Long-Term Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Moderate and Severe COVID-19: A Focus on Early Statin Use and Previous CVD.

Background: Limited data exist regarding the status of long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We aimed to examine the efficacy of early statin use after SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and the impact of prior CVD on the incidence of cardiovascular events. Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed on hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) as a composite of cardiovascular mortality, stroke, heart failure, venous thromboembolism (VTE), revascularization, and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI). The secondary endpoints comprised MACE components, all-cause mortality, readmission for COVID-19, and impaired functional classes. Results: The mean age of the 858 participants was 55.52±13.97 years, and the median follow-up time was 13 months (11.5-15). Men comprised 63.9% of the patients. Overall, MACE occurred in 84 subjects (9.8%), and 98 patients (11.4%) received ventilation. A multivariate Cox regression model was employed to explore the association between statin use and outcomes, and the following hazard ratios were obtained: MACE (0.831 [0.529 to 0.981]; P=0.044), All-cause mortality (1.098 [0.935 to 1.294]; P=0.255), stroke (0.118 [0.029 to 0.48]; P=0.003), revascularization (0.103 [0.029 to 0.367]; P<0.0001), poor functional capacity (0.827 [0.673 to 1.018]; P=0.073), nonfatal MI (0.599 [0.257 to 1.394]; P=0.234), VTE (0.376 [0.119 to 1.190]; P=0.096), and decompensated heart failure (0.137 [0.040 to 0.472]; P=0.002). Prior CVD predicted MACE (2.953 [1.393 to 6.271]; P=0.005), all-cause death (1.170 [0.960 to 1.412]; P=0.102), and VTE (2.770 [0.957 to 8.955]; P=0.051). Conclusion: Previous CVD is a robust predictor of long-term MACE and VTE. Early statin use might decrease the incidence rates of MACE, ischemic stroke, revascularization, and readmission for heart failure.

Cardiogenic shock following acute MI in a young patient with familial hypercholesterolemia, and severe aortic stenosis: A case report.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia is a relatively rare disorder with various clinical manifestations including premature coronary artery disease. Case presentation: A 15-year-old boy presented with acute exacerbation of dyspnea and exertional chest pain with a progressive feature since one month earlier. He had a clustered family history of premature cardiovascular death, hyperlipidemia, and cutaneous lesions in two of his siblings. He presented with acute severe heart failure accompanied with high levels of cardiac troponin and LDL cholesterol. Echocardiography revealed severe LV dysfunction, in concert with valvular and supravalvular Aortic stenosis. He underwent Coronary angiography, which showed involvement of Left main coronary artery and two-vessel disease. The patient was diagnosed with cardiogenic shock secondary to acute non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, and phenotype of familial hypercholesterolemia. Conclusions: Premature malignant atherogenesis in both aortic root and coronary arteries with early presentation of acute myocardial infarction and severe heart failure is an uncommon constellation in early course of the FH, which leads to confined treatment options.

Evaluation of the Practice Guideline Used for Rule-Out of Myocardial Infarction at a Tertiary Cardiology Center.

INTRODUCTION: With the current high burden on the healthcare system and limited resources, the efficient utilization of facilities is of utmost importance. We sought to present the practice guideline used at a high prevalence tertiary cardiology center and compare its safety and efficacy performance with the single high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T strategy, conventional and modified HEART score. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain or an angina equivalent were recruited. The primary endpoints consisted of major adverse cardiac events at index visits and 30-day follow-up. Patients were managed according to the practice guideline, and sensitivity and negative predictive values were compared. RESULTS: Of the total 1548 patients, the mean age was 50.4 ± 15.7 years. Ninety-nine (10.9%) patients were admitted at the index visit, and 89 patients were consequently diagnosed with acute coronary symptoms. Six (0.007%) patients experienced major adverse cardiac events within the 30-day follow-up among discharged patients. Among 911 patients with at least 1 troponin, using single high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, HEART score, and modified HEART score would have further admitted 805, 450, and 609 patients, respectively. The negative predictive value for all 4 algorithms did not significantly differ (99.2% vs. 100% vs. 99.3% vs. 99.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The Tehran Herat Center protocol was a relatively safe protocol with high efficacy. Despite the high safety of the other diagnostic pathways, the high volume of patients needing additional evaluation could impose a high burden on the health care system.

Impact of Baseline Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Using CKD-EPI Equation on Long-term Prognosis of STEMI Patients: A Matter of Small Increments!

BACKGROUND: Baseline biomarkers including glomerular filtration rate (GFR) guide the management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). GFR is a tool for prediction of adverse outcomes in these patients. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the prognostic utility of estimated GFR using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration in a cohort of STEMI patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort was designed among 5953 patients with STEMI. Primary endpoint of the study was major adverse cardiovascular events. GFR was classified into 3 categories delineated as C1 (<60 mL/min), C2 (60-90), and C3 (≥ 90). RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 60.38 ± 5.54 years and men constituted 78.8% of the study participants. After a median of 22 months, Multivariate Cox-regression demonstrated that hazards of major averse cardiovascular event, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and nonfatal myocardial infarction were significantly lower for subjects in C3 as compared with those in C1. Corresponding hazard ratios (HRs) for mentioned outcomes regarding C3 versus C1 were (95% confidence interval) were (HR = 0.852 [0.656-0.975]; P = 0.035), (HR = 0.425 [0.250-0.725]; P = 0.002), (HR = 0.425 [0.242-0.749]; P = 0.003), and (0.885 [0.742-0.949]; P = 0.003), respectively. Normal GFR was also associated with declined in-hospital mortality with HR of C3 versus C1: 0.299 (0.178-0.504; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Baseline GFR via Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration is associated with long-term cardiovascular outcomes following STEMI.