Endovascular therapeutic hypothermia adjunctive to percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction: realistic simulation as a game changer.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular therapeutic hypothermia (ETH) reduces the damage by ischemia/reperfusion cell syndrome in cardiac arrest and has been studied as an adjuvant therapy to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). New available advanced technology allows cooling much faster, but there is paucity of resources for training to avoid delays in door-to-balloon time (DTB) due to ETH and subsequently coronary reperfusion, which would derail the procedure. The aim of the study was to describe the process for the development of a simulation, training & educational protocol for the multidisciplinary team to perform optimized ETH as an adjunctive therapy for STEMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: We developed an optimized simulation protocol using modern mannequins in different realistic scenarios for the treatment of patients undergoing ETH adjunctive to PCI for STEMIs starting from the emergency room, through the CathLab, and to the intensive care unit (ICU) using the Proteus® Endovascular System (Zoll Circulation Inc™, San Jose, CA, USA). The primary endpoint was door-to-balloon (DTB) time. We successfully trained 361 multidisciplinary professionals in realistic simulation using modern mannequins and sham situations in divisions of the hospital where real patients would be treated. The focus of simulation and training was logistical optimization and educational debriefing with strategies to reduce waste of time in patient's transportation from different departments, and avoiding excessive rewarming during transfer. Afterwards, the EHT protocol was successfully validated in a trial randomizing 50 patients for 18 minutes cooling before coronary recanalization at the target temperature of 32 ± 1.0 ∘C or PCI-only. A total of 35 patients underwent ETH (85.7% [30/35] in 90 ± 15 minutes), without delays in the mean door-to-balloon time for primary PCI when compared to 15 control group patients (92.1 minutes versus 87 minutes, respectively; p = 0.509). CONCLUSIONS: Realistic simulation, intensive training and educational debriefing for the multidisciplinary team propitiated feasible endovascular therapeutic hypothermia as an adjuvant therapy to primary PCI in STEMI. CLINICALTRIALS: gov: NCT02664194.

Usefulness of the updated logistic clinical SYNTAX score after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery: Insights from the GLOBAL LEADERS trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the prognostic utility of the anatomical CABG SYNTAX and logistic clinical SYNTAX scores for mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG). BACKGROUND: The anatomical SYNTAX score evaluated the anatomical complexity of coronary artery disease and helped predict the prognosis of patients undergoing PCI. The anatomical CABG SYNTAX score was derived from the anatomical SYNTAX score in patients with prior CABG, whilst the logistic clinical SYNTAX score was developed by incorporating clinical factors into the anatomical SYNTAX score. METHODS: We calculated the anatomical CABG SYNTAX score and logistic clinical SYNTAX score in 205 patients in the GLOBAL LEADERS trial. The predictive abilities of these scores for 2-year all-cause mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Using the median scores as categorical thresholds between low and high score groups, the logistic clinical SYNTAX score was able to discriminate the risk of 2-year mortality, unlike the anatomical CABG SYNTAX score. The logistic clinical SYNTAX was significantly better at predicting 2-year mortality, compared to the anatomical CABG SYNTAX score, as evidenced by AUC values in receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis (0.806 vs. 0.582, p < .001) and integrated discrimination improvement (0.121, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The logistic clinical SYNTAX score was superior to the anatomical CABG SYNTAX score in predicting 2-year mortality.

Low platelet reactivity in patients with myocardial infarction treated with aspirin plus ticagrelor.

