Impact of Sex Differences on Clinical Outcomes in Patients Following Primary Revascularization for Acute Myocardial Infarction　- Insights From the Japanese Nationwide Registry.

BACKGROUND: Women with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often present a worse risk profile and experience a higher rate of in-hospital mortality than men. However, sex differences in post-discharge prognoses remain inadequately investigated. We examined the impact of sex on 1-year post-discharge outcomes in patients with AMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods and Results: We extracted patient-level data for the period January 2017-December 2018 from the J-PCI OUTCOME Registry, endorsed by the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics. One-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events were compared between men and women. In all, 29,856 AMI patients were studied, with 6,996 (23.4%) being women. Women were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of comorbidities than men. Crude all-cause mortality was significantly higher among women than men (7.5% vs. 5.4% [P<0.001] for ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]; 7.0% vs. 5.2% [P=0.006] for non-STEMI). These sex-related differences in post-discharge outcomes were attenuated after stratification by age. Multivariate analysis demonstrated an increase in all-cause mortality in both sexes with increasing age and advanced-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). CONCLUSIONS: Within this nationwide cohort, women had worse clinical outcomes following AMI than men. However, these sex-related differences in outcomes diminished after adjusting for age. In addition, CKD was significantly associated with all-cause mortality in both sexes.

Instant subacute stent thrombosis after maximum-load cardiopulmonary exercise test in a clopidogrel poor metabolizer with acute coronary syndrome.

A 63-year-old man with a hobby of full marathon and triathlon fainted while commuting on a 25-km one-way bicycle trip and was admitted to the hospital after return of spontaneous circulation. The patient was diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography for trauma diagnosis indicated suspicion of liver injury. Although coronary angiography revealed a severe stenotic lesion in the left anterior descending artery, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was deferred because of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction grade 3 flow. Following neurological recovery, the patient was started on dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel). On day 11, a 3.0/34-mm Resolute Onyx stent (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) was deployed following rotablation. As a pre-discharge evaluation, a maximum-load cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed 8 days after PCI. However, the patient developed stent thrombosis after 2 h. Subsequently, the patient was diagnosed as a clopidogrel poor metabolizer using a blood test. Learning objective: Existing guidelines recommend a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) before or immediately after the discharge of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the safety of the maximum-load CPET has not been established, especially in clopidogrel poor metabolizers with ACS. Acute maximal exercise induces platelet aggregation; therefore, further discussion is needed regarding the timing of CPET, exercise load level, and patient observation post-CPET in ACS patients after stent placement.

Comprehensive Unloading Strategy for Rapid Heart Recovery Under Support With Impella.

The establishment of a strategy for rapid heart recovery in patients with cardiogenic shock is required. Impella is a percutaneous left ventricular (LV) assist device that maintains hemodynamic stability and also causes LV mechanical unloading. However, the timing at which Impella should be started and a systematic strategy after the start of Impella have not been established. We report a representative case of dilated cardiomyopathy requiring catecholamines and intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP). The hemodynamics were unstable under IABP support, and withdrawal from IABP or catecholamines was considered impossible. However, the exchange of the IABP with Impella CP made it possible to suppress the heart rate with ivabradine, introduce intensive heart failure medication, and discontinue catecholamines. The patient was weaned from Impella 24 days after the start of the first Impella CP. Rapid heart recovery was achieved with favorable outcomes. We present a comprehensive strategy for rapid heart recovery using Impella in a patient with cardiogenic shock.

Posterior circumflex humeral artery pathological lesions with digital ischemia in an elite volleyball player: A case report and literature review.

The posterior circumflex humeral artery, a branch of the axillary artery, is compressed by the humeral head during repeated abduction and external rotation of the shoulder joint owing to its anatomical structure. This damages the vascular endothelium, resulting in thrombi, arterial dissection, and aneurysms, a condition known as posterior, circumflex humeral artery pathological lesions. A thrombus may form at the site and becomes a peripheral embolus, resulting in peripheral arterial occlusion.A 21-year-old right-handed elite man college volleyball player noticed coldness and pain in his right hand during a game. Cyanosis was present except in the middle finger, and the beating radial artery was palpable; however, the ulnar artery was not. Doppler ultrasound examination revealed thrombus occlusion of the ulnar artery and common palmar artery of the index finger. Peripheral arterial occlusion was diagnosed due to embolization of a thrombus from this site. The patient stopped practicing volleyball immediately after the onset of symptoms and was started on cilostazol 200 mg and rivaroxaban 15 mg. Subjective coldness of the fingers improved one week after the start of treatment. The patient resumed practice four weeks after the start of treatment and participated in a game by the seventh week.Posterior circumflex humeral artery pathological lesions are caused by overhead motions such as pitching. They are most commonly reported in athletes playing volleyball, although rare, and many cases of aneurysm formation have been reported.Observing a cold sensation in the periphery after practice is necessary for screening.

