The role of urine sodium in acutely decompensated heart failure.

Background: Diuretic resistance is common and results in poor outcome. Spot urine sodium (UrNa) is suggested as a tool to tailor diuretics and improve efficacy of therapy. We prospectively evaluate the prevalence of diuretic resistance, predictors of low spot-UrNa and the prognostic value of spot-UrNa in an unselected ADHF population. Methods: Patients admitted for ADHF and treated with iv diuretics were included. Spot-UrNa was collected 2 h after administration of an IV diuretic bolus. The main endpoint was a composite of HF re-hospitalizations and all-cause mortality at 90 days follow-up. Results: 143 patients were included in this study (median age 81 [75 - 85] years, 55 % male), of which 50 % were newly diagnosed with HF. Low spot-UrNa was independently associated with worse renal function, low serum sodium, and systolic blood pressure, previous loop diuretic and SGLT2i use and loop diuretic administered dose. Both absolute spot-UrNa (HR 0.87, 95 % CI 0.79 - 0.95, P=0.003 per 10 mmol/L increase) and a urinary sodium ≥ 100 mmol/l (HR=0.51, 95 % CI 0.27 - 0.97, P=0.04) significantly predicted the composite endpoint. This association was no longer significant after correction for confounders. Patients with low spot-UrNa attained longer IV diuretic treatment and a higher cumulative IV diuretic dose. Conclusions: Spot-UrNa is prevalent and occurs more often in patients with more progressed cardio-renal disease. Spot-UrNa significantly predicts 90-day HF hospital-free survival in ADHF. Further studies are needed evaluating the effect of UrNa guided diuretic treatment on clinical endpoints.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Subphenotypes Based on Repeated Biomarker Measurements in Relation to Long-Term Mortality Risk.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify patients with subphenotypes of postacute coronary syndrome (ACS) using repeated measurements of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and growth differentiation factor 15 in the year after the index admission, and to investigate their association with long-term mortality risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: BIOMArCS (BIOMarker Study to Identify the Acute Risk of a Coronary Syndrome) was an observational study of patients with ACS, who underwent high-frequency blood sampling for 1 year. Biomarkers were measured in a median of 16 repeated samples per individual. Cluster analysis was performed to identify biomarker-based subphenotypes in 723 patients without a repeat ACS in the first year. Patients with a repeat ACS (N=36) were considered a separate cluster. Differences in all-cause death were evaluated using accelerated failure time models (median follow-up, 9.1 years; 141 deaths). Three biomarker-based clusters were identified: cluster 1 showed low and stable biomarker concentrations, cluster 2 had elevated concentrations that subsequently decreased, and cluster 3 showed persistently elevated concentrations. The temporal biomarker patterns of patients in cluster 3 were similar to those with a repeat ACS during the first year. Clusters 1 and 2 had a similar and favorable long-term mortality risk. Cluster 3 had the highest mortality risk. The adjusted survival time ratio was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.44-0.93; P=0.018) compared with cluster 1, and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.39-1.32; P=0.281) compared with patients with a repeat ACS. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with subphenotypes of post-ACS with different all-cause mortality risks during long-term follow-up can be identified on the basis of repeatedly measured cardiovascular biomarkers. Patients with persistently elevated biomarkers have the worst outcomes, regardless of whether they experienced a repeat ACS in the first year.

Cardioversion strategy impacts rate control during recurrences in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: A subanalysis of the RACE 7 ACWAS trial.