OBJECTIVE: Low platelet reactivity levels are associated with higher risk of bleeding in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy relative to patients with optimal platelet blockade. This study set out to evaluate the prevalence of low platelet reactivity in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with ticagrelor and aspirin. METHODS: Patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction who were already undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticagrelor were enrolled. Blood samples were collected 1 hour before and 2 hours after the maintenance dose of ticagrelor to investigate trough and the peak effects of the drug respectively. Platelet reactivity was measured by three methods: Multiplate®, PFA-100® with Innovance® PFA-P2Y cartridge and PFA-100® with Collagen/ADP cartridge. Platelet reactivity was assessed in the presence of peak levels of ticagrelor and defined according to previously validated cut-offs for each method (<19 AUC, >299 seconds and >116 seconds respectively). The level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Fifty patients were enrolled (44% with ST-elevation). Median duration of DAPT was 3 days (interquartile range, 2-5 days). On average, peak and trough platelet reactivity were markedly low and did not differ between different methods. Low platelet reactivity was common, but varied according to analytic method (PFA-100®/Innovance®PFA-P2Y: 86%; Multiplate®: 74%; PFA-100®/Collagen/ADP: 48%; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Low platelet reactivity was very common in patients with acute myocardial infarction submitted to dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor and aspirin. Findings of this study justify the investigation of less intensive platelet inhibition strategies aimed at reducing the risk of bleeding in this population, such as lower dose regimens or monotherapy with P2Y12 inhibitors.

Cooling as an Adjunctive Therapy to Percutaneous Intervention in Acute Myocardial Infarction: COOL-MI InCor Trial.

Endovascular Therapeutic hypothermia (ETH) reduces the damage caused by postischemia reperfusion injury syndrome in cardiopulmonary arrest and has already established its role in patients with sudden death; however, its role in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains controversial. The objectives of this study were to investigate the safety, feasibility, and 30-day efficacy of rapid induction of therapeutic hypothermia as adjunctive therapy to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with anterior and inferior STEMIs. This was a prospective, controlled, randomized, two-arm, prospective, interventional study of patients admitted to the emergency department within 6 hours of angina onset, with anterior or inferior STEMI eligible for PCI. Subjects were randomized to the hypothermia group (primary PCI+ETH) or to the control group (primary PCI) at a 4:1 ratio. The ETH was induced by 1 L cold saline (1-4°C) associated with the Proteus™ System, by cooling for at least 18 minutes before coronary reperfusion with a target temperature of 32°C ± 1°C. Maintenance of ETH was conducted for 1-3 hours, and active reheating was done at a rate of 1°C/h for 4 hours. Primary safety outcomes were the feasibility of ETH in the absence of (1) door-to-balloon (DTB) delay; (2) major adverse cardiac events (MACE) within 30 days after randomization. The primary outcomes of effectiveness were infarct size (IS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 30 days. An as-treated statistical analysis was performed. Fifty patients were included: 35 (70%) randomized to the hypothermia group and 15 (30%) to the control group. The mean age was 58 ± 12 years; 78% were men; and associated diseases were 60% hypertension, 42% diabetes, and 72% dyslipidemia. The compromised myocardial wall was anterior in 38% and inferior in 62%, and the culprit vessels were left anterior descending artery (LAD) (40%), right coronary artery (38%), and left circumflex (18%). All 35 patients who attempted ETH (100%) had successful cooling, with a mean endovascular coronary reperfusion temperature of 33.1°C ± 0.9°C. The mean ischemic time was 375 ± 89.4 minutes in the hypothermia group and 359.5 ± 99.4 minutes in the control group. The mean DTB was 92.1 ± 20.5 minutes in the hypothermia group and 87 ± 24.4 minutes in the control group. The absolute difference of 5.1 minutes was not statistically significant (p = 0.509). The MACE rates were similar between both groups (21.7% vs. 20% respectively, p = 0.237). In the comparison between the hypothermia and control groups, no statistically significant differences were observed at 30 days between mean IS (13.9% ± 8% vs. 13.8% ± 10.8%, respectively, p = 0.801) and mean final LVEF (43.3% ± 11.2% vs. 48.3 ± 10.9%, respectively; p = 0.194). Hypothermia as an adjunctive therapy to primary PCI in STEMI is feasible and can be implemented without delay in coronary reperfusion. Hypothermia was safe regarding the incidence of MACE at 30 days. However, there was a higher incidence of arrhythmia and in-hospital infection in the hypothermia group, with no increase in mortality. Regarding efficacy, there was no difference in IS or LVEF at 30 days that would suggest additional myocardial protection with ETH. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02664194.