Subendocardial Ischemia Caused by Acute Severe Aortic Regurgitation Due to Aortic Root Dissection: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings showing ST-segment depression in a wide range of leads and ST-segment elevation in aVR are found in patients with acute coronary syndrome with multivessel coronary lesions and left main trunk lesions. A 64-year-old man with a history of eosinophilic granulomatosis presented with chest pain and dyspnea. Although an ECG showed the above findings, he was diagnosed with acute severe aortic regurgitation (AR) complicating aortic root dissection and successfully underwent urgent Bentall operation. These ECG findings indicated that acute severe AR caused subendocardial ischemia.

Impact of coronary plaque characteristics on periprocedural myocardial injury in elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) and plaque characteristics detected by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational retrospective study, between July 2012 and October 2019, included chronic coronary syndrome patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after MDCT and CMR. High-intensity plaque (HIP) on non-contrast T1-weighted imaging was defined as a coronary plaque-to-myocardium signal intensity ratio of ≥ 1.4. High-risk plaque (HRP) in MDCT displayed ≥ 2 features: positive remodeling, low-attenuation plaque, spotty calcification, and napkin-ring sign. PMI was defined as an increase in cardiac troponin T levels > 5 times the upper normal limit at 24 h after PCI. RESULTS: Ninety-five target lesions in 76 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 67 years ± 9; 62 males [82%]) were included. Twenty-one patients (24 lesions) were assigned to the PMI group, while 55 patients (71 lesions) to the non-PMI group. Presence of HRP characteristics on MDCT and HIP on CMR was significantly higher in the PMI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HRP in MDCT and HIP in CMR were significant independent predictors of PMI. Target lesions with HRP on MDCT and HIP on CMR were significantly more likely to develop PMI. In 141 plaques with ≥ 50% stenosis (76 patients), patients with PMI had significantly more frequent HRP in MDCT and HIP in CMR in target and non-target lesions. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT and CMR can play an important role in the detection of high-risk lesions for PMI following elective PCI. KEY POINTS: • Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that high-risk plaque on MDCT and high-intensity plaque on MRI were significant independent predictors of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI). • Target lesions with high-risk plaque on MDCT and high-intensity plaque on CMR were significantly more likely to develop PMI. • In 141 plaques with ≥ 50% stenosis, patients with PMI were significantly more likely to have high-risk plaques on MDCT and high-intensity plaque on CMR in target and non-target lesions.

Isolated Right Ventricular Infarction: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Isolated right ventricular (RV) infarction is extremely rare and its diagnosis may be challenging, because RV infarction most often occurs simultaneously with infarction of the inferior wall of the left ventricle. A 66-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus presented with cold sweat and general malaise. Although his symptoms were atypical for myocardial infarction, he was quickly diagnosed with RV infarction and successfully underwent urgent percutaneous coronary intervention. He was definitely diagnosed with isolated RV infarction by a scintigram and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Our review showed the importance of the combined assessment in the diagnosis of isolated RV infarction.

Vasospastic angina in a chronic myeloid leukemia patient treated with nilotinib.

BACKGROUND: Nilotinib, a second-generation BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is highly effective in the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), despite being more vasculotoxic than older TKIs such as imatinib. Herein, we present a case of nilotinib-associated vasospastic angina confirmed by an acetylcholine spasm provocation test. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old CML patient treated with 300 mg nilotinib twice daily complained of several episodes of rest angina and was hospitalized at our institution. Coronary angiography revealed no severe organic stenosis, and the acetylcholine spasm provocation test confirmed the diagnosis of vasospastic angina. Although treatment with a calcium channel blocker and nicorandil reduced the frequency of chest pain, angina symptoms continued to occur. At 10 months post discharge, the patient complained of increased frequency of angina; therefore, the nilotinib dosage was reduced to 150 mg twice daily. Consequently, the patient reported a significant improvement in chest symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the potential vasculotoxic effects of nilotinib. Cardiologists and hematologists should be vigilant for coronary artery spasm as a possible vascular adverse event caused by nilotinib.

