Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest without ST-Segment Elevation.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The role of immediate coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the treatment of patients who have been successfully resuscitated after cardiac arrest in the absence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains uncertain. METHODS: In this multicenter trial, we randomly assigned 552 patients who had cardiac arrest without signs of STEMI to undergo immediate coronary angiography or coronary angiography that was delayed until after neurologic recovery. All patients underwent PCI if indicated. The primary end point was survival at 90 days. Secondary end points included survival at 90 days with good cerebral performance or mild or moderate disability, myocardial injury, duration of catecholamine support, markers of shock, recurrence of ventricular tachycardia, duration of mechanical ventilation, major bleeding, occurrence of acute kidney injury, need for renal-replacement therapy, time to target temperature, and neurologic status at discharge from the intensive care unit. RESULTS: At 90 days, 176 of 273 patients (64.5%) in the immediate angiography group and 178 of 265 patients (67.2%) in the delayed angiography group were alive (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62 to 1.27; P = 0.51). The median time to target temperature was 5.4 hours in the immediate angiography group and 4.7 hours in the delayed angiography group (ratio of geometric means, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.36). No significant differences between the groups were found in the remaining secondary end points. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients who had been successfully resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and had no signs of STEMI, a strategy of immediate angiography was not found to be better than a strategy of delayed angiography with respect to overall survival at 90 days. (Funded by the Netherlands Heart Institute and others; COACT Netherlands Trial Register number, NTR4973.).

Targeted Temperature Management in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest With Shockable Rhythm: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Coronary Angiography After Cardiac Arrest Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal targeted temperature in patients with shockable rhythm is unclear, and current guidelines recommend targeted temperature management with a correspondingly wide range between 32°C and 36°C. Our aim was to study survival and neurologic outcome associated with targeted temperature management strategy in postarrest patients with initial shockable rhythm. DESIGN: Observational substudy of the Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest without ST-segment Elevation trial. SETTING: Nineteen hospitals in The Netherlands. PATIENTS: The Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest trial randomized successfully resuscitated patients with shockable rhythm and absence of ST-segment elevation to a strategy of immediate or delayed coronary angiography. In this substudy, 459 patients treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia (32.0-34.0°C) or targeted normothermia (36.0-37.0°C) were included. Allocation to targeted temperature management strategy was at the discretion of the physician. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After 90 days, 171 patients (63.6%) in the mild therapeutic hypothermia group and 129 (67.9%) in the targeted normothermia group were alive (hazard ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.62-1.18]; log-rank p = 0.35; adjusted odds ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.45-1.72). Patients in the mild therapeutic hypothermia group had longer ICU stay (4 d [3-7 d] vs 3 d [2-5 d]; ratio of geometric means, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.15-1.51), lower blood pressures, higher lactate levels, and increased need for inotropic support. Cerebral Performance Category scores at ICU discharge and 90-day follow-up and patient-reported Mental and Physical Health Scores at 1 year were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with shockable rhythm and no ST-elevation, treatment with mild therapeutic hypothermia was not associated with improved 90-day survival compared with targeted normothermia. Neurologic outcomes at 90 days as well as patient-reported Mental and Physical Health Scores at 1 year did not differ between the groups.

Cardiac MRI to Visualize Myocardial Damage after ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Review of Its Histologic Validation.

Cardiac MRI is a noninvasive diagnostic tool using nonionizing radiation that is widely used in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Cardiac MRI depicts different prognosticating components of myocardial damage such as edema, intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH), microvascular obstruction (MVO), and fibrosis. But how do cardiac MRI findings correlate to histologic findings? Shortly after STEMI, T2-weighted imaging and T2* mapping cardiac MRI depict, respectively, edema and IMH. The acute infarct size can be determined with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac MRI. T2-weighted MRI should not be used for area-at-risk delineation because T2 values change dynamically over the first few days after STEMI and the severity of T2 abnormalities can be modulated with treatment. Furthermore, LGE cardiac MRI is the most accurate method to visualize MVO, which is characterized by hemorrhage, microvascular injury, and necrosis in histologic samples. In the chronic setting post-STEMI, LGE cardiac MRI is best used to detect replacement fibrosis (ie, final infarct size after injury healing). Finally, native T1 mapping has recently emerged as a contrast material-free method to measure infarct size that, however, remains inferior to LGE cardiac MRI. Especially LGE cardiac MRI-defined infarct size and the presence and extent of MVO may be used to monitor the effect of new therapeutic interventions in the treatment of reperfusion injury and infarct size reduction. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Downstream Influence of Coronary Stenoses on Microcirculatory Remodeling: A Histopathology Study.

