Electrocardiography scar quantification correlates with scar size of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy seen by multidetector computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetically transmitted disease, is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease. Current strategies to stratify risk are expensive and concentrated in wealthy centers. Twelve-lead electrocardiography (ECG) is inexpensive, universally available, and can be readily used for Selvester QRS scoring, which estimates scar size. This study aimed to establish the relation between ECG scar quantification and myocardial fibrosis (extent of myocardial delayed enhancement) in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). HYPOTHESIS: There is a significant association between ECG scar quantification and the extent of myocardial delayed enhancement in MDCT. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with HCM underwent a routine clinical evaluation and echocardiography, 12-lead ECG, and MDCT study. Patients with and without an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator were included. RESULTS: The estimated Selvester QRS score of myocardial fibrosis was correlated significantly (R = 0.70; P < 0.01) with the quantified MDCT fibrosis. Compared with MDCT, the QRS score had 84.8% sensitivity and 88.8% specificity. Myocardial fibrosis was present in 88% of these patients with HCM (fibrotic mass, 9.87 10.8 g) comprising 5.66% 6.16% of the total myocardial mass seen on the MDCT images. The Selvester QRS score reliably predicted the fibrotic mass in 76% of patients, which estimated 8.44% 7.39% of the total myocardial mass. CONCLUSIONS: The Selvester QRS score provides reliable quantification of myocardial fibrosis and was well correlated with MDCT in patients with HCM.

Impact of bleeding assessment and adjudication methodology on event rates and clinical trial outcomes: insights from the HORIZONS-AMI trial.

AIMS: Bleeding is a major safety outcome in cardiovascular trials. The present study assessed the impact of the adjudication process of bleeding events on three-year outcomes in the Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction (HORIZONS-AMI) trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: HORIZONS-AMI enrolled 3,602 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. An independent CEC reviewed 445 potential bleeding events identified from three sources: 339 site-reported (SR), 35 CEC-identified, and 71 database (DB)-triggered events based on programmatic identification of a decline in haemoglobin of ≥3 g/dL or in haematocrit by ≥9%; of those, 383/445 (86.1%) met the protocol definition of major bleeding. By multivariable analysis, CEC-confirmed bleeding was an independent predictor of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR] 2.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.81-4.45, p<0.0001) and all-cause death (HR 2.70, 95% CI: 1.92-3.79, p<0.0001) at three years. Non-CEC-confirmed bleeding was also a predictor of cardiovascular death (HR 3.45, 95% CI: 1.47-8.11, p=0.005) and all-cause death (HR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.11-5.23, p=0.03) at three years. CONCLUSIONS: In the HORIZONS-AMI trial, adjudication of bleeding via a centralised CEC process resulted in identification of a larger number of events than were SR. All CEC-confirmed bleeding events were independently predictive of three-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The association of non-CEC-confirmed bleeding with mortality merits further investigation.

Electrocardiography scar quantification correlates with scar size of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy seen by multidetector computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetically transmitted disease, is the most common genetic cardiovascular disease. Current strategies to stratify risk are expensive and concentrated in wealthy centers. Twelve-lead electrocardiography (ECG) is inexpensive, universally available, and can be readily used for Selvester QRS scoring, which estimates scar size. This study aimed to establish the relation between ECG scar quantification and myocardial fibrosis (extent of myocardial delayed enhancement) in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). HYPOTHESIS: There is a significant association between ECG scar quantification and the extent of myocardial delayed enhancement in MDCT. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with HCM underwent a routine clinical evaluation and echocardiography, 12-lead ECG, and MDCT study. Patients with and without an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator were included. RESULTS: The estimated Selvester QRS score of myocardial fibrosis was correlated significantly (R = 0.70; P < 0.01) with the quantified MDCT fibrosis. Compared with MDCT, the QRS score had 84.8% sensitivity and 88.8% specificity. Myocardial fibrosis was present in 88% of these patients with HCM (fibrotic mass, 9.87 ±10.8 g) comprising 5.66% ±6.16% of the total myocardial mass seen on the MDCT images. The Selvester QRS score reliably predicted the fibrotic mass in 76% of patients, which estimated 8.44% ±7.39% of the total myocardial mass. CONCLUSIONS: The Selvester QRS score provides reliable quantification of myocardial fibrosis and was well correlated with MDCT in patients with HCM.