Impact of Bleeding and Myocardial Infarction on Mortality in All-Comer Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding and myocardial infarction (MI) after percutaneous coronary intervention are independent risk factors for mortality. This study aimed to investigate the association of all-cause mortality after percutaneous coronary intervention with site-reported bleeding and MI, when considered as individual, repeated, or combined events. METHODS: We used the data from the GLOBAL LEADERS trial (GLOBAL LEADERS: A Clinical Study Comparing Two Forms of Anti-Platelet Therapy After Stent Implantation), an all-comers trial of 15 968 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Bleeding was defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) 2, 3, or 5, whereas MI included periprocedural and spontaneous MIs according to the Third Universal Definition. RESULTS: At 2-year follow-up, 1061 and 498 patients (6.64% and 3.12%) experienced bleeding and MI, respectively. Patients with a bleeding event had a 10.8% mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 5.97 [95% CI, 4.76-7.49]; P<0.001), and the mortality of patients with an MI was 10.4% (HR, 5.06 [95% CI, 3.72-6.90]; P<0.001), whereas the overall mortality was 2.99%. Albeit reduced over time, MI and even minor BARC 2 bleeding significantly influenced mortality beyond 1 year after adverse events (HR of MI, 2.32 [95% CI, 1.18-4.55]; P=0.014, and HR of BARC 2 bleeding, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.02-3.15]; P=0.044). The mortality rates in patients with repetitive bleeding, repetitive MI, and both bleeding and MI were 16.1%, 19.2%, and 19.0%, and their HRs for 2-year mortality were 8.58 (95% CI, 5.63-13.09; P<0.001), 5.57 (95% CI, 2.53-12.25; P<0.001), and 6.60 (95% CI, 3.44-12.65; P<0.001), respectively. De-escalation of antiplatelet therapy at the time of BARC 3 bleeding was associated with a lower subsequent bleeding or MI rate, compared with continuation of antiplatelet therapy (HR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.11-0.92]; P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: The fatal impact of bleeding and MI persisted beyond one year. Additional bleeding or MIs resulted in a poorer prognosis. De-escalation of antiplatelet therapy at the time of BARC 3 bleeding could have a major safety merit. These results emphasize the importance of considering the net clinical benefit including ischemic and bleeding events. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01813435.

Low platelet reactivity in patients with myocardial infarction treated with aspirin plus ticagrelor

ABSTRACT Objective: Low platelet reactivity levels are associated with higher risk of bleeding in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy relative to patients with optimal platelet blockade. This study set out to evaluate the prevalence of low platelet reactivity in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with ticagrelor and aspirin. Methods: Patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction who were already undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and ticagrelor were enrolled. Blood samples were collected 1 hour before and 2 hours after the maintenance dose of ticagrelor to investigate trough and the peak effects of the drug respectively. Platelet reactivity was measured by three methods: Multiplate®, PFA-100® with Innovance® PFA-P2Y cartridge and PFA-100® with Collagen/ADP cartridge. Platelet reactivity was assessed in the presence of peak levels of ticagrelor and defined according to previously validated cut-offs for each method (<19 AUC, >299 seconds and >116 seconds respectively). The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Fifty patients were enrolled (44% with ST-elevation). Median duration of DAPT was 3 days (interquartile range, 2-5 days). On average, peak and trough platelet reactivity were markedly low and did not differ between different methods. Low platelet reactivity was common, but varied according to analytic method (PFA-100®/Innovance®PFA-P2Y: 86%; Multiplate®: 74%; PFA-100®/Collagen/ADP: 48%; p<0.001). Conclusion: Low platelet reactivity was very common in patients with acute myocardial infarction submitted to dual antiplatelet therapy with ticagrelor and aspirin. Findings of this study justify the investigation of less intensive platelet inhibition strategies aimed at reducing the risk of bleeding in this population, such as lower dose regimens or monotherapy with P2Y12 inhibitors.

EuroSCORE II and STS as mortality predictors in patients undergoing TAVI.

