The Rise of Transradial Artery Access for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) via transradial artery access (TRA) or transfemoral artery access (TFA). BACKGROUND: Over the last decade, evidence for the benefit of TRA for PCI has grown, leading to a steady uptake of TRA around the world. Despite this, the topic remains controversial with contrary evidence to suggest no significant benefit over TFA. METHODS: A retrospective study of consecutive ACS patients from 2011 to 2017 who underwent PCI via TRA or TFA. The primary outcome was Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), a composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularisation (TLR), or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) bleeding events scored 2 or higher, haematoma formation, and stent thrombosis, in addition to all individual components of MACE. RESULTS: We treated 3624 patients (77% male), with PCI via TFA (n = 2391) or TRA (n = 1233). Transradial artery access was associated with a reduction in mortality (3% vs 6.3%; p < 0.0001), MI (1.8% vs 3.9%; p=0.0004), CABG (0.6% vs 1.5%; p=0.0205), TLR (1% vs 2.9%; p < 0.0001), large haematoma (0.4% vs 1.8%; p=0.0003), BARC 2 (0.2% vs 1.1%; p=0.0029), and BARC 3 events (0.4% vs 1.0%; p=0.0426). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, TFA, age ≥ 75, prior PCI, use of bare metal stents, cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, and multivessel coronary artery disease were associated with an increased risk of MACE. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations secondary to the observational nature of our study and multiple confounders, our results are in line with results of major trials and, as such, we feel that our results support the use of TRA as the preferred access site in patients undergoing PCI for ACS to improve patient outcomes.

Impact of Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease on One Year Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher risk of adverse events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is conflicting evidence regarding the benefit of drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with CKD. This study is aimed at assessing the effect of mild-to-moderate CKD on PCI outcomes, and determining if DES reduce adverse events amongst these patients. METHOD: We used our PCI database to determine demographic, procedural and outcome variables for 1960 consecutive patients (October 2009-October 2012). Kidney function was measured by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR - CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine based). Multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent variables associated with mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). RESULTS: The independent variables, predictive of 12-month mortality in PCI patients, were: age >64 years (hazard ratio [HR] 3.10 [95% CI 1.73-5.55], p < 0.001), 3-vessel disease (HR 1.72 [95% CI 1.10-2.68], p = 0.016) and CKD stage. Compared to stage 1 CKD (eGFR >89), HR of death increased in a progressive pattern below eGFR <75: eGFR 60-74, HR 2.40 (95% CI 1.2-4.78), p = 0.013, eGFR 45-59, HR 3.27 (95% CI 1.55-6.9), p = 0.002, eGFR 30-44, HR 4.10 (95% CI 1.82-9.24), p = 0.001, eGFR <30, HR 7.97 (95% CI 3.65-17.40), p < 0.001. In patients with eGFR <75, multivariate analysis demonstrated that DES use was an independent predictor of lower MACE (HR BMS vs. DES 1.8, p = 0.0044). CONCLUSION: Age, severity of CKD and 3-vessel disease were independent predictors of mortality following PCI. The mortality risk in CKD patients increased progressively with eGFR <75. The use of DES was associated with a lower rate of MACE in CKD patients with eGFR <75.

Symptom-to-Balloon Time is a Strong Predictor of Adverse Events Following Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From the Australian Capital Territory PCI Registry.

BACKGROUND: Notwithstanding improvements in door-to-balloon time, adverse event rates after primary PCI have remained steady. We analysed the effect of symptom-to-balloon (STB) time, a reflection of total ischaemic time, on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and explored predictors of prolonged STB time. METHODS: The study population included 1002 consecutive patients (22.4% women) with a mean age of 62.3±13.2 years, who underwent primary PCI during 2008-2014. Groups were compared for STB ≤ and >240min. Primary endpoint was one-year MACE, a composite of death, reinfarction, stent thrombosis or target vessel revascularisation. RESULTS: Symptom-to-balloon time was available in 893 patients of which 588 (65.8%) had STB ≤240min and 305 (34.2%) had STB >240min. The incidence of one-year MACE increased significantly in a stepwise manner with increasing STB time (p for trend=0.003). Symptom-to-balloon time was an independent predictor of one-year MACE along with age >70 years, final TIMI flow <3, three vessel disease, cardiogenic shock and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We also performed a multivariate analysis to determine predictors of delayed treatment. Predictors of STB time >240min were age >70 years, female gender, diabetes, absence of prehospital catheter laboratory activation and presentation to a non-PCI centre. CONCLUSION: Incidence of MACE was strongly correlated with STB time and STB time was an independent predictor of MACE. We have identified specific subgroups with prolonged STB times (age >70, female gender, diabetes, absence of prehospital activation and presentation to a non-PCI centre). This information should inform future studies and strategies to minimise delays in these subgroups for improved outcomes.