Second generation drug-eluting stents versus bare-metal stents for percutaneous coronary intervention of the proximal left anterior descending artery: An analysis of the BASKET-PROVE I and II trials.

OBJECTIVES: To compare mid-term outcomes between patients undergoing proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with second generation drug-eluting stent (DES) or bare-metal stent (BMS). BACKGROUND: PCI with BMS and first-generation DES have shown to be safe options for the treatment of proximal LAD stenosis, however associated with considerable reintervention rates. Overall, second-generation DES has proven to be superior to BMS and first-generation DES, nevertheless, its effect for proximal LAD PCI has not previously been reported. METHODS: We analyzed 2-year outcomes of 1,100 patients from the BASKET-PROVE I and II trials, referred for proximal LAD PCI with second generation DES (n = 680) or BMS (n = 420). RESULTS: The cumulative 2-year incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE, composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target vessel revascularization (TVR)) was lower in second generation DES than in BMS treated patients (7.3% vs. 12.3%; HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.39/0.85), mainly driven by a reduced rate of TVR (3.7% vs. 10.0%; HR 0.35, CI 0.21/0.58). No difference was found in cardiac death (1.9% vs. 1.9%; HR 1.01, CI 0.42/2.44) and MI (4.4% vs. 4.7%; HR 0.93, CI 0.53/1.64). The benefit of DES use seemed to be more prominent in female patients with a reduction in MACE (P for interaction = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with proximal LAD stenosis, treatment with second-generation DES was associated with reduced 2-year rates of adverse cardiac events and TVR compared to BMS, with reintervention rates similar to those earlier reported from bypass surgery.

Usefulness of Intracoronary Brachytherapy for Patients With Resistant Drug-Eluting Stent Restenosis.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a concern even in the drug-eluting stent (DES) era and carries a high risk of recurrence. Brachytherapy is being used as an alternative treatment for resistant ISR, yet the safety and efficacy of this approach has not been well studied. We analyzed the outcomes of 101 patients who underwent coronary brachytherapy for resistant DES ISR. Baseline demographic, clinical, procedural, and outcome data were collected by phone and from electronic records. Comorbidities and overt cardiovascular disease were highly prevalent. Median previous stent layers were 2 with a maximum of 5 layers. Procedural angiographic success rate was 97% and median time to discharge was 1 day after brachytherapy. The primary outcome of target vessel revascularization was 24% at 1 year, 32% at 2 years, and 42% at 3 years. The rate of nonfatal myocardial infarction was 0% at 1 year, 3.5% at 2 years, and 6% at 3 years. The rate of all-cause mortality was 8.5% at 1 year, 12% at 2 years, and 16% at 3 years. We observed only 1 case of late stent thrombosis. After multivariable adjustment, female gender (hazard ratio 2.37, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 5.52, p = 0.04) and diffuse ISR pattern (hazard ratio 2.95, 95% confidence interval 1.21 to 7.17, p = 0.01) were independently associated with the primary outcome. In conclusion, brachytherapy is feasible for the treatment of resistant DES ISR and is associated with high immediate procedural success and reasonable efficacy in a complex patient population. This approach might be used as an alternative for these patients.