INTRODUCTION: the EuroSCORE II and STS are the most used scores for surgical risk stratification and indication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, its role as a tool for mortality prediction in patients undergoing TAVI is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the performance of the EuroSCORE II and STS as predictors of in-hospital and 30-day mortality in patients undergoing TAVI. METHODS: we included 59 symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis that underwent TAVI between 2010 and 2014. The variables were analyzed using Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test and the discriminative power was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: mean age was 81±7.3 years, 42.3% men. The mean EuroSCORE II was 7.6±7.3 % and STS was 20.7±10.3%. Transfemoral procedure was performed in 88.13%, transapical in 3.38% and transaortic in 8.47%. In-hospital mortality was 10.1% and 30-day mortality was 13.5%. Patients who died had EuroSCORE II and STS higher than the survivors (33.7±16.7vs. 18.6±7.3% p=0,0001 for STS and 13.9±16.1 vs. 4.8±3.8% p=0.0007 for EuroSCORE II). The STS showed an AUC of 0.81 and the EuroSCORE II of 0.77 and there were no differences in the discrimination ability using ROC curves (p=0.72). CONCLUSION: in this cohort, the STS and EuroSCORE II were predictors of in-hospital and 30-days mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.

Peri/Epicellular Protein Disulfide Isomerase Sustains Vascular Lumen Caliber Through an Anticonstrictive Remodeling Effect.

Whole-vessel remodeling critically determines lumen caliber in vascular (patho)physiology, and it is reportedly redox-dependent. We hypothesized that the cell-surface pool of the endoplasmic reticulum redox chaperone protein disulfide isomerase-A1 (peri/epicellular=pecPDI), which is known to support thrombosis, also regulates disease-associated vascular architecture. In human coronary atheromas, PDI expression inversely correlated with constrictive remodeling and plaque stability. In a rabbit iliac artery overdistension model, there was unusually high PDI upregulation (≈25-fold versus basal, 14 days postinjury), involving both intracellular and pecPDI. PecPDI neutralization with distinct anti-PDI antibodies did not enhance endoplasmic reticulum stress or apoptosis. In vivo pecPDI neutralization with PDI antibody-containing perivascular gel from days 12 to 14 post injury promoted 25% decrease in the maximally dilated arteriographic vascular caliber. There was corresponding whole-vessel circumference loss using optical coherence tomography without change in neointima, which indicates constrictive remodeling. This was accompanied by decreased hydrogen peroxide generation. Constrictive remodeling was corroborated by marked changes in collagen organization, that is, switching from circumferential to radial fiber orientation and to a more rigid fiber type. The cytoskeleton architecture was also disrupted; there was a loss of stress fiber coherent organization and a switch from thin to medium thickness actin fibers, all leading to impaired viscoelastic ductility. Total and PDI-associated expressions of ß1-integrin, and levels of reduced cell-surface ß1-integrin, were diminished after PDI antibody treatment, implicating ß1-integrin as a likely pecPDI target during vessel repair. Indeed, focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation, a downstream ß1-integrin effector, was decreased by PDI antibody. Thus, the upregulated pecPDI pool tunes matrix/cytoskeleton reshaping to counteract inward remodeling in vascular pathophysiology.

Comparison between young males and females with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the differences between young males and females after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 236 patients (54 females and 182 males) after acute myocardial infarction and during hospital stay assessed the following parameters: risk factors; the treatment used; the pattern of coronary artery obstruction; left ventricular ejection fraction; complications; and, using a logistic regression model, the factors related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the sexes in risk factors, pattern of coronary artery obstruction, and left ventricular function. The time interval between symptom onset and treatment was longer in females (p=0.03), who underwent thrombolysis (p=0.01) and angioplasty (p=0.03) less frequently than males did, but not myocardial revascularization. Female sex (OR = 5.98) and diabetes (OR = 14.52) were independent factors related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death. CONCLUSION: Young males and females after acute myocardial infarction did not differ in coronary risk factors, and clinical and hemodynamic characteristics. Females had their treatment started later, and they underwent chemical thrombolysis and angioplasty less frequently than males did. Female sex and diabetes were related to the occurrence of reinfarction and death.