OBJECTIVE: Inducible myocardial ischemia is influenced by contributions of both the epicardial artery and the coronary microcirculation. Experimental studies have found adverse microcirculatory remodeling to occur downstream of severe coronary stenoses. Coronary physiology studies in patients contradict the experimental findings, as the minimal microvascular resistance is not modified by stenoses. The objective was to determine whether microcirculatory remodeling occurs downstream of coronary stenoses in the human coronary circulation. Approach and Results: Myocardium corresponding to 115 coronary arteries of 55 deceased patients was investigated. Histopathologic staining of the microcirculation was performed using antibodies against SMA-α (smooth muscle actin-α) and CD31, to stain arterioles and capillaries, respectively. The following parameters were analyzed: ratio between lumen and vesel area, ratio between lumen and vessel diameter (both ratios for arterioles of <40, 40-100, and 100-200 µm diameter), arteriolar density, and capillary density. From the 55 patients, 32 pairs of an unobstructed coronary artery and a coronary artery with a stenosis were formed. No statistically significant differences between any of the microcirculatory parameters were found. A confirmatory unpaired analysis compared 3 groups: (1) coronary arteries in patients without coronary artery disease (n=53), (2) unobstructed coronary arteries in patients with a stenosis in one of the other coronary arteries (n=23), and (3) coronary stenoses (n=39). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The microcirculation distal to noncritical stenoses does not undergo structural remodeling in the human coronary circulation.

Evaluation of Microvascular Injury in Revascularized Patients With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated With Ticagrelor Versus Prasugrel.

BACKGROUND: Despite successful restoration of epicardial vessel patency with primary percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary microvascular injury occurs in a large proportion of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, adversely affecting clinical and functional outcome. Ticagrelor has been reported to increase plasma adenosine levels, which might have a protective effect on the microcirculation. We investigated whether ticagrelor maintenance therapy after revascularized ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction is associated with less coronary microvascular injury compared to prasugrel maintenance therapy. METHODS: A total of 110 patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction received a loading dose of ticagrelor and were randomized to maintenance therapy of ticagrelor (n=56) or prasugrel (n=54) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary outcome was coronary microvascular injury at 1 month, as determined with the index of microcirculatory resistance in the infarct-related artery. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging was performed during the acute phase and at 1 month. RESULTS: The primary outcome of index of microcirculatory resistance was not superior in ticagrelor- or prasugrel-treated patients (ticagrelor, 21 [interquartile range, 15-39] U; prasugrel, 18 [interquartile range, 11-29] U; P=0.08). Recovery of microcirculatory resistance over time was not better in patients with ticagrelor versus prasugrel (ticagrelor, -13.9 U; prasugrel, -13.5 U; P=0.96). Intramyocardial hemorrhage was observed less frequently in patients receiving ticagrelor (23% versus 43%; P=0.04). At 1 month, no difference in infarct size was observed (ticagrelor, 7.6 [interquartile range, 3.7-14.4] g, prasugrel 9.9 [interquartile range, 5.7-16.6] g; P=0.17). The occurrence of microvascular obstruction was not different in patients on ticagrelor (28%) or prasugrel (41%; P=0.35). Plasma adenosine concentrations were not different during the index procedure and during maintenance therapy with ticagrelor or prasugrel. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, ticagrelor maintenance therapy was not superior to prasugrel in preventing coronary microvascular injury in the infarct-related territory as assessed by the index of microcirculatory resistance, and this resulted in a comparable infarct size at 1 month. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02422888.

Timing of revascularization in patients with transient ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a randomized clinical trial.