Frequency of Cardiac Death and Stent Thrombosis in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (from the BASKET-PROVE I and II Trials).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with long-term all-cause death after percutaneous coronary intervention with bare-metal stents. Regarding other outcomes, previous studies have shown conflicting results and the impact of drug-eluting stent (DES) in this population is not well known. We analyzed 4,605 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with bare-metal stents (33.1%) or DES (66.9%) from the Basel Stent Kosten-Effektivitats Trial-Prospective Validation Examination trials I and II. COPD patients (n = 283, 6.1%), were older and had more frequently a smoking or cardiovascular event history. At 2-year follow-up, cumulative event rates for patients with versus without COPD were the following: major adverse cardiac events (MACE: composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization): 15.2% versus 8.1% (p <0.001); all-cause death: 11.7% versus 2.4% (p <0.001); cardiac death: 5.7% versus 1.2% (p <0.001); myocardial infarction: 3.5% versus 1.9% (p = 0.045); definite/probable/possible stent thrombosis: 2.5% versus 0.9% (p = 0.01); and major bleeding: 4.2% versus 2.1% (p = 0.014). After adjusting for confounders including smoking status, COPD remained an independent predictor for MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 1.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31 to 2.49), all-cause death (HR 3.62, 95% CI 2.41 to 5.45), cardiac death (HR 3.12, 95% CI 1.74 to 5.60), and stent thrombosis (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.03 to 5.54). We did not find evidence of an interaction between COPD and DES implantation (p for interaction = 0.29) for MACE. In conclusion, COPD is associated with increased 2-year rates of all-cause death, cardiac death, and stent thrombosis after stent implantation. DES use appears to be beneficial also in patients with COPD.

Prognostic value of renal function in patients with aortic stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to analyze the variation of renal function after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) focused on acute kidney injury (AKI) and its impact on short- and mid-term mortality. BACKGROUND: Changes on renal function after TAVR and their impact on clinical outcomes are incompletely understood until now. METHODS: At two tertiary centers 221 consecutive patients were submitted to TAVR. Kidney injury was defined according to VARC-2 criteria. Patients were classified according to the presence (group 1) or absence (group 2) of AKI. Creatinine values were collected daily until seventh day after procedure, 1 month, 6 months, and then 1 year after TAVR. RESULTS: At baseline, groups were similar, except for EuroSCORE II (8.66% vs. 7.34%, P = 0.02) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (39.59 vs. 48.49 mL/min.1.73 m2 , P = 0.002). Overall 30 day-mortality and 1-year mortality were 6.3% and 14.0%, respectively. Both 30-day mortality (23.1% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.001) and 1-year mortality (44.2% vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001) were higher in group 1. After multivariable-adjusted models, the only independent predictor for AKI after TAVR was baseline GFR (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08-1.77, P = 0.01). The independent risk factors for 1-year mortality were AKI (HR: 15.66, 95% CI: 6.07-44.63, P < 0.001), COPD (HR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.05-9.40, P = 0.04) and aortic regurgitation grade postprocedure ≥ 2 (P = 0.05) also after multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this TAVR cohort, baseline GFR was the only independent predictor of AKI, which negatively impacted on 30-day and 1-year mortality. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prospective comparison between three TAVR devices: ACURATE neo vs. CoreValve vs. SAPIEN XT. A single heart team experience in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the new transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device ACURATE neo (ACT) with the already established CoreValve (MCV) and SAPIEN XT (SXT) for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS). BACKGROUND: Very few data on TAVR devices are available beyond MCV and SAPIEN and there is no previous study comparing ACT with MCV and SXT. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR for the treatment of severe AS. Clinical outcomes were reported following Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 (VARC-2) criteria. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients (ACT n = 49, MCV n = 56, SXT n = 57), were included. MCV group had higher valve embolization/migration rates (ACT none; MCV 9%; SXT 2%; P = 0.034) causing lower device success rates (ACT 98%; MCV 86%; SXT 95%; P = 0.043). At 30 days, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (P = 0.22), cardiovascular mortality (P = 0.20), periprocedural myocardial infarction (P = 0.40), stroke (P = 0.64), major vascular complications (P = 0.48), life-threatening bleeding (P = 0.29), acute kidney injury stage 2/3 (P = 0.69), or VARC-2 composite early safety endpoints (P = 0.21). MCV group had higher rates of new permanent pacemaker implantation (ACT 6%; MCV 25%; SXT 11%; P = 0.013). Follow-up echocardiography showed no significant difference in aortic valve mean pressure gradient (P = 0.73) or moderate/severe aortic regurgitation (P = 0.19) between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In a "real world" registry, ACT compared favorably against the well-studied SXT and MCV devices in both safety and efficacy. MCV implantation was associated with lower device success rates and higher rates of new permanent pacemaker implantation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prognostic value of renal function in patients with aortic stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to analyze the variation of renal function after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) focused on acute kidney injury (AKI) and its impact on short- and mid-term mortality. BACKGROUND: Changes on renal function after TAVR and their impact on clinical outcomes are incompletely understood until now. METHODS: At two tertiary centers 221 consecutive patients were submitted to TAVR. Kidney injury was defined according to VARC-2 criteria. Patients were classified according to the presence (group 1) or absence (group 2) of AKI. Creatinine values were collected daily until seventh day after procedure, 1 month, 6 months, and then 1 year after TAVR.RESULTS:At baseline, groups were similar, except for EuroSCORE II (8.66% vs. 7.34%, P = 0.02) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (39.59 vs. 48.49 mL/min.1.73 m2 , P = 0.002). Overall 30 day-mortality and 1-year mortality were 6.3% and 14.0%, respectively. Both 30-day mortality (23.1% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.001) and 1-year mortality (44.2% vs. 4.7%, P < 0.001) were higher in group 1. After multivariable-adjusted models, the only independent predictor for AKI after TAVR was baseline GFR (HR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.08-1.77, P = 0.01). The independent risk factors for 1-year mortality were AKI (HR: 15.66, 95% CI: 6.07-44.63, P < 0.001), COPD (HR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.05-9.40, P = 0.04) and aortic regurgitation grade postprocedure ≥ 2 (P = 0.05) also after multivariate analysis...