Hemodynamic Effects of Noninvasive Ventilation in Patients with Venocapillary Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background: The hemodynamic effects of noninvasive ventilation with positive pressure in patients with pulmonary hypertension without left ventricular dysfunction are not clearly established. Objectives: Analyze the impact of increasing airway pressure with continuous positive airway pressure on hemodynamic parameters and, in particular, on cardiac output in patients with variable degrees of pulmonary hypertension. Methods: The study included 38 patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by mitral stenosis without left ventricular dysfunction or other significant valvulopathy. The hemodynamic state of these patients was analyzed in three conditions: baseline, after continuous positive pressure of 7 cmH2O and, finally, after pressure of 14 cmH2O. Results: The population was composed of predominantly young and female individuals with significant elevation in pulmonary arterial pressure (mean systolic pressure of 57 mmHg). Of all variables analyzed, only the right atrial pressure changed across the analyzed moments (from the baseline condition to the pressure of 14 cmH2O there was a change from 8 ± 4 mmHg to 11 ± 3 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.031). Even though there was no variation in mean cardiac output, increased values in pulmonary artery pressure were associated with increased cardiac output. There was no harmful effect or other clinical instability associated with use application of airway pressure. Conclusion: In patients with venocapillary pulmonary hypertension without left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac output response was directly associated with the degree of pulmonary hypertension. The application of noninvasive ventilation did not cause complications directly related to the ventilation systems.

Preclinical study of a biodegradable polymer-based stent with abluminal sirolimus release.

BACKGROUND: Bioabsorbable polymer stents with drug elution only on the abluminal surface may be safer than durable polymer drug-eluting stents. OBJECTIVE: To report the experimental findings with the Inspiron™ stent - a bioabsorbable polymer-coated stent with sirolimus release from the abluminal surface only, recently approved for clinical use. METHODS: 45 stents were implanted in the coronary arteries of 15 pigs. On day 28 after implantation, angiographic, intracoronary ultrasonographic and histomorphological data were collected. Five groups were analyzed: Group I (nine bare-metal stents); Group II (nine coated with bioabsorbable polymer on the luminal and abluminal surfaces); Group III (eight stents coated with bioabsorbable polymer on the abluminal surface); Group IV (nine stents with bioabsorbable polymer and sirolimus on the luminal and abluminal surfaces); and Group V (ten stents with bioabsorbable polymer and sirolimus only on the abluminal surface). RESULTS: The following results were observed for Groups I, II, III, IV and V, respectively: percentage stenosis of 29 ± 20; 36 ± 14; 33 ± 19; 22 ± 13 and 26 ± 15 (p = 0.443); late lumen loss (in mm) of 1.02 ± 0.60; 1.24 ± 0.48; 1.11 ± 0.54; 0.72 ± 0.44 and 0.78 ± 0.39 (p = 0.253); neointimal area (in mm(2)) of 2.60 ± 1.99; 2.74 ± 1.51; 2.74 ± 1.30; 1.30 ± 1.14 and 0.97 ± 0.84 (p = 0.001; Groups IV and V versus Groups I, II and III); and percentage neointimal area of 35 ± 25; 38 ± 18; 39 ± 19; 19 ± 18 and 15 ± 12 (p = 0.001; Groups IV and V versus Groups I, II and III). Injury and inflammation scores were low and with no differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: The Inspiron™ stent proved to be safe and was able to significantly inhibit the neointimal hyperplasia observed on day 28 after implantation in porcine coronary arteries.

