistic regression).Results. Differences were obtained for the following indicators: “predilation” – in 51 (94%) patients in the “cases” group and in 139 (78%) in the “control” group, p-value = 0.005; “intra-aortic balloon pump” – in 9 (17%) and 7 (4%) patients respectively, p-value = 0.003; “the ratio of contrast agent volume to GFR &gt;3.0” – in 26 (48%) and 48 (27%) patients, p-value = 0.005. Multivariate analysis revealed that only predilation was an independent predictor of death within two years – odds ratio 7.38 (95% confidence interval 1.70–49.04, p-value = 0.005).Conclusion. Predilation of the infarct-related coronary artery is an independent predictor of death within two years in MI patients who develop CMVO during PCI.

Navigating the Risk: “Unraveling the Relationship between Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (“TIMI” Risk Score) and Coronary Vessel Involvement in Non-ST-Elevated acute Coronary Syndrome with Respect to “Syntax” Score – A Cross-sectional Study”

Objectives: Patients with unstable angina and non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) present with a spectrum of cardiac events and death. Hence, early accurate management should be initiated. This can be achieved by risk stratifying the patients as early as possible on hospital admission. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score assessment is used widely for this purpose. It helps to standardize the approach of management and compare the extent and number of vessels involved in the coronary angiogram. This research aims to assess coronary artery disease (CAD) in individuals with NSTEMI by examining the extent of vessel involvement and the complexity of coronary artery blockages, using the SYNTAX score about the TIMI risk score. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved 60 participants who were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The TIMI risk score was computed for each individual, categorized as either &lt;4 or ≥4, and the results of their coronary angiogram were analyzed to assess the degree of vessel involvement, categorizing it as either single-vessel disease (SVD) or multi-vessel disease (MVD). The Syntax score was computed for all angiograms and divided into two groups based on whether it was ≤22 or &gt;22. Results: The average age of the participants in our study was 56 ± 10.64, with an age range of 34. Gender distribution revealed a higher proportion of males, constituting 68.3% (41 individuals), while females accounted for 31.7% (19 individuals). The angiogram results demonstrated that among the patients with TIMI score &lt;4, 70% (14 individuals) had SVD, 30% (6 individuals) had MVD, and among those with score ≥4, 15% (6 individuals) had SVD while 75% (34 individuals) had MVD. In the subgroup analysis of TIMI &lt;4, a Syntax score &lt;22 was observed in 15 cases of SVD and a score &gt;22 was observed in cases of MVD. Likewise, in the TIMI &gt;4 group, a Syntax score &lt;22 was observed in 12 cases of SVD and a score &gt;22 was observed in 28 cases of MVD. Conclusion: This study noted that patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome who underwent coronary angiogram and had a TIMI score of ≥4 were observed to have a 13-fold increased likelihood of having multi-vessel Coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to those with a TIMI score of &lt;4. TIMI score of ≥4 had a 7 times higher chance of getting a SYNTAX score &gt;22.

Ticagrelor monotherapy after a short course of dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor plus aspirin following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with versus without diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of randomized trials

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is one among the major causes of mortality all round the globe. Several anti-platelet regimens have been proposed following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this analysis, we aimed to show the adverse clinical outcomes associated with ticagrelor monotherapy after a short course of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with ticagrelor and aspirin following PCI in patients with versus without diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsElectronic databases were searched by four authors from September to November 2023. Cardiovascular outcomes and bleeding events were the endpoints of this analysis. Revman 5.4 software was used to conduct this meta-analysis. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to represent the results which were generated.ResultsThree studies with a total number of 22,574 participants enrolled from years 2013 to 2019 were included in this analysis. Results of this analysis showed that DM was associated with significantly higher risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (RR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.49 – 2.00; P = 0.00001), all-cause mortality (RR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.73 – 2.66; P = 0.00001), cardiac death (RR: 2.82, 95% CI: 1.42 – 5.60; P = 0.003), stroke (RR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.16 – 2.74; P = 0.009), myocardial infarction (RR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.17 – 2.26; P = 0.004) and stent thrombosis (RR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03 – 2.94; P = 0.04) when compared to patients without DM.However, thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) defined minor and major bleedings, bleeding defined according to the academic research consortium (BARC) type 3c (RR: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.14 – 11.90; P = 0.81) and BARC type 2, 3 or 5 (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.85 – 1.62; P = 0.34) were not significantly different.ConclusionIn patients who were treated with ticagrelor monotherapy after a short course of DAPT with ticagrelor and aspirin, DM was an independent risk factor for the significantly increased adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, TIMI and BARC defined bleeding events were not significantly different in patients with versus without DM.