Prospective comparison between three TAVR devices: ACURATE neo vs. CoreValve vs. SAPIEN XT. A single heart team experience in patients with severe aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the new transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device ACURATE neo (ACT) with the already established CoreValve (MCV) and SAPIEN XT (SXT) for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS). BACKGROUND: Very few data on TAVR devices are available beyond MCV and SAPIEN and there is no previous study comparing ACT with MCV and SXT. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR for the treatment of severe AS. Clinical outcomes were reported following Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 (VARC-2) criteria.RESULTS:A total of 162 patients (ACT n = 49, MCV n = 56, SXT n = 57), were included. MCV group had higher valve embolization/migration rates (ACT none; MCV 9%; SXT 2%; P = 0.034) causing lower device success rates (ACT 98%; MCV 86%; SXT 95%; P = 0.043). At 30 days, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (P = 0.22), cardiovascular mortality (P = 0.20), periprocedural myocardial infarction (P = 0.40), stroke (P = 0.64), major vascular complications (P = 0.48), life-threatening bleeding (P = 0.29), acute kidney injury stage 2/3 (P = 0.69), or VARC-2 composite early safety endpoints (P = 0.21). MCV group had higher rates of new permanent pacemaker implantation (ACT 6%; MCV 25%; SXT 11%; P = 0.013). Follow-up echocardiography showed no significant difference in aortic valve mean pressure gradient (P = 0.73) or moderate/severe aortic regurgitation (P = 0.19) between groups...

TAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis and less than high risk: Future or present reality?

TAVR use is growing in patients with less than high surgical risk. Several registries, including this one, show excellent safety with TAVR in intermediate-risk patients compared with similar patients undergoing SAVR. Long-term data from ongoing randomized trials will answer definitively if we should routinely perform TAVR in intermediate-risk patients.