Optical coherence tomography in conjunction with bronchoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of and the potential for using optical coherence tomography in conjunction with conventional bronchoscopy in the evaluation of the airways. METHODS: This was a pilot study based on an ex vivo experimental model involving three animals: one adult New Zealand rabbit and two Landrace pigs. An optical coherence tomography imaging catheter was inserted through the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope in order to reach the distal trachea of the animals. Images of the walls of the trachea were systematically taken along its entire length, from the distal to the proximal portion. RESULTS: The imaging catheter was easily adapted to the working channel of the bronchoscope. High-resolution images of cross sections of the trachea were taken in real time, precisely delineating microstructures, such as the epithelium, submucosa, and cartilage, as well as the adventitia of the anterior and lateral tracheal walls. The corresponding layers of the epithelium, mucosa, and cartilage were clearly differentiated. The mucosa, submucosa, and trachealis muscle were clearly identified in the posterior wall. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to use an optical coherence tomography imaging catheter in combination with a flexible bronchoscope. Optical coherence tomography produces high-resolution images that reveal the microanatomy of the trachea, including structures that are typically seen only on images produced by conventional histology.

Assessment of stent strut endothelialization in iliac arteries of rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Fast post-implantation stent endothelialization is desirable for theoretically reducing the possibility of stent thrombosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent of sirolimus-eluting stent strut endothelialization (delivered from the luminal and abluminal aspects or abluminal aspect only) in the iliac arteries of rabbits. METHODS: The iliac arteries of 10 rabbits were implanted with four sirolimus-eluting stents in the luminal and abluminal aspects, three sirolimus-eluting stents in the abluminal aspect, six polymer-coated stents, and four uncoated stents. After four weeks, the rabbits were euthanized and scanning electron microscopy was performed to quantify the area of exposed stent strut as well as the percentage of endothelialization. RESULTS: The area (mean ± SD) (mm(2)) of exposed uncoated stent struts, polymer-coated stents, sirulimus-eluting stent in the abluminal and luminal aspects and sirolimus-eluting stent in the abluminal aspect was 0.12 ± 0.08, 0.09 ± 0.12, 0.60 ± 0.67 and 0.05 ± 0.04, respectively (p = 0.120). The percentage of endothelialization (mean ± SD) (%) of uncoated stents, polymer-coated stents, sirolimus-eluting stents in the luminal and abluminal aspects and sirolimus-eluting stents in the abluminal aspect was 99 ± 01, 99 ± 0. 97 ± 03 and 99 ± 0, respectively (p = 0.133). CONCLUSION: After four weeks of implantation in the iliac arteries of rabbits, both the sirolimus-eluting stents in the luminal plus abluminal aspects and those in the abluminal aspect only showed stent strut endothelialization rates similar to those of the other types of non-drug eluting stents.

Síndrome coronariana aguda em indivíduos com revascularização cirúrgicaou percutânea prévia / Acute coronary syndrome in individuals with previous surgical or percutaneous revascularization

Aproximadamente 30% dos pacientes que se apresentam com quadro de síndrome coronariana aguda têm revascularização prévia do miocárdio. Os eventos coronarianos subsequentes à revascularização do miocárdio podem ocorrer por progressão da doença aterosclerótica no leito coronário nativo, evento relacionado ao stent (reestenose, trombose ou neoaterosclerose) ou evento relacionado à cirurgia de revascularização domiocárdio (degeneração ou oclusão de enxertos cirúrgicos). Esses pacientes que necessitamde um novo procedimento de revascularização têm perfil de alto risco, geralmente associado a doença renal crônica, diabetes mellitus, doença arterial periférica, além deelevada carga aterosclerótica no leito coronariano nativo, degeneração de enxertos de veia safena e reestenose de stents. Este cenário faz com que o segundo procedimento de revascularização tenha maior risco e maior complexidade. Neste artigo discutiremos as características clínicas e as possibilidades terapêuticas de pacientes com SCA e revascularização percutânea ou cirúrgica prévias.

Around 30% of patients who present acute coronary syndrome have undergone previous myocardial revascularization. Coronary events following myocardial revascularization can occur due to progression of atherosclerotic disease in the native coronary bed, an event related to the stent (restenosis, thrombosis or neoatherosclerosis) or to the myocardial revascularization surgery (degeneration or occlusion of surgical grafts). These patients who need a new revascularization procedure have a high-risk profile, generally associated with chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral arterial disease, as well as a high atherosclerotic burden in the native coronary bed, degeneration of grafts of the saphenous vein, and restenosis of stents. This scenario confers a higher risk and greater complexity on the second revascularization procedure. In this article, we discuss the clinical characteristics and therapeutic possibilities of patients with ACS and previous percutaneous or surgical revascularization.