BACKGROUND: In the Rate Control versus Electrical Cardioversion Trial 7-Acute Cardioversion versus Wait and See, patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) were randomized to either early or delayed cardioversion. AIM: This prespecified sub-analysis aimed to evaluate heart rate during AF recurrences after an emergency department (ED) visit identified by an electrocardiogram (ECG)-based handheld device. METHODS: After the ED visit, included patients (n = 437) were asked to use an ECG-based handheld device to monitor for recurrences during the 4-week follow-up period. 335 patients used the handheld device and were included in this analysis. Recordings from the device were collected and assessed for heart rhythm and rate. Optimal rate control was defined as a target resting heart rate of <110 beats per minute (bpm). RESULTS: In 99 patients (29.6%, mean age 67 ± 10 years, 39.4% female, median 6 [3-12] AF recordings) a total of 314 AF recurrences (median 2 [1-3] per patient) were identified during follow-up. The average median resting heart rate at recurrence was 100 ± 21 bpm in the delayed vs 112 ± 25 bpm in the early cardioversion group (p = .011). Optimal rate control was seen in 68.4% [21.3%-100%] and 33.3% [0%-77.5%] of recordings (p = .01), respectively. Randomization group [coefficient -12.09 (-20.55 to -3.63, p = .006) for delayed vs. early cardioversion] and heart rate on index ECG [coefficient 0.46 (0.29-0.63, p < .001) per bpm increase] were identified on multivariable analysis as factors associated with lower median heart rate during AF recurrences. CONCLUSION: A delayed cardioversion strategy translated into a favorable heart rate profile during AF recurrences.

Serially measured high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and growth differentiation factor 15 for risk assessment after acute coronary syndrome: the BIOMArCS cohort.

AIMS: Evidence regarding the role of serial measurements of biomarkers for risk assessment in post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients is limited. The aim was to explore the prognostic value of four, serially measured biomarkers in a large, real-world cohort of post-ACS patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: BIOMArCS is a prospective, multi-centre, observational study in 844 post-ACS patients in whom 12 218 blood samples (median 17 per patient) were obtained during 1-year follow-up. The longitudinal patterns of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) were analysed in relation to the primary endpoint (PE) of cardiovascular mortality and recurrent ACS using multivariable joint models. Median age was 63 years, 78% were men and the PE was reached by 45 patients. The average biomarker levels were systematically higher in PE compared with PE-free patients. After adjustment for 6-month post-discharge Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score, 1 standard deviation increase in log[hs-cTnT] was associated with a 61% increased risk of the PE [hazard ratio (HR) 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.44, P = 0.045], while for log[GDF-15] this was 81% (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.28-2.70, P = 0.001). These associations remained significant after multivariable adjustment, while NT-proBNP and hs-CRP were not. Furthermore, GDF-15 level showed an increasing trend prior to the PE (Structured Graphical Abstract). CONCLUSION: Longitudinally measured hs-cTnT and GDF-15 concentrations provide prognostic value in the risk assessment of clinically stabilized patients post-ACS. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Netherlands Trial Register. Currently available at URL https://trialsearch.who.int/; Unique Identifiers: NTR1698 and NTR1106.

Mobile health adherence for the detection of recurrent recent-onset atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The Rate Control versus Electrical Cardioversion Trial 7-Acute Cardioversion versus Wait and See trial compared early to delayed cardioversion for patients with recent-onset symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aims to evaluate the adherence to a 4-week mobile health (mHealth) prescription to detect AF recurrences after an emergency department visit. METHODS: After the emergency department visit, the 437 included patients, irrespective of randomisation arm (early or delayed cardioversion), were asked to record heart rate and rhythm for 1 min three times daily and in case of symptoms by an electrocardiography-based handheld device for 4 weeks (if available). Adherence was appraised as number of performed measurements per number of recordings asked from the patient and was evaluated for longitudinal adherence consistency. All patients who used the handheld device were included in this subanalysis. RESULTS: 335 patients (58% males; median age 67 (IQR 11) years) were included. The median overall adherence of all patients was 83.3% (IQR 29.9%). The median number of monitoring days was 27 out of 27 (IQR 5), whereas the median number of full monitoring days was 16 out of 27 (IQR 14). Higher age and a previous paroxysm of AF were identified as multivariable adjusted factors associated with adherence. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomised trial, a 4-week mHealth prescription to monitor for AF recurrences after an emergency department visit for recent-onset AF was feasible with 85.7% of patients consistently using the device with at least one measurement per day. Older patients were more adherent. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02248753.