Aims: Patients with acute coronary syndrome who present initially with ST-elevation on the electrocardiogram but, subsequently, show complete normalization of the ST-segment and relief of symptoms before reperfusion therapy are referred to as transient ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and pose a therapeutic challenge. It is unclear what the optimal timing of revascularization is for these patients and whether they should be treated with a STEMI-like or a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)-like invasive approach. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of an immediate vs. a delayed invasive strategy on infarct size measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Methods and results: In a randomized clinical trial, 142 patients with transient STEMI with symptoms of any duration were randomized to an immediate (STEMI-like) [0.3 h; interquartile range (IQR) 0.2-0.7 h] or a delayed (NSTEMI-like) invasive strategy (22.7 h; IQR 18.2-27.3 h). Infarct size as percentage of the left ventricular myocardial mass measured by CMR at day four was generally small and not different between the immediate and the delayed invasive group (1.3%; IQR 0.0-3.5% vs. 1.5% IQR 0.0-4.1%, P = 0.48). By intention to treat, there was no difference in major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as death, reinfarction, or target vessel revascularization at 30 days (2.9% vs. 2.8%, P = 1.00). However, four additional patients (5.6%) in the delayed invasive strategy required urgent intervention due to signs and symptoms of reinfarction while awaiting angiography. Conclusion: Overall, infarct size in transient STEMI is small and is not influenced by an immediate or delayed invasive strategy. In addition, short-term MACE was low and not different between the treatment groups.

Quantitative flow ratio for immediate assessment of nonculprit lesions in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction-An iSTEMI substudy.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the diagnostic performance of quantitative flow ratio (QFR) assessment of nonculprit lesions (NCLs) based on acute setting angiograms obtained in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with QFR, fractional flow reserve (FFR), and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) in the staged setting as reference. BACKGROUND: QFR is an angiography-based approach for the functional evaluation of coronary artery lesions. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of the iSTEMI study. NCLs were assessed with iFR in the acute setting and with iFR and FFR at staged (median 13 days) follow-up. Acute and staged QFR values were computed in a core laboratory based on the coronary angiography recordings. Diagnostic cut-off values were ≤0.80 for QFR and FFR, and ≤0.89 for iFR. RESULTS: Staged iFR and FFR data were available for 146 NCLs in 112 patients in the iSTEMI study. Among these, QFR analysis was feasible in 103 (71%) lesions assessed in the acute setting with a mean QFR value of 0.82 (IQR: 0.73-0.91). Staged QFR, FFR, and iFR were 0.80 (IQR: 0.70-0.90), 0.81 (IQR: 0.71-0.88), and 0.91 (IQR: 0.87-0.96), respectively. Classification agreement of acute and staged QFR was 93% (95%Cl: 87-99). The classification agreement of acute QFR was 84% (95%CI: 76-90) using staged FFR as reference and 74% (95%CI: 65-83) using staged iFR as reference. CONCLUSIONS: Acute QFR showed a very good diagnostic performance with staged QFR as reference, a good diagnostic performance with staged FFR as reference, and a moderate diagnostic performance with staged iFR as reference.

Coronary angiography after cardiac arrest: Rationale and design of the COACT trial.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The role of immediate coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after restoration of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest in the absence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains debated. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesize that immediate CAG and PCI, if indicated, will improve 90-day survival in post-cardiac arrest patients without signs of STEMI. DESIGN: In a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial, 552 post-cardiac arrest patients with restoration of spontaneous circulation and without signs of STEMI will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to immediate CAG and PCI (within 2 hours) versus initial deferral with CAG and PCI after neurological recovery. The primary end point of the study is 90-day survival. The secondary end points will include 90-day survival with good cerebral performance or minor/moderate disability, myocardial injury, duration of inotropic support, occurrence of acute kidney injury, need for renal replacement therapy, time to targeted temperature control, neurological status at intensive care unit discharge, markers of shock, recurrence of ventricular tachycardia, duration of mechanical ventilation, and reasons for discontinuation of treatment. SUMMARY: The COACT trial is a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical study that will evaluate the effect of an immediate invasive coronary strategy in post-cardiac arrest patients without STEMI on 90-day survival.

Impact of symptom-to-reperfusion-time on transmural infarct extent and left ventricular strain in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a 3D view on the wavefront phenomenon.

