Comparison of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale in cryptogenic strokes.

OBJECTIVES: Paradoxical embolism from right-to-left shunt through atrial septal defect (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a well-accepted cause of "cryptogenic" strokes (CS). To better understand the pathogenic role of ASD, we compared ASD patients with CS having a high and low likelihood of being PFO-related. METHODS: In the Acute Stroke Registry and Analysis of Lausanne, we calculated prevalence of PFO and ASD in CS patients undergoing echocardiography, and calculated odds ratios (OR) when compared to non-CS. Using the Risk of Paradoxical Embolism (RoPE) score, we divided CS PFO patients in high (HL-PFO, RoPE 8-10) and low-likelihood (LL-PFO, RoPE 0-4) PFO-related stroke. We then performed univariate comparison of epidemiological, clinical and radiological variables of ASD patients with both PFO groups. RESULTS: Among all CS, prevalence of ASD and PFO were 1.3% and 36.8% respectively. When compared to non-CS, ASD and PFO were associated with CS (OR of 5.2, CI= 1.6-16.6, and 2.8, CI= 2.1-3.8). Compared with HL-PFO, ASD patients were older, more often female, had more cardiovascular risk factors and silent strokes. Compared with LL-PFO, ASD patients were younger, more often female, and had less risk factors. No differences were found for clinical and radiological characteristics and clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: ASD is a rare stroke risk factor for CS. Since characteristics of such patients lie in-between high and low-likelihood paradoxical PFO-strokes, a thorough work-up for other stroke mechanisms is warranted. Individual evaluation of the likelihood of the ASD being causative for stroke may be preferable over routine ASD closure.

Ultrathin-strut vs thin-strut drug-eluting stents for multi and single-stent lesions: A lesion-level subgroup analysis of 2 randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Whether ultrathin-strut stents are particularly beneficial for lesions requiring implantation of more than 1 stent is unknown. METHODS: In a post-hoc lesion-level analysis of 2 randomized trials comparing ultrathin-strut biodegradable polymer Sirolimus-eluting stents (BP-SES) vs thin-strut durable polymer Everolimus-eluting stents (DP-EES), lesions were stratified into multistent lesions (MSL) vs single-stent lesions (SSL). The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of lesion-related unclear/cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), or revascularization, at 24 months. RESULTS: Among 5328 lesions in 3397 patients, 1492 (28%) were MSL (722 with BP-SES, 770 with DP-EES). At 2 years, TLF occurred in 63 lesions (8.9%) treated with BP-SES and 60 lesions (7.9%) treated with DP-EES in the MSL-group (subdistibution hazard ratio [SHR], 1.13; 95% CI, 0.77-1.64; P = .53), and in 121 (6.4%) and 136 (7.4%) lesions treated with BP-SES and DP-EES respectively (SHR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.62-1.18; P = .35) in the SSL-group (P for interaction = .241). While the rates of lesion-related MI or revascularization were significantly lower in SSL treated with BP-SES as compared to DP-EES (3.5% vs 5.2%; SHR, 0.67; 95% CI 0.46-0.97; P = .036), no significant difference was observed in MSL (7.1% vs 5.4%; SHR, 1.31; 95% CI 0.85-2.03; P = .216) with significant interaction between groups (P for interaction = .014). CONCLUSIONS: Rates of TLF are similar between ultrathin-strut BP-SES and thin-strut DP-EES in MSL and SSL. The use of ultrathin-strut BP-SES vs thin-strut DP-EES did not prove to be particularly beneficial for the treatment of multistent lesions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Post-hoc analysis from the BIOSCIENCE (NCT01443104) and BIOSTEMI (NCT02579031) trials.

Comparison of the prognostic value of impaired stress myocardial blood flow, myocardial flow reserve, and myocardial flow capacity on low-dose Rubidium-82 SiPM PET/CT.