Relation of Iron Status to Prognosis After Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Iron deficiency has been extensively researched and is associated with adverse outcomes in heart failure. However, to our knowledge, the temporal evolution of iron status has not been previously investigated in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Therefore, we aimed to explore the temporal pattern of repeatedly measured iron, ferritin, transferrin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) in relation to prognosis post-ACS. BIOMArCS (BIOMarker study to identify the Acute risk of a Coronary Syndrome) is a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study conducted in The Netherlands between 2008 and 2015. A total of 844 patients with post-ACS were enrolled and underwent high-frequency (median 17) blood sampling during 1 year follow-up. Biomarkers of iron status were measured batchwise in a central laboratory. We analyzed 3 patient subsets, including the case-cohort (n = 187). The primary endpoint (PE) was a composite of cardiovascular mortality and repeat nonfatal ACS, including unstable angina pectoris requiring revascularization. The association between iron status and the PE was analyzed using multivariable joint models. Mean age was 63 years; 78% were men, and >50% had iron deficiency at first sample in the case-cohort. After adjustment for a broad range of clinical variables, 1 SD decrease in log-iron was associated with a 2.2-fold greater risk of the PE (hazard ratio 2.19, 95% confidence interval 1.34 to 3.54, p = 0.002). Similarly, 1 SD decrease in log-TSAT was associated with a 78% increased risk of the PE (hazard ratio 1.78, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 2.65, p = 0.006). Ferritin and transferrin were not associated with the PE. Repeated measurements of iron and TSAT predict risk of adverse outcomes in patients with post-ACS during 1 year follow-up. Trial Registration: The Netherlands Trial Register. Unique identifiers: NTR1698 and NTR1106. Registered at https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/1614 and https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/1073.

Case report: ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest provoked by forward bending in adolescent with severe pectus excavatum.

BACKGROUND: Life-threatening arrhythmias have been reported in patients with severe pectus excavatum in absence of other cardiac abnormalities. Literature is scarce regarding diagnosis, cause and management of this problem, particularly regarding the question as to whether the placement of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is necessary. CASE SUMMARY: A 19-year-old male patient with severe pectus excavatum was scheduled for elective surgical correction. During forward bending for epidural catheter placement, syncope and ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred resulting in cardiac arrest. After successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation, extensive analysis was performed and showed no cause for VF other than cardiac compression (particularly of the left atrium, right atrium, and ventricle to a lesser degree) due to severe pectus excavatum. Postponed correction by modified Ravitch was performed without ICD placement, with an uneventful post-operative recovery. Eighteen months after surgery, the patient remains well. Upon specific request, he did remember dizzy spells when tying shoelaces. He always considered this unremarkable. DISCUSSION: In severe pectus excavatum with cardiac compression, forward bending can decrease central venous return and cardiac output, causing hypotension, arrhythmia, and cardiac arrest. In absence of structural or electric abnormalities, cardiac compression by severe pectus excavatum was considered a reversible cause of VF and ICD placement unnecessary. Patients with cardiac compression due to severe pectus excavatum may report pre-existing postural symptoms upon specific request. When these postural symptoms are present, extreme and prolonged forward bending postures should be avoided.

Nuss Procedure for Pectus Excavatum: A Comparison of Complications Between Young and Adult Patients.

BACKGROUND: The Nuss procedure is the gold standard surgical treatment for pectus excavatum in young patients. Its use in adults has also been described, although it may be associated with increased postoperative morbidity resulting from higher chest wall rigidity. This study aimed to examine the risk of complications after the Nuss procedure in adult patients compared with young patients with pectus excavatum. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated all patients who underwent the Nuss procedure between 2006 and 2018. Patients were stratified by age as young (≤24 years old) and adult (>24 years old). The primary end point was the occurrence of perioperative or postoperative complications, subdivided into major (Clavien-Dindo class IIIa or higher) and minor (less severe than Clavien-Dindo class III). Between-group differences were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U and the χ2 test with post hoc analysis. RESULTS: A total of 327 participants were included, 272 in the young group (median age, 16 years; interquartile range [IQR], 15 to 18 years; range, 11 to 24 years) and 55 in the adult group (median age, 32 years; IQR, 27 to 38 years; range, 25 to 47 years). The median Haller index was similar between groups (young, 3.7; IQR, 3.2 to 4.4 vs adult,3.6; IQR, 3.0 to 4.3; P = .44). The median follow-up was 34 and 36 months, respectively. The incidence of major complications was comparable between young and adult participants (P = .43). Minor complications occurred more often among adults (young, 4% vs adult, 11%; P = .002). Chronic postoperative pain was the only minor complication with a significant difference in incidence (young, 1% vs adult, 7%; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: The Nuss procedure is a safe surgical treatment for pectus excavatum in both young and adult patients. The risk of major complications is comparable. However, adults more often have chronic pain.