AIMS: We examined the association between the symptom-to-reperfusion-time and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived global strain parameters and transmural infarct extent in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 108 STEMI patients who underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Patients were categorized according to the median symptom-to-reperfusion-time: shorter (<160 min, n = 54) and longer times (>160 min, n = 54). CMR was performed 2-7 days after PPCI and at 1 month. CMR cine imaging was performed for functional assessment and late gadolinium enhancement to evaluate transmural infarct extent. Myocardial feature-tracking was used for strain analysis. Groups were comparable in relation to incidence of LAD disease and pre- and post-PPCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grades. The mean transmural extent score at follow-up was lower in patients with shorter reperfusion time (P < 0.01). Both baseline and follow-up maximum transmural extent scores were smaller in patients with shorter reperfusion time (P = 0.03 for both). Patients with shorter reperfusion time had more favourable global left ventricular (LV) circumferential strain (baseline, P = 0.049; follow-up, P = 0.01) and radial strain (baseline, P = 0.047; follow-up, P < 0.01), whilst LV longitudinal strain appeared comparable for both baseline and follow-up (P > 0.05 for both). In multi-variable regression analysis including all three strain directions, baseline LV circumferential strain was independently associated with the mean transmural extent score at follow-up (ß=1.89, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In STEMI patients, time-to-reperfusion was significantly associated with smaller transmural extent of infarction and better LV circumferential and radial strain. Moreover, infarct transmurality and residual LV circumferential strain are closely linked.

Impact of core laboratory assessment on treatment decisions and clinical outcomes using combined fractional flow reserve and coronary flow reserve measurements - DEFINE-FLOW core laboratory sub-study.

OBJECTIVE: The role of combined FFR/CFR measurements in decision-making on coronary revascularization remains unclear. DEFINE-FLOW prospectively assessed the relationship of FFR/CFR agreement with 2-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and target vessel failure (TVF) rates, and uniquely included core-laboratory analysis of all pressure and flow tracings. We aimed to document the impact of core-laboratory analysis on lesion classification, and the relationship between core-laboratory fractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) values with clinical outcomes and angina burden during follow-up. METHODS: In 398 vessels (348 patients) considered for intervention, ≥1 coronary pressure/flow tracing was approved by the core-laboratory. Revascularization was performed only when both FFR(≤0.80) and CFR(<2.0) were abnormal, all others were treated medically. RESULTS: MACE was lowest for concordant normal FFR/CFR, but was not significantly different compared with either discordant group (low FFR/normal CFR: HR:1.63; 95%CI:0.61-4.40; P = 0.33; normal FFR/low CFR: HR:1.81; 95%CI:0.66-4.98; P = 0.25). Moreover, MACE did not differ between discordant groups treated medically and the concordant abnormal group undergoing revascularization (normal FFR/low CFR: HR:0.63; 95%CI:0.23-1.73;P = 0.37; normal FFR/low CFR: HR:0.70; 95%CI:0.22-2.21;P = 0.54). Similar findings applied to TVF. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with concordantly normal FFR/CFR have very low 2-year MACE and TVF rates. Throughout follow-up, there were no differences in event rates between patients in whom revascularization was deferred due to preserved CFR despite reduced FFR, and those in whom PCI was performed due to concordantly low FFR and CFR. These findings question the need for routine revascularization in vessels showing low FFR but preserved CFR. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://ClinicalTrials.govNCT02328820.

The Dynamic Relationship Between Invasive Microvascular Function and Microvascular Injury Indicators, and Their Association With Left Ventricular Function and Infarct Size at 1-Month After Reperfused ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: The invasive microvascular function indices, coronary flow reserve (CFR) and the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), exhibit a dynamic pattern after ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. The effects of microvascular injury on the evolution of the microvascular function and the prognostic significance of the evolution of microvascular function are unknown. We investigated the relationship between the temporal changes of CFR and IMR, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance-derived microvascular injury characteristics in reperfused ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients, and their association with 1-month left ventricular ejection fraction and infarct size (IS). METHODS: In 109 ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients who underwent angiography for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and at 1-month follow-up, invasive assessment of CFR and IMR were performed in the culprit artery during both procedures. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance was performed 2 to 7 days after PPCI and at 1 month and provided assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction, IS, microvascular obstruction, and intramyocardial hemorrhage. RESULTS: CFR and IMR significantly changed over 1 month (both, P<0.001). The absolute IMR change over 1 month (ΔIMR) showed association with both microvascular obstruction and intramyocardial hemorrhage presence (both, P=0.01). ΔIMR differed between patients with/without microvascular obstruction (P=0.02) and with/without intramyocardial hemorrhage (P=0.04) but not ΔCFR for both. ΔIMR demonstrated association with both left ventricular ejection fraction and IS at 1 month (P<0.001, P=0.001, respectively), but not ΔCFR for both. Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis of ΔIMR showed a larger area under the curve than post-PPCI CFR and IMR, and ΔCFR to be associated with both 1-month left ventricular ejection fraction >50% and extensive IS (the highest quartile). CONCLUSIONS: In reperfused ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients, CFR and IMR significantly improved 1 month after PPCI; the temporal change in IMR is closely related to the presence/absence of microvascular damage and IS. ΔIMR exhibits a stronger association for 1-month functional outcome than post-PPCI CFR, IMR, or ΔCFR.