Additional Effect of Coronary High-Intensity Plaque on T1-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Circulating Malondialdehyde-Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein on Cardiac Events.

BACKGROUND: Although elevated levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) could play a critical role in vulnerable plaque, there are no studies that have compared coronary high-intensity plaque (HIP) and circulating malondialdehyde-modified (MDA)-LDL levels for the prediction of cardiac events.Methods and Results:A total of 139 patients with coronary artery stenosis (>70%) were examined with non-contrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (HIP: n=64, non-HIP: n=75). Scheduled percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for culprit lesions was performed within 48 h after MRI. HIP was defined as a signal intensity of coronary plaque to cardiac muscle ratio (PMR) ≥1.4. We evaluated the subsequent major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the follow-up period (5.6±1.3 years). MDA-LDL levels were independently associated with the presence of HIP (P<0.0001). The incidence of MACE was 15%, and it was significantly higher in patients with HIP (27%) than in those without HIP (5%; P=0.011). Cox proportional hazard analysis showed MDA-LDL levels (P=0.007) and PMR (P=0.016) were significantly associated with MACE. For MACE prediction, C-statistic values for MDA-LDL, PMR, and PMR+MDA-LDL were 0.724, 0.791, and 0.800, respectively. Compared with MDA-LDL alone, the addition of PMR to MDA-LDL increased net reclassification improvement by 0.78 (P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: MDA-LDL levels might be associated with the presence of HIP in patients with coronary artery disease. Furthermore, adding PMR to MDA-LDL levels markedly improved prediction of subsequent MACE after PCI.

Potential risk of perioperative thromboembolism in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A case series.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a positive serum antiphospholipid antibody status. Patients with APS usually have an underlying hypercoagulable state, which can increase the risk of perioperative thromboembolism. We describe three patients with APS who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Of them, two had complicated cerebrovascular events, and the other had no complications. Careful antithrombotic management is essential to minimize the risk of thromboembolism and bleeding in patients with APS.

In Vivo Evaluation of Tissue Protrusion by Using Optical Coherence Tomography and Coronary Angioscopy Immediately After Stent Implantation.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the characteristics of tissue protrusion detected by using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the findings of coronary angioscopy (CAS) immediately after stent implantation were evaluated.Methods and Results:A total of 186 patients (192 stents) underwent OCT before and after stenting and were observed by using CAS immediately after stenting and at the chronic phase. Patients were assigned to irregular protrusion, smooth protrusion, and disrupted fibrous tissue protrusion groups according to OCT findings. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured before and after stent implantation. The grade of yellow color (YC) and neointimal coverage (NC), and incidence of thrombus in the stented segment were evaluated by using CAS. After stent implantation, maximum YC grade (smooth, 0.64±0.80; disrupted fibrous tissue, 0.50±0.77; irregular, 1.50±1.09; P<0.0001), a prevalence of Max-YC grade of 2 or 3 (smooth, 17%; disrupted fibrous tissue, 17%; irregular, 50%; P<0.0001) and thrombus (smooth, 15%; disrupted fibrous tissue, 10%; irregular, 69%; P=0.0005), and elevated hs-CRP levels (smooth, 0.22±0.89; disrupted fibrous tissue, -0.05±0.29; irregular, 0.75±1.41; P=0.023) were significantly higher in irregular protrusion than in the other 2 groups. In the chronic phase, maximum- and minimum-NC grade and heterogeneity index, and thrombus did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Irregular protrusion was associated with atherosclerotic yellow plaque, incidence of thrombus, and vascular inflammation. The angioscopic findings in the chronic phase may endorse the clinical efficacy of second- and third-drug eluting stents, regardless of the tissue protrusion type.

Fatal acute hypernatremia resulting from a massive intake of seasoning soy sauce.

BACKGROUND: Hypernatremia due to salt poisoning is clinically rare and standard care procedures have not been established. We report a case of salt poisoning due to massive intake of seasoning soy sauce. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with seizures and remarkable hypernatremia with a serum sodium concentration of 183 mEq/L. The initial brain computed tomography scan showed brain shrinkage, which could occur during the acute phase of hypernatremia. We reduced her serum sodium level rapidly, rather than at the recommended slow rate. On day 3, the patient's brain computed tomography scan showed widespread low-density areas and edema. The patient died 8 days after admission. CONCLUSION: After reviewing instances of resuscitation following salt intoxication, aggressive rapid correction of serum sodium concentration should only be considered in acute phases of hypernatremia within a few hours from ingestion, and 2-3 h could be one of the criteria.