Temporal Evolution of Serum Concentrations of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin During 1 Year After Acute Coronary Syndrome Admission.

Background Detailed insights in temporal evolution of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are currently missing. We aimed to describe and compare the post-ACS kinetics of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), and to determine their intra- and interindividual variation in clinically stable patients. Methods and Results We determined hs-cTnI (Abbott) and hs-cTnT (Roche) in 1507 repeated blood samples, derived from 191 patients with ACS (median, 8/patient) who remained free from adverse cardiac events during 1-year follow-up. Post-ACS kinetics were studied by linear mixed-effect models. Using the samples collected in the 6- to 12-month post-ACS time frame, patients were then considered to have chronic coronary syndrome. We determined (differences between) the average hs-cTnI and average hs-cTnT concentration, and the intra- and interindividual variation for both biomarkers. Compared with hs-cTnT, hs-cTnI peaked higher (median 3506 ng/L versus 494 ng/L; P<0.001) and was quicker below the biomarker-specific upper reference limit (16 versus 19 days; P<0.001). In the post-6-month samples, hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT showed modest correlation (rspearman=0.60), whereas the average hs-cTnT concentration was 5 times more likely to be above the upper reference limit than hs-cTnI. The intraindividual variations of hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT were 14.0% and 18.1%, while the interindividual variations were 94.1% and 75.9%. Conclusions Hs-cTnI peaked higher after ACS and was quicker below the upper reference limit. In the post-6-month samples, hs-cTnI and hs-cTnT were clearly not interchangeable, and average hs-cTnT concentrations were much more often above the upper reference limit than hs-cTnI. For both markers, the within-patient variation fell largely below beween-patient variation. Registration URL: https://www.trialregister.nl; unique identifiers: NTR1698 and NTR1106.

Colchicine in Patients with Chronic Coronary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Evidence from a recent trial has shown that the antiinflammatory effects of colchicine reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with recent myocardial infarction, but evidence of such a risk reduction in patients with chronic coronary disease is limited. METHODS: In a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, we assigned patients with chronic coronary disease to receive 0.5 mg of colchicine once daily or matching placebo. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, spontaneous (nonprocedural) myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or ischemia-driven coronary revascularization. The key secondary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, spontaneous myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. RESULTS: A total of 5522 patients underwent randomization; 2762 were assigned to the colchicine group and 2760 to the placebo group. The median duration of follow-up was 28.6 months. A primary end-point event occurred in 187 patients (6.8%) in the colchicine group and in 264 patients (9.6%) in the placebo group (incidence, 2.5 vs. 3.6 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57 to 0.83; P<0.001). A key secondary end-point event occurred in 115 patients (4.2%) in the colchicine group and in 157 patients (5.7%) in the placebo group (incidence, 1.5 vs. 2.1 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.92; P = 0.007). The incidence rates of spontaneous myocardial infarction or ischemia-driven coronary revascularization (composite end point), cardiovascular death or spontaneous myocardial infarction (composite end point), ischemia-driven coronary revascularization, and spontaneous myocardial infarction were also significantly lower with colchicine than with placebo. The incidence of death from noncardiovascular causes was higher in the colchicine group than in the placebo group (incidence, 0.7 vs. 0.5 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.99 to 2.31). CONCLUSIONS: In a randomized trial involving patients with chronic coronary disease, the risk of cardiovascular events was significantly lower among those who received 0.5 mg of colchicine once daily than among those who received placebo. (Funded by the National Health Medical Research Council of Australia and others; LoDoCo2 Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number, ACTRN12614000093684.).