Association Between Body Mass Index and Age of Presentation With Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). HYPOTHESIS: Patients with increased body mass index (BMI) present at a younger age with symptomatic CAD. METHODS: We analyzed data on 2137 consecutive patients admitted for treatment of CAD proven on angiography from 2010 to 2013, excluding those with prior coronary intervention or bypass surgery. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.1 ± 12.4 years; 75% were male; 43.6% were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 ) and 31.6% were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 ). Patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 compared with <25 kg/m2 were more likely to have diabetes (24.5% vs 13.6%), hypertension (56.2% vs 45.5%), and hyperlipidemia (42.4% vs 31.6%; P < 0.0001 for all). On multivariate analysis adjusted for sex and cardiovascular risk factors, patients in higher BMI categories had lower mean age in a linear and stepwise fashion compared with those with normal BMI (P < 0.0001). For example, compared with patients with normal BMI, those with BMI of 35 to 39.9 kg/m2 were on average 9.2 years younger (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis examining the interaction between sex and BMI produced similar results for effect of BMI on age of presentation (P = 0.97 for interaction). CONCLUSIONS: After multivariate adjustment, patients with increased BMI presented at an earlier age with symptomatic CAD compared with patients with normal BMI. Primary prevention efforts in those with increased BMI to reduce risk-factor burden, including evidence-based treatments for weight reduction, promise to reduce risk or delay onset of CAD.

Shorter ischaemic time and improved survival with pre-hospital STEMI diagnosis and direct transfer for primary PCI.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine if our regional program for pre-hospital STEMI diagnosis and direct transfer for primary PCI (PPCI) was associated with shorter ischaemic times and improved survival compared with ED diagnosis. METHODS: STEMI diagnosis was made at the scene by pre-hospital ECG or in local EDs depending on patient presentation. Ambulance ECGs were transmitted to our ED for cath lab activation. Patient variables and outcomes at 12 months were recorded. RESULTS: We treated 782 consecutive patients with PPCI during January 2008-June 2013. Cath lab activation was initiated prior to hospital arrival (pre-hospital) in 24% of cases and by ED in 76% of cases. Median total ischaemic time was 154 min for pre-hospital and 211 minutes for ED patients (p<0.0001). Mortality at 12 months was 7.9% in the ED group compared with 3.7% in the pre-hospital group (p=0.036). On multivariate Cox regression analysis including baseline and procedural variables, pre-hospital activation remained an independent predictor of mortality (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.20-1.0, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-hospital diagnosis of STEMI and direct transfer to the cath lab reduced total ischaemic time by 57 minutes and mortality by >50% following PPCI. Further efforts are needed to increase the proportion of STEMI patients treated using this strategy.

Induction of phytoalexins in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) in response to inoculation with Fusarium udum and other treatments.

Cajanol accumulation was monitored in four cultivars of pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp, after inoculation with 2 x 10(6) conidia ml-1 of Fusarium udum Butler. Rapid accumulation was observed only in wilt-resistant cultivar ICP 9145. Another wilt-resistant cultivar, ICP 8863, had low levels of cajanol similar to those in wilt-susceptible cultivars ICP 2376 and Malawi local, indicating that rapid cajanol accumulation is not positively correlated with resistance to wilt in pigeonpea. A comparison of various inducing agents showed live conidia of the pathogen to cause more rapid accumulation than the other agents.