EuroSCORE II and STS as mortality predictors in patients undergoing TAVI / EuroSCORE II e STS como preditores de mortalidade em pacientes submetidos ao TAVI

SUMMARY Introduction: the EuroSCORE II and STS are the most used scores for surgical risk stratification and indication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, its role as a tool for mortality prediction in patients undergoing TAVI is still unclear. Objective: to evaluate the performance of the EuroSCORE II and STS as predictors of in-hospital and 30-day mortality in patients undergoing TAVI. Methods: we included 59 symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis that underwent TAVI between 2010 and 2014. The variables were analyzed using Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test and the discriminative power was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) with a 95% confidence interval. Results: mean age was 81±7.3 years, 42.3% men. The mean EuroSCORE II was 7.6±7.3 % and STS was 20.7±10.3%. Transfemoral procedure was performed in 88.13%, transapical in 3.38% and transaortic in 8.47%. In-hospital mortality was 10.1% and 30-day mortality was 13.5%. Patients who died had EuroSCORE II and STS higher than the survivors (33.7±16.7vs. 18.6±7.3% p=0,0001 for STS and 13.9±16.1 vs. 4.8±3.8% p=0.0007 for EuroSCORE II). The STS showed an AUC of 0.81 and the EuroSCORE II of 0.77 and there were no differences in the discrimination ability using ROC curves (p=0.72). Conclusion: in this cohort, the STS and EuroSCORE II were predictors of in-hospital and 30-days mortality in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI.

RESUMO Introdução: STS e EuroSCORE II são os escores mais utilizados para a estratificação de risco cirúrgico e indicação do implante de válvula aórtica transcateter (TAVI). Entretanto, seu papel como ferramenta para predição de mortalidade em pacientes submetidos ao TAVI ainda é incerto. Objetivo: avaliar o desempenho do EuroSCORE II e STS como preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar em 30 dias em pacientes submetidos ao TAVI. Métodos: 59 pacientes com estenose aórtica importante submetidos ao TAVI entre 2010 e 2014. Variáveis foram analisadas por meio do teste t-Student e teste exato de Fisher, e o poder discriminativo foi avaliado pela curva ROC e área sob a curva, acompanhada de intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: a idade média foi de 81±7,3 anos, 42,3% homens. Média do EuroSCORE II foi de 6,07±7,3%, e do STS, 20,7±10,3%. Procedimento transfemoral foi realizado em 88,13%, transapical, em 3,38% e transaórtico, em 8,47%. A mortalidade intra-hospitalar foi 10,1%, e em 30 dias, 13,5%. Os pacientes que evoluíram para óbito apresentavam STS e EuroSCORE II mais elevados que os sobreviventes (33,7±16,7% vs. 18,6±7,3%; p=0,0001 para STS e 13,9±16,1% vs. 4,8±3,8%; p=0,0007 para EuroSCORE II). O STS apresentou AUC de 0,81, e o EuroSCORE II, 0,77. Não houve diferença na capacidade de discriminação pelas curvas ROC (p=0,72). Conclusão: STS e EuroSCORE II foram preditores de mortalidade intra-hospitalar em 30 dias.

Extensa dissecção coronária espontânea com boa evolução clínica mantida sob tratamento conservador / Extensive spontaneous coronary dissection with favorable evolution maintained under conservative treatment

A dissecção coronária espontânea é uma entidade rara e, por conseguinte, de etiologia, fisiopatologia e tratamento ainda não estabelecidos. Acomete, em geral, mulheres jovens, sem os clássicos fatores de risco cardiovascular, comumente ao longo do ciclo gravídico-puerperal. Vários fatores influenciam na estratégia de tratamento, como quadro clínico, status hemodinâmico, topografia da dissecção, número de artérias afetadas e fluxo coronário distal. Como no caso relatado, em pacientes estáveis, com dissecções bem delimitadas e, sobremodo, quando o fluxo coronário é reestabelecido, pode-se optar por uma abordagem conservadora, em razão da alta incidência de resolução espontânea e da baixa incidência de eventos adversos a longo prazo