Design and rationale of DUTCH-AF: a prospective nationwide registry programme and observational study on long-term oral antithrombotic treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Anticoagulation therapy is pivotal in the management of stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Prospective registries, containing longitudinal data are lacking with detailed information on anticoagulant therapy, treatment adherence and AF-related adverse events in practice-based patient cohorts, in particular for non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC). With the creation of DUTCH-AF, a nationwide longitudinal AF registry, we aim to provide clinical data and answer questions on the (anticoagulant) management over time and of the clinical course of patients with newly diagnosed AF in routine clinical care. Within DUTCH-AF, our current aim is to assess the effect of non-adherence and non-persistence of anticoagulation therapy on clinical adverse events (eg, bleeding and stroke), to determine predictors for such inadequate anticoagulant treatment, and to validate and refine bleeding prediction models. With DUTCH-AF, we provide the basis for a continuing nationwide AF registry, which will facilitate subsequent research, including future registry-based clinical trials. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The DUTCH-AF registry is a nationwide, prospective registry of patients with newly diagnosed 'non-valvular' AF. Patients will be enrolled from primary, secondary and tertiary care practices across the Netherlands. A target of 6000 patients for this initial cohort will be followed for at least 2 years. Data on thromboembolic and bleeding events, changes in antithrombotic therapy and hospital admissions will be registered. Pharmacy-dispensing data will be obtained to calculate parameters of adherence and persistence to anticoagulant treatment, which will be linked to AF-related outcomes such as ischaemic stroke and major bleeding. In a subset of patients, anticoagulation adherence and beliefs about drugs will be assessed by questionnaire. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol was approved as exempt for formal review according to Dutch law by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands. Results will be disseminated by publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific congresses. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Trial NL7467, NTR7706 (https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/7464).

Stabilization patterns and variability of hs-CRP, NT-proBNP and ST2 during 1 year after acute coronary syndrome admission: results of the BIOMArCS study.

Objectives Details of the biological variability of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and ST2 are currently lacking in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) but are crucial knowledge when aiming to use these biomarkers for personalized risk prediction. In the current study, we report post-ACS kinetics and the variability of the hs-CRP, NT-proBNP and ST2. Methods BIOMArCS is a prospective, observational study with high frequency blood sampling during 1 year post-ACS. Using 1507 blood samples from 191 patients that remained free from adverse cardiac events, we investigated post-ACS kinetics of hs-CRP, NT-proBNP and ST2. Biological variability was studied using the samples collected between 6 and 12 months after the index ACS, when patients were considered to have stable coronary artery disease. Results On average, hs-CRP rose peaked at day 2 and rose well above the reference value. ST2 peaked immediately after the ACS but never rose above the reference value. NT-proBNP level rose on average during the first 2 days post-ACS and slowly declined afterwards. The within-subject variation and relative change value (RCV) of ST2 were relatively small (13.8%, RCV 39.7%), while hs-CRP (41.9%, lognormal RCV 206.1/-67.3%) and NT-proBNP (39.0%, lognormal RCV 185.2/-64.9%) showed a considerable variation. Conclusions Variability of hs-CRP and NT-proBNP within asymptomatic and clinically stable post-ACS patients is considerable. In contrast, within-patient variability of ST2 is low. Given the low within-subject variation, ST2 might be the most useful biomarker for personalizing risk prediction in stable post-ACS patients.

High-frequency metabolite profiling and the incidence of recurrent cardiac events in patients with post-acute coronary syndrome.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to study temporal changes in metabolite profiles in patients with post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS), in particular prior to the development of recurrent ACS (reACS).Methods: BIOMArCS (BIOMarker study to identify the Acute risk of a Coronary Syndrome) is a prospective study including patients admitted for ACS, who underwent high-frequency blood sampling during 1-year follow-up. Within BIOMArCS, we performed a nested case-cohort analysis of 158 patients (28 cases of reACS). We determined 151 metabolites by nuclear magnetic resonance in seven (median) blood samples per patient. Temporal evolution of the metabolites and their relation with reACS was assessed by joint modelling. Results are reported as adjusted (for clinical factors) hazard ratios (aHRs).Results: Median age was 64 (25th-75th percentiles; 56-72) years and 78% were men. After multiple testing correction (p < 0.001), high concentrations of extremely large very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles (aHR 1.60/SD increase; 95%CI 1.25-2.08), very large VLDL particles (aHR 1.60/SD increase; 95%CI 1.25-2.08) and large VLDL particles (aHR 1.56/SD increase; 95%CI 1.22-2.05) were significantly associated with reACS. Moreover, these longitudinal particle concentrations showed a steady increase over time prior to reACS. Among the other metabolites, no significant associations were observed.Conclusion: Post-ACS patients with persistent high concentrations of extremely large, very large and large VLDL particles have increased risk of reACS within 1 year.