Determinants of serious in-hospital complications in patients with Killip class 1/2 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Killip classification has been used to stratify the risk of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There were many reports that Killip class 3 or 4 is closely associated with poor clinical outcomes. In other words, Killip class 1 or 2 is associated with favorable clinical outcomes in patients with AMI, especially when patients received primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, some patients with Killip class 1/2 suffer from serious in-hospital complications. This study aimed to identify factors associated with serious in-hospital complications of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients with Killip class 1/2. The primary endpoint was serious in-hospital complications defined as the composite of in-hospital death and mechanical complications. We included 809 patients with STEMI, and divided them into the non-complication group (n = 791) and the complication group (n = 18). In-hospital death was observed in 14 patients (1.7%), and mechanical complications were observed in 4 patients (0.5%). Final TIMI flow ≤ 2 was more frequently observed in the complication group (33.3%) than in the non-complication group (5.4%) (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serious in-hospital complication was associated with final TIMI flow grade ≤ 2 (Odds ratio 6.040, 95% confidence interval 2.042-17.870, p = 0.001). In conclusion, serious in-hospital complication of STEMI was associated with insufficient final TIMI flow grade in patients with Killip class 1/2. If final TIMI flow grade is suboptimal after primary PCI, we may recognize the potential risk of serious complications even when patients presented as Killip class 1/2.

Risk factors for electrical storms following percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A meta-analysis.

Electrical storms (ESs) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients pose a significant challenge, affecting prognostic outcomes and increasing mortality. This meta-analysis synthesized data from 11 studies involving 9,666 AMI patients to identify risk factors associated with ES following PCI. Our findings revealed an average ES incidence of 7.70%, with identified risk factors including low thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades (0-1), elevated cardiac troponin I levels, persistent hypotension, reperfusion arrhythmias, the right coronary artery being the infarct-related artery, increased diameter of the infarct-related artery, renal dysfunction, elevated creatine kinase-MB, and bradycardia. Notably, the use of β-blockers was found to significantly reduce the risk of ES. The study underscores the importance of early identification and management of these risk factors in AMI patients undergoing PCI to prevent the occurrence of ES, highlighting the protective role of β-blockers. This research provides a foundation for future strategies aimed at reducing the incidence and improving the prognosis of ES in this patient population.

Efficacy and Safety of Deferred Stenting in Geriatric Patients with STEMI and High Thrombus Burden.

Deferred stenting has been recognized as beneficial for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) accompanied by a high thrombus burden. Nevertheless, its efficacy and safety specifically in geriatric STEMI patients remain to be elucidated. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap and assess the potential advantages of deferred stenting in an older patient cohort. In this study, 208 geriatric patients (aged 80 years) with STEMI and a high thrombus burden in the infarct-related artery (IRA) were enrolled. They were categorized into two groups: the deferred stenting group, where stent implantation was conducted after 7-8 days of continuous antithrombotic therapy, and the immediate stenting group, where stent implantation was performed immediately. In the deferred stenting group, the stents used were significantly larger in diameter and shorter in length compared to those in the immediate stenting group (p 0.05). This group also exhibited a lower incidence of distal embolism in the IRA, and higher rates of the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) blood flow grade 3 and myocardial blush grade 3 (p 0.05). Additionally, the left ventricular ejection fractions at the 1-year follow-up were significantly higher in the deferred stenting group than in the immediate stenting group (p 0.05). The rate of the major adverse cardiac events in the deferred stenting group was significantly lower than in the immediate stenting groups (p 0.05). Deferred stenting for geriatric patients with STEMI and high thrombus burden demonstrates significant clinical benefits. This approach not only reduces the incidence of distal embolism in the IRA, but also enhances myocardial tissue perfusion and preserves cardiac ejection function. Moreover, deferred stenting has proven to be safe in this patient population, indicating its potential as a preferred treatment strategy in such cases.