Spontaneous coronary dissection is a rare entity and, therefore, its etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment are not yet established. It affects mainly young women without the classic cardiovascular risk factors, commonly during the pregnancy-childbirth cycle. Several factors influence the treatment strategy, such as clinical presentation, hemodynamic status, topography, number of affected arteries, and distal coronary flow. As in the reported case, in stable patients with well-defined dissections and mainly when the coronary flow has been re-established, one can choose a conservative approach, due to the high incidence of spontaneous resolution and low incidence of long-term adverse events

Acurácia e precisão da angiografia coronária quantitativa online com calibração automática: um estudo piloto / Accuracy and precision of online quantitative coronary angiography with automatic calibration: a pilot study

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o grau de acurácia, precisão, correlação e concordância entre as medidas realizadas por um software de angiografia coronária quantitativa (QCA) online de calibração automática. Métodos: Estudo piloto que analisou imagens angiográficas de dez pacientes com um software de QCA online nas calibrações automáticas Auto ISO (calibração automática do isocentro) e Auto TOD (Table-to Object Distance). Foi realizada a medida do calibre do cateter pelos dois métodos, e o diâmetro de referência foi computado. Essas medidas foram comparadas com a medida do diâmetro do cateter quanto à acurácia, precisão e concordância. Resultados: O diâmetro médio real dos cateteres era de 1,75 ± 0,32 mm (variando entre 1,33 e 2,67 mm). A aferição dos cateteres pela QCA TOD e pela QCA ISO resultou em diâmetros médios de 1,78 ± 0,37 mm e 1,88 ± 0,38 mm, respectivamente. A acurácia/precisão da QCA TOD e da QCA ISO foi 0,03 m/0,21 mm e 0,12 mm/0,20 mm, respectivamente. As medidas da QCA TOD e da QCA ISO estiveram entre os limites de concordância em 96,3 e 94,7% dos casos, respectivamente. As medidas da QCA TOD e da QCA ISO correlacionaram-se significativamente (rs = 0,93; p < 0,01). No entanto, apesar da pequena diferença entre os métodos (0,10 ± 0,10 mm), as medidas da QCA ISO foram estatisticamente maiores que aquelas obtidas com a QCA TOD (p < 0,01). Conclusões: A QCA online com calibração automática apresentou boa acurácia, precisão e correlação,podendo representar uma ferramenta promissora no laboratório de hemodinâmica...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of accuracy, precision, correlation, andagreement between the measurements performed by online Quantitative Coronary Angiography (QCA)software with automatic calibration.Methods: Pilot study that analyzed angiographic images of ten patients through online QCA softwareusing Auto ISO (automatic calibration isocenter) and Auto TOD (Table-to-Object Distance) automatic calibration. Catheter size was measured by both methods and the reference diameter was computed. These measurements were compared with the measurement of catheter diameter regarding accuracy, precision,and agreement. Results: The actual average of the catheter diameter was 1.75 ± 0.32 mm (range 1.33 to 2.67 mm). The measurement of catheters by TOD QCA and ISO QCA resulted in mean diameters of 1.78 ± 0.37 mm and 1.88± 0.38 mm, respectively. The accuracy/precision of the TOD QCA and the ISO QCA was 0.03 mm/0.21 mmand 0.12 mm/0.20 mm, respectively. The TOD QCA and ISO QCA measures were among the limits ofagreement in 96.3 and 94.7% of cases, respectively, and were significantly correlated (rs = 0.93, p < 0.01). However, despite the small difference between the methods (0.10 ± 0.10 mm), the ISO QCA measures were significantly higher than those obtained by the TOD QCA (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Online QCA with automatic calibration has good accuracy, precision, and correlation, which may represent a promising tool in the catheterization laboratory...