Details on high frequency blood collection, data analysis, available material and patient characteristics in BIOMArCS.

The Biomarker Study to Identify the Acute Risk of a Coronary Syndrome (BIOMArCS) is a prospective, observational study that has been designed to study the evolution of blood biomarkers in post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. In our recently published study "Temporal evolution of Myeloperoxidase and Galectin 3 during 1 year after acute coronary syndrome admission" [1] in the American Heart Journal, we demonstrated that repeatedly measuring MPO and Galectin-3 does not aid to differentiate between patients with and without adverse cardiac events during 1-year follow-up. In this Data-In-Brief article, we present further details on data collections and data analysis. In addition, a detailed description of baseline characteristics and the distribution of blood sampling moments is provided. The BIOMArCS dataset contains clinical information and follow-up data on all enrolled 844 patients. These patients underwent a median of 17 (25th -75th percentile 12-20) repeated blood samples in the first year after the index ACS. Blood samples were stored at -80 °C within a median of 82 (25th-75th percentile 58-117) minutes after withdrawal. We collected whole blood, citrate plasma, EDTA plasma, serum and DNA. The dataset used for the analysis in the accompanying research paper has been made available online. We welcome collaborations for further use of our data, whether or not in combination with other biobanks.

Temporal evolution of myeloperoxidase and galectin 3 during 1 year after acute coronary syndrome admission.

Prior studies reported that Myeloperoxidase and Galectin-3, which are biomarkers of coronary plaque vulnerability, are elevated in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. We studied the temporal evolution of these biomarkers early after ACS admission and prior to a recurrent ACS event during 1 year follow-up.

Early or Delayed Cardioversion in Recent-Onset Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation commonly undergo immediate restoration of sinus rhythm by pharmacologic or electrical cardioversion. However, whether immediate restoration of sinus rhythm is necessary is not known, since atrial fibrillation often terminates spontaneously. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized, open-label, noninferiority trial, we randomly assigned patients with hemodynamically stable, recent-onset (<36 hours), symptomatic atrial fibrillation in the emergency department to be treated with a wait-and-see approach (delayed-cardioversion group) or early cardioversion. The wait-and-see approach involved initial treatment with rate-control medication only and delayed cardioversion if the atrial fibrillation did not resolve within 48 hours. The primary end point was the presence of sinus rhythm at 4 weeks. Noninferiority would be shown if the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for the between-group difference in the primary end point in percentage points was more than -10. RESULTS: The presence of sinus rhythm at 4 weeks occurred in 193 of 212 patients (91%) in the delayed-cardioversion group and in 202 of 215 (94%) in the early-cardioversion group (between-group difference, -2.9 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -8.2 to 2.2; P = 0.005 for noninferiority). In the delayed-cardioversion group, conversion to sinus rhythm within 48 hours occurred spontaneously in 150 of 218 patients (69%) and after delayed cardioversion in 61 patients (28%). In the early-cardioversion group, conversion to sinus rhythm occurred spontaneously before the initiation of cardioversion in 36 of 219 patients (16%) and after cardioversion in 171 patients (78%). Among the patients who completed remote monitoring during 4 weeks of follow-up, a recurrence of atrial fibrillation occurred in 49 of 164 patients (30%) in the delayed-cardioversion group and in 50 of 171 (29%) in the early-cardioversion group. Within 4 weeks after randomization, cardiovascular complications occurred in 10 patients and 8 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting to the emergency department with recent-onset, symptomatic atrial fibrillation, a wait-and-see approach was noninferior to early cardioversion in achieving a return to sinus rhythm at 4 weeks. (Funded by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development and others; RACE 7 ACWAS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02248753.).

[Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): indications for additional investigations and treatment]. / Myocardinfarct zonder obstructief coronairlijden (MINOCA): indicaties tot aanvullende diagnostiek en behandeling.

Myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) has multiple potential underlying causes which can be subdivided into coronary, myocardial and non-cardiac disorders. On the basis of three case descriptions, we show that additional investigations are crucial in determining the underlying mechanism and starting suitable treatment. Depending on clinical presentation, risk factors and medical history, an LV angiogram, a provocation test with intracoronary acetylcholine and a cardiac MRI can contribute to finding the correct diagnosis. We further present a diagnostic algorithm to guide the clinician in the management of patients presenting with MINOCA.

Acute cardioversion vs a wait-and-see approach for recent-onset symptomatic atrial fibrillation in the emergency department: Rationale and design of the randomized ACWAS trial.

BACKGROUND: Current standard of care for patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in the emergency department aims at urgent restoration of sinus rhythm, although paroxysmal AF is a condition that resolves spontaneously within 24 hours in more than 70% of the cases. A wait-and-see approach with rate-control medication only and when needed cardioversion within 48 hours of onset of symptoms is hypothesized to be noninferior, safe, and cost-effective as compared with current standard of care and to lead to a higher quality of life. DESIGN: The ACWAS trial (NCT02248753) is an investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled, 2-arm noninferiority trial that compares a wait-and-see approach to the standard of care. Consenting adults with recent-onset symptomatic AF in the emergency department without urgent need for cardioversion are eligible for participation. A total of 437 patients will be randomized to either standard care (pharmacologic or electrical cardioversion) or the wait-and-see approach, consisting of symptom reduction through rate control medication until spontaneous conversion is achieved, with the possibility of cardioversion within 48 hours after onset of symptoms. Primary end point is the presence of sinus rhythm on 12-lead electrocardiogram at 4 weeks; main secondary outcomes are adverse events, total medical and societal costs, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness for 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The ACWAS trial aims at providing evidence for the use of a wait-and-see approach for patients with recent-onset symptomatic AF in the emergency department.

Cohort profile of BIOMArCS: the BIOMarker study to identify the Acute risk of a Coronary Syndrome-a prospective multicentre biomarker study conducted in the Netherlands.

PURPOSE: Progression of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) towards acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a dynamic and heterogeneous process with many intertwined constituents, in which a plaque destabilising sequence could lead to ACS within short time frames. Current CAD risk assessment models, however, are not designed to identify increased vulnerability for the occurrence of coronary events within a precise, short time frame at the individual patient level. The BIOMarker study to identify the Acute risk of a Coronary Syndrome (BIOMArCS) was designed to evaluate whether repeated measurements of multiple biomarkers can predict such 'vulnerable periods'. PARTICIPANTS: BIOMArCS is a multicentre, prospective, observational study of 844 patients presenting with ACS, either with or without ST-elevation and at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We hypothesised that patterns of circulating biomarkers that reflect the various pathophysiological components of CAD, such as distorted lipid metabolism, vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, increased thrombogenicity and ischaemia, diverge in the days to weeks before a coronary event. Divergent biomarker patterns, identified by serial biomarker measurements during 1-year follow-up might then indicate 'vulnerable periods' during which patients with CAD are at high short-term risk of developing an ACS. Venepuncture was performed every fortnight during the first half-year and monthly thereafter. As prespecified, patient enrolment was terminated after the primary end point of cardiovascular death or hospital admission for non-fatal ACS had occurred in 50 patients. A case-cohort design will explore differences in temporal patterns of circulating biomarkers prior to the repeat ACS. FUTURE PLANS AND DISSEMINATION: Follow-up and event adjudication have been completed. Prespecified biomarker analyses are currently being performed and dissemination through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations is expected from the third quarter of 2016. Should identification of a 'vulnerable period' prove to be feasible, then future research could focus on event reduction through pharmacological or mechanical intervention during such periods of high risk for ACS. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR1698 and NTR1106.