Left ventricular function, strain, and infarct characteristics in patients with transient ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction compared to ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions.

AIMS: This study aims to explore cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived left ventricular (LV) function, strain, and infarct size characteristics in patients with transient ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (TSTEMI) compared to patients with ST-segment and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI and NSTEMI, respectively). METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 407 patients were enrolled in this multicentre observational prospective cohort study. All patients underwent CMR examination 2-8 days after the index event. CMR cine imaging was performed for functional assessment and late gadolinium enhancement to determine infarct size and identify microvascular obstruction (MVO). TSTEMI patients demonstrated the highest LV ejection fraction and the most preserved global LV strain (longitudinal, circumferential, and radial) across the three groups (overall P ≤ 0.001). The CMR-defined infarction was less frequently observed in TSTEMI than in STEMI patients [77 (65%) vs. 124 (98%), P < 0.001] but was comparable with NSTEMI patients [77 (65%) vs. 66 (70%), P = 0.44]. A remarkably smaller infarct size was seen in TSTEMI compared to STEMI patients [1.4 g (0.0-3.9) vs. 13.5 g (5.3-26.8), P < 0.001], whereas infarct size was not significantly different from that in NSTEMI patients [1.4 g (0.0-3.9) vs. 2.1 g (0.0-8.6), P = 0.06]. Whilst the presence of MVO was less frequent in TSTEMI compared to STEMI patients [5 (4%) vs. 53 (31%), P < 0.001], no significant difference was seen compared to NSTEMI patients [5 (4%) vs. 5 (5%), P = 0.72]. CONCLUSION: TSTEMI yielded favourable cardiac LV function, strain, and infarct-related scar mass compared to STEMI and NSTEMI. LV function and infarct characteristics of TSTEMI tend to be more similar to NSTEMI than STEMI.

Ischaemic electrocardiogram patterns and its association with survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a COACT trials' post-hoc subgroup analysis.

AIMS: ST-depression and T-wave inversion are frequently present on the post-resuscitation electrocardiogram (ECG). However, the prognostic value of ischaemic ECG patterns is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this post-hoc subgroup analysis of the Coronary Angiography after Cardiac arrest (COACT) trial, the first in-hospital post-resuscitation ECG in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with a shockable rhythm was analysed for ischaemic ECG patterns. Ischaemia was defined as ST-depression of ≥0.1 mV, T-wave inversion in ≥2 contiguous leads, or both. The primary endpoint was 90-day survival. Secondary endpoints were rate of acute unstable lesions, levels of serum troponin-T, and left ventricular function. Of the 510 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, 340 (66.7%) patients had ischaemic ECG patterns. Patients with ischaemic ECG patterns had a worse 90-day survival compared with those without [hazard ratio 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-2.12; P = 0.02]. A higher sum of ST-depression was associated with lower survival (log-rank = 0.01). The rate of acute unstable lesions (14.5 vs. 15.8%; odds ratio 0.90; 95% CI 0.51-1.59) did not differ between the groups. In patients with ischaemic ECG patterns, maximum levels of serum troponin-T (µg/L) were higher [0.595 (interquartile range 0.243-1.430) vs. 0.359 (0.159-0.845); ratio of geometric means 1.58; 1.13-2.20] and left ventricular function (%) was worse (44.7 ± 12.5 vs. 49.9 ± 13.3; mean difference -5.13; 95% CI -8.84 to -1.42). Adjusted for age and time to return of spontaneous circulation, ischaemic ECG patterns were no longer associated with survival. CONCLUSION: Post-arrest ischaemic ECG patterns were associated with worse 90-day survival. A higher sum of ST-depression was associated with lower survival. Adjusted for age and time to return of spontaneous circulation, ischaemic ECG patterns were no longer associated with survival.