Establishment of CME Mouse Model Based on Autologous Thrombotic Particles and the Effect of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill on the Coronary Microvascular Blood Flow in This Model

Coronary microvascular disease poses significant clinical harm and is closely associated with major cardiovascular adverse events. Existing research has highlighted coronary microvascular embolism (CME) as an important factor. Previous studies have utilized microspheres to construct a mouse model of CME, which can partially simulate coronary microvascular disease. However, there are notable discrepancies from the clinical reality. Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (SXDP), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, is widely used in Chinese hospitals for treating coronary heart disease. Our preliminary research has indicated that SXDP effectively alleviates chest pain symptoms and improves coronary thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) blood flow in patients with angina pectoris. Nonetheless, the specific mechanism remains unclear. To address this, the current study aimed to explore the size and concentration of autologous thrombotic particles to construct a CME mouse model, taking reference from previous studies on microsphere parameters (size: 9 µm; concentration: 500 000/50 µl). Additionally, we aimed to observe the effect of SXDP on coronary microvascular blood flow in this model. The experiments revealed that the average size of 400-mesh thrombus particles closely approximated 9 µm, and the concentration suspension at a ratio of 1 : 0.15, with a volume of 50 µl, contained approximately 500 000 particles. Concurrently, we observed that 400-mesh blood clot particles induced T-wave elevation in the electrocardiogram, decreased region of interest value in laser speckle examination, downregulated CD31 and Lectin in vascular endothelium, caused thrombosis in coronary microvessels, and led to myocardial infarction. Moreover, a decrease in serum nitric oxide levels and an increase in endothelin-1 (ET-1) were observed. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of SXDP on this animal model and identified potential mechanisms underlying its ability to reverse the aforementioned pathological changes. The research findings suggest that 400-mesh blood clot particles can successfully establish a CME mouse model, and SXDP can improve coronary microvascular blood perfusion, potentially through the improvement of endothelial function.

Annual operator volume and procedural outcomes of chronic total occlusions treated with percutaneous coronary interventions: analysis based on 14,899 patients.

Low operator and institutional volume is associated with poorer procedural and long-term clinical outcomes in patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between operator volume and procedural outcomes of patients treated with PCI for chronic total occlusion (CTO). Data were obtained from the national registry of percutaneous coronary interventions (ORPKI) collected from January 2014 to December 2020. The primary endpoint was a procedural success, defined as restoration of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) II/III flow without in-hospital cardiac death and myocardial infarction, whereas secondary endpoints included periprocedural complications. Data of 14,899 CTO-PCIs were analyzed. The global procedural success was 66.1%. There was a direct relationship between the annual volume of CTO-PCIs per operator and the procedural success (OR: 1.006 [95% CI: 1.003-1.009]; P<0.001). The nonlinear relationships of annualized CTO-PCI volume per operator and adjusted outcome rates revealed that operators performing 40 CTO cases per year had the best procedural outcomes in terms of technical success (TIMI flow II/III after PCI), coronary artery perforation rate and any periprocedural complications rate (P<0.0001). Among the other factors associated with procedural success, the following can be noted: multi-vessel, left main coronary artery disease (as compared to single-vessel disease), the usage of rotablation as well as PCI within bifurcation. High-volume CTO operators achieve greater procedural success with a lower frequency of periprocedural complications. Higher annual caseload might increase the overall quality of CTO-PCI.