Implante transcateter valve-in-valve para disfunção de biopróteses cirúrgicas aórticas / Transcatheter valve-in-valve implantation for surgical aortic bioprosthesis dysfunction

Introdução: Estudos recentes têm demonstrado a eficácia do implante transcateter valve-in-valve para otratamento de disfunção de biopróteses em pacientes de alto risco cirúrgico. Apresentamos nossa experiênciainicial com o implante valve-in-valve.Métodos: Caracterizamos o perfil clínico, ecocardiográfico e do procedimento, e reportamos os resultados de médio prazo de pacientes com disfunção de bioprótese submetidos a implante valve-in-valve em posição aórtica. Resultados: Incluímos sete pacientes do sexo masculino, com idade de 72,6 ± 10,0 anos. O escore STS foi 9,6± 10,5%, e o EuroSCORE logístico foi 22,7 ± 14,7%. Três pacientes apresentavam dupla disfunção; dois tinham insuficiência; e dois exibiam estenose isolada. A via transfemoral foi utilizada em seis casos, e a transapical, em um caso. Os dispositivos implantados incluíram as próteses Sapien XT (n = 5) e CoreValve (n = 2). O sucesso do procedimento foi obtido em seis (85,7%) casos. Após o procedimento, o gradiente médio reduziu-se de 38,2 ± 9,6mmHg para 20,9 ± 5,9 mmHg, e a área valvar elevou-se de 1,2 ± 0,4 cm2 para 1,5 ± 0,5 cm2. Ao final de 1 ano, nãoocorreram óbitos e nem outros desfechos adversos significativos; 80% dos pacientes encontravam-se em classefuncional NYHA I/II. Os gradientes transvalvares e a área valvar permaneceram inalterados nesse período. Conclusões: O procedimento valve-in-valve foi eficaz na maioria dos pacientes de alto risco cirúrgico comdisfunção de bioprótese. Quando realizado em pacientes bem selecionados, resulta em desfechos clínicos e hemodinâmicos satisfatórios.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of the transcatheter valve-in-valveimplantation for the treatment of bioprosthesis dysfunction in high-risk surgical patients. This study presents the initial experience with valve-in-valve implantation. Methods: Clinical, echocardiographic, and procedural profiles were characterized, and the mid-term results of patients with surgical bioprosthesis dysfunction submitted to valve-in-valve implantation in theaortic position were reported.Results: Seven male patients were included, aged 72.6 ± 10.0 years. The STS score was 9,6 ± 10,5%, andthe logistic EuroSCORE was 22.7 ± 14.7%. Three patients had combined aortic bioprosthesis failure; two had isolated regurgitation; and two had isolated stenosis. The transfemoral access was used in six cases, and the transapical access in one case. Implanted devices included Sapien XT (n = 5) and CoreValve (n = 2) prostheses. Procedural success was achieved in six (85.7%) cases. After the procedure, the mean gradient decreased from 38.2 ± 9.6 mmHg to 20.9 ± 5.9 mmHg, and the valve area increased from 1.2 ±0.4 cm2 to 1.5 ± 0.5 cm2. After 1 year, there were no deaths and no other significant adverse outcomes; 80% of patients were in NYHA functional class I/II. The transvalvular gradients and valve area remained unchanged in this period.

Estratificação de risco de eventos cardiovasculares através de métodos eletrocardiográficos não invasivos / Risk stratification of cardiovascular events via noninvasive electrocardiographic methods

Buscar um preditor ideal de morte súbita (MS) e eventos cardiovasculares há tempos é um dos objetivos da cardiologia. Ferramentas com maior especificidade, excelente sensibilidade e mínima invasibilidade permitiriam ao cardiologista escolher a melhor sequencia de exames para auxiliar no manejo de cada condição cardiovascular específica. Durante a evolução dos métodos de aquisição, procesamento e interpretação do sinal eletrocardiográfico, as mudanças caminharam do simples eletrocardiograma...