Cost Analysis From a Randomized Comparison of Immediate Versus Delayed Angiography After Cardiac Arrest.

Background In patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without ST-segment elevation, immediate coronary angiography did not improve clinical outcomes when compared with delayed angiography in the COACT (Coronary Angiography After Cardiac Arrest) trial. Whether 1 of the 2 strategies has benefits in terms of health care resource use and costs is currently unknown. We assess the health care resource use and costs in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Methods and Results A total of 538 patients were randomly assigned to a strategy of either immediate or delayed coronary angiography. Detailed health care resource use and cost-prices were collected from the initial hospital episode. A generalized linear model and a gamma distribution were performed. Generic quality of life was measured with the RAND-36 and collected at 12-month follow-up. Overall total mean costs were similar between both groups (EUR 33 575±19 612 versus EUR 33 880±21 044; P=0.86). Generalized linear model: (ß, 0.991; 95% CI, 0.894-1.099; P=0.86). Mean procedural costs (coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft) were higher in the immediate angiography group (EUR 4384±3447 versus EUR 3028±4220; P<0.001). Costs concerning intensive care unit and ward stay did not show any significant difference. The RAND-36 questionnaire did not differ between both groups. Conclusions The mean total costs between patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest randomly assigned to an immediate angiography or a delayed invasive strategy were similar during the initial hospital stay. With respect to the higher invasive procedure costs in the immediate group, a strategy awaiting neurological recovery followed by coronary angiography and planned revascularization may be considered. Registration URL: https://trialregister.nl; Unique identifier: NL4857.

Transient ST-elevation myocardial infarction versus persistent ST-elevation myocardial infarction. An appraisal of patient characteristics and functional outcome.

BACKGROUND: Up to 24% of patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) show resolution of ST-elevation and symptoms before revascularization. The mechanisms of spontaneous reperfusion are unclear. Given the more favorable outcome of transient STEMI, it is important to obtain further insights in differential aspects. METHODS: We compared 251 patients who presented with transient STEMI (n = 141) or persistent STEMI (n = 110). Clinical angiographic and laboratory data were collected at admission and in subset of patients additional index hemostatic data and at steady-state follow-up. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was performed at 2-8 days to assess myocardial injury. RESULTS: Transient STEMI patients had more cardiovascular risk factors than STEMI patients, including more arterial disease and higher cholesterol values. Transient STEMI patients showed angiographically more often no intracoronary thrombus (41.1% vs. 2.7%, P < 0.001) and less often a high thrombus burden (9.2% vs. 40.0%, P < 0.001). CMR revealed microvascular obstruction less frequently (4.2% vs. 34.6%, P < 0.001) and smaller infarct size [1.4%; interquartile range (IQR), 0.0-3.7% vs. 8.8%; IQR, 3.9-17.1% of the left ventricle, P < 0.001] with a better preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (57.8 ± 6.7% vs. 52.5 ± 7.6%, P < 0.001). At steady state, fibrinolysis was higher in transient STEMI, as demonstrated with a reduced clot lysis time (89 ± 20% vs. 99 ± 25%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Transient STEMI is a syndrome with less angiographic thrombus burden and spontaneous infarct artery reperfusion, resulting in less myocardial injury than STEMI. The presence of a more effective fibrinolysis in transient STEMI patients may explain these differences and might provide clues for future treatment of STEMI.