Novel Polygenic Risk Score and Established Clinical Risk Factors for Risk Estimation of Aortic Stenosis

Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) have proven to be as strong as or stronger than established clinical risk factors for many cardiovascular phenotypes. Whether this is true for aortic stenosis remains unknown. To develop a novel aortic stenosis PRS and compare its aortic stenosis risk estimation to established clinical risk factors. This was a longitudinal cohort study using data from the Million Veteran Program (MVP; 2011-2020), UK Biobank (2006-2010), and 6 Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) trials, including DECLARE-TIMI 58 (2013-2018), FOURIER (TIMI 59; 2013-2017), PEGASUS-TIMI 54 (2010-2014), SAVOR-TIMI 53 (2010-2013), SOLID-TIMI 52 (2009-2014), and ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 (2008-2013), which were a mix of population-based and randomized clinical trials. Individuals from UK Biobank and the MVP meeting a previously validated case/control definition for aortic stenosis were included. All individuals from TIMI trials were included unless they had a documented preexisting aortic valve replacement. Analysis took place from January 2022 to December 2023. PRS for aortic stenosis (developed using data from MVP and validated in UK Biobank) and other previously validated cardiovascular PRSs, defined either as a continuous variable or as low (bottom 20%), intermediate, and high (top 20%), and clinical risk factors. Aortic stenosis (defined using International Classification of Diseases or Current Procedural Terminology codes in UK Biobank and MVP or safety event data in the TIMI trials). The median (IQR) age in MVP was 67 (57-73) years, and 135 140 of 147 104 participants (92%) were male. The median (IQR) age in the TIMI trials was 66 (54-78) years, and 45 524 of 59 866 participants (71%) were male. The best aortic stenosis PRS incorporated 5 170 041 single-nucleotide variants and was associated with aortic stenosis in both the MVP testing sample (odds ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.37-1.45 per 1 SD PRS; P = 4.6 × 10-116) and TIMI trials (hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.27-1.62 per 1 SD PRS; P = 3.2 × 10-9). Among genetic and clinical risk factors, the aortic stenosis PRS performed comparably to most risk factors besides age, and within a given age range, the combination of clinical and genetic risk factors was additive, providing a 3- to 4-fold increased gradient of risk of aortic stenosis. However, the addition of the aortic stenosis PRS to a model including clinical risk factors only improved risk discrimination of aortic stenosis by 0.01 to 0.02 (C index in MVP: 0.78 with clinical risk factors, 0.79 with risk factors and aortic stenosis PRS; C index in TIMI: 0.71 with clinical risk factors, 0.73 with risk factors and aortic stenosis PRS). This study developed and validated 1 of the first aortic stenosis PRSs. While aortic stenosis genetic risk was independent from clinical risk factors and performed comparably to all other risk factors besides age, genetic risk resulted in only a small improvement in overall aortic stenosis risk discrimination beyond age and clinical risk factors. This work sets the stage for further development of an aortic stenosis PRS.

Use of the Indigo CAT RX aspiration system during percutaneous coronary intervention.

The use of the Indigo CAT RX Aspiration System (Penumbra Inc.) during percutaneous coronary intervention has received limited study. We retrospectively examined the clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics, outcomes, and follow-up of patients who underwent mechanical aspiration thrombectomy with the Indigo CAT RX system (Penumbra Inc.) at a large tertiary care hospital between January 2019 and April 2023. During the study period, 83 patients (85 lesions) underwent thrombectomy with the Indigo CAT RX. Mean patient age was 64.9 ± 14.48 years and 31.2% were women. The most common presentations were ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) (66.2%) and non-ST-segment elevation MI (26.5%). A final thrombolysis in MI flow grade of 3 and final myocardial blush grade of 3 were achieved in 76% and 46% of the cases, respectively. Technical success was achieved in 88.9% of the cases that included Indigo CAT RX treatment only, compared with 57.1% of the cases that also included manual aspiration. There were no device-related serious adverse events. At 30-day postprocedure, the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (composite of cardiovascular death, recurrent MI, cardiogenic shock, new or worsening New York Heart Association Class IV heart failure, stroke) was 8.5%: 1.3% stroke (postprocedure, in-hospital), 1.3% MI, 6.1% cardiac death, and 7.5% developed cardiogenic shock. Use of the Indigo CAT RX system is associated with high technical success and acceptable risk of complications, including stroke.

Angiographic characteristics of patients with STEMI and COVID-19: Insights from NACMI registry

BackgroundTo date, there has been no independent core lab angiographic analysis of patients with COVID-19 and STEMI. The study characterized the angiographic parameters of patients with COVID-19 and STEMI. MethodsAngiograms of patients with COVID-19 and STEMI from the North American COVID-19 Myocardial Infarction (NACMI) Registry were sent to a Core Laboratory in Vancouver, Canada. Culprit lesion(s), Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow, Thrombus Grade Burden (TGB), and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcome were assessed. ResultsFrom 234 patients, 74% had one culprit lesion, 14% had multiple culprits and 12% had no culprit identified. Multivessel thrombotic disease and multivessel CAD were found in 27% and 53% of patients, respectively. Stent thrombosis accounted for 12% of the presentations and occurred in 55% of patients with previous coronary stents. Of the 182 who underwent PCI, 60 (33%) had unsuccessful PCI due to post-PCI TIMI flow <3 (43/60), residual high thrombus burden (41/60) and/or thrombus related complications (27/60). In-hospital mortality for successful, partially successful, and unsuccessful PCI was 14%, 13%, and 27%, respectively. Unsuccessful PCI was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality (risk ratio [RR] 1.96; 95% CI: 1.05-3.66, P = .03); in the adjusted model this estimate was attenuated (RR: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.65-2.34, P = .51). ConclusionIn patients with COVID-19 and STEMI, thrombus burden was pervasive with notable rates of multivessel thrombotic disease and stent thrombosis. Post-PCI, persistent thrombus and sub-optimal TIMI 3 flow rates led to one-third of the PCI's being unsuccessful, which decreased over time but remained an important predictor of in-hospital mortality.

Age shock index as an early predictor of cardiovascular death in acute coronary syndrome patients.

The shock index (SI), reflecting heart rate (HR) to SBP ratio, is established for predicting adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Exploring the age shock index (ASI), obtained by multiplying SI with age, could offer further insights into ACS prognosis. Assess ASI's effectiveness in predicting in-hospital death in individuals with ACS. This study encompassed patients with acute myocardial infarction, drawn from a national registry spanning October 2010 to January 2022. The optimal ASI threshold was established using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. A total of 27 312 patients were enrolled, exhibiting a mean age of 66 ± 13 years, with 72.3% being male and 47.5% having ST-elevation myocardial infarction. ROC analysis yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80, identifying the optimal ASI cutoff as 44. Multivariate regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders, established ASI ≥ 44 as an independent predictor of in-hospital death [hazard ratio: 3.09, 95% confidence interval: 2.56-3.71, P < 0.001]. Furthermore, ASI emerged as a notably superior predictor of in-hospital death compared to the SI (AUC ASI = 0.80 vs. AUC SI = 0.72, P < 0.0001), though it did not outperform the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score (AUC ASI = 0.80 vs. AUC GRACE = 0.85, P < 0.001) or thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk index (AUC ASI = 0.80 vs. AUC TIMI = 0.84, P < 0.001). The ASI offers an expedient mean to promptly identify ACS patients at elevated risk of in-hospital death. Its simplicity and effectiveness could render it a valuable tool for early risk stratification in this population.