The effect of immediate coronary angiography after cardiac arrest without ST-segment elevation on left ventricular function. A sub-study of the COACT randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of immediate coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients who are successfully resuscitated after cardiac arrest in the absence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on left ventricular function is currently unknown. METHODS: This prespecified sub-study of a multicentre trial evaluated 552 patients, successfully resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without signs of STEMI. Patients were randomized to either undergo immediate coronary angiography or delayed coronary angiography, after neurologic recovery. All patients underwent PCI if indicated. The main outcomes of this analysis were left ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic and systolic volumes assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or echocardiography. RESULTS: Data on left ventricular function was available for 397 patients. The mean (± standard deviation) left ventricular ejection fraction was 45.2% (±12.8) in the immediate angiography group and 48.4% (±13.2) in the delayed angiography group (mean difference: -3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], -6.75 to 0.37). Median left ventricular end-diastolic volume was 177 ml in the immediate angiography group compared to 169 ml in the delayed angiography group (ratio of geometric means: 1.06; 95% CI, 0.95-1.19). In addition, mean left ventricular end-systolic volume was 90 ml in the immediate angiography group compared to 78 ml in the delayed angiography group (ratio of geometric means: 1.13; 95% CI 0.97-1.32). CONCLUSION: In patients successfully resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and without signs of STEMI, immediate coronary angiography was not found to improve left ventricular dimensions or function compared with a delayed angiography strategy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register number, NTR4973.

Sex differences in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without ST-segment elevation: A COACT trial substudy.

BACKGROUND: Whether sex is associated with outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study examined sex differences in survival in patients with OHCA without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Using data from the randomized controlled Coronary Angiography after Cardiac Arrest (COACT) trial, the primary point of interest was sex differences in OHCA-related one-year survival. Secondary points of interest included the benefit of immediate coronary angiography compared to delayed angiography until after neurologic recovery, angiographic and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 522 patients (79.1% men) were included. Overall one-year survival was 59.6% in women and 63.4% in men (HR 1.18; 95% CI: 0.76-1.81;p = 0.47). No cardiovascular risk factors were found that modified survival. Women less often had significant coronary artery disease (CAD) (37.0% vs. 71.3%;p < 0.001), but when present, they had a worse prognosis than women without CAD (HR 3.06; 95% CI 1.31-7.19;p = 0.01). This was not the case for men (HR 1.05; 95% CI 0.67-1.65;p = 0.83). In both sexes, immediate coronary angiography did not improve one-year survival compared to delayed angiography (women, odds ratio (OR) 0.87; 95% CI 0.58-1.30;p = 0.49; vs. men, OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.45-2.09;p = 0.93). CONCLUSION: In OHCA patients without STEMI, we found no sex differences in overall one-year survival. Women less often had significant CAD, but when CAD was present they had worse survival than women without CAD. This was not the case for men. Both sexes did not benefit from a strategy of immediate coronary angiography as compared to delayed strategy with respect to one-year survival. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Netherlands trial register (NTR) 4973.

Evaluation and Management of Nonculprit Lesions in STEMI.

Nonculprit lesions are frequently observed in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Results from recent randomized clinical trials suggest that complete revascularization after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction improves outcomes. In this state-of-the-art paper, the authors review these trials and consider how best to determine which nonculprit lesions require revascularization and when this should be performed.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Evaluating Nonculprit Lesions After Myocardial Infarction: Comparison With Fractional Flow Reserve.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the agreement between cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and invasive measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In addition, we investigated whether fully quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion is superior to semiquantitative and visual analysis. BACKGROUND: The agreement between CMR and FFR in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions in patients with STEMI with multivessel disease is unknown. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with STEMI with at least 1 intermediate (diameter stenosis 50% to 90%) nonculprit lesion underwent CMR and invasive coronary angiography in conjunction with FFR measurements at 1 month after primary intervention. The imaging protocol included stress and rest perfusion, cine imaging, and late gadolinium enhancement. Fully quantitative, semiquantitative, and visual analysis of myocardial perfusion were compared against a reference of FFR. Hemodynamically obstructive was defined as FFR ≤0.80. RESULTS: Hemodynamically obstructive nonculprit lesions were present in 31 (40%) patients. Visual analysis displayed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62 to 0.83), with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 70%. For semiquantitative analysis, the relative upslope of the stress signal intensity time curve and the relative upslope derived myocardial flow reserve had respective AUCs of 0.66 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.77) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.59 to 0.81). Fully quantitative analysis did not augment diagnostic performance (all p > 0.05). Stress myocardial blood flow displayed an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64 to 0.85), with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 77%. Similarly, MFR displayed an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.90), with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 71%. CONCLUSIONS: CMR and FFR have moderate-good agreement in the evaluation of nonculprit lesions in patients with STEMI with multivessel disease. Fully quantitative, semiquantitative, and visual analysis yield similar diagnostic performance.