BACKGROUND: The most reliable quantitative variable on Rubidium-82 (82Rb) cardiac PET/CT for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) has not been characterized with low-dose silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) technology, which allows halving injected activity and radiation dose delivering less than 1.0 mSv in a 70-kg individual. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively enrolled 234 consecutive participants with suspected myocardial ischemia. Participants underwent 82Rb cardiac SiPM PET/CT (5 MBq/kg) and were followed up for MACE over 652 days (interquartile range 559-751 days). For each participant, global stress myocardial blood flow (stress MBF), global myocardial flow reserve (MFR), and regional severely reduced myocardial flow capacity (MFCsevere) were measured. The Youden index was used to select optimal thresholds. In multivariate analysis after adjustments for clinical risk factors, reduced global stress MBF < 1.94 ml/min/g, reduced global MFR < 1.98, and regional MFCsevere > 3.2% of left ventricle emerged all as independent predictors of MACE (HR 4.5, 3.1, and 3.67, respectively, p < 0.001). However, only reduced global stress MBF remained an independent prognostic factor for MACE after adjusting for clinical risk factors and the combined use of global stress MBF, global MFR, and regional MFCsevere impairments (HR 2.81, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Using the latest SiPM PET technology with low-dose 82Rb halving the standard activity to deliver < 1 mSv for a 70-kg patient, impaired global stress MBF, global MFR, and regional MFC were powerful predictors of cardiovascular events, outperforming traditional cardiovascular risk factors. However, only reduced global stress MBF independently predicted MACE, being superior to global MFR and regional MFC impairments.

[Cardiology: what's new in 2022]. / Cardiologie : ce qui a changé en 2022.

The year of 2022 was marked by many novelties in the fields of interventional cardiology, heart failure, electrophysiology, cardiac imaging, and congenital heart disease. These advances will certainly change our daily practice, on top of improving the diagnosis and treatment of many heart conditions. In addition, the European Society of Cardiology has updated its guidelines on pulmonary hypertension, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death, cardiovascular assessment of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. The members of the Cardiology division of Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) here present the publications which they considered to be the most important of the past year.

L'année 2022 a été marquée par de nombreuses nouveautés dans les domaines de la cardiologie interventionnelle, de l'insuffisance cardiaque, de l'électrophysiologie, de l'imagerie cardiaque et des cardiopathies congénitales. Ces progrès vont certainement faire évoluer notre pratique quotidienne, en plus d'améliorer le diagnostic et le traitement de nombreuses cardiopathies. Par ailleurs, la Société européenne de cardiologie a mis à jour ses recommandations portant sur l'hypertension pulmonaire, les arythmies ventriculaires et la mort subite ainsi que le bilan cardiologique avant une chirurgie non cardiaque. Les membres du Service de cardiologie du CHUV vous présentent ici les travaux qui leur ont semblé être les plus importants de l'année écoulée.

Diagnostic performance of angiography-derived fractional flow reserve in patients with NSTEMI.

Noninvasive methods of estimating invasively measured fractional flow reserve (FFRinvasive ) are actively being explored, aiming to avoid the use of an invasive pressure wire and the administration of hyperemia-inducing drugs. Coronary angiography-derived FFR (FFRangio ) has already demonstrated its diagnostic performance in the context of stable coronary artery disease. However, its applicability in the context of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has yet to be established. We sought to determine the diagnostic performance of FFRangio exclusively in patients presenting with NSTEMI. We performed a prospective, single-center, single-arm, double-blinded study comparing FFR calculated by FFRangio to FFRinvasive in NSTEMI patients. FFRinvasive was measured in all angiographically intermediate lesions (30%-70% stenosis) and was then compared to FFRangio which was calculated at the same position, by a blinded operator. The primary endpoints were the sensitivity and specificity of FFRangio for predicting FFRinvasive using a cut-off value of ≤0.80. Among 100 NSTEMI patients who were screened, 46 patients with 60 vessels in total underwent FFRinvasive and were included in the study. The mean value of FFRinvasive was 0.83 ± 0.3 with 22 (36%) being ≤0.80 while the mean FFRangio was 0.82 ± 0.1 with 22 (36%) being ≤0.80. FFRangio exhibited a sensitivity of 95.5%, a specificity of 97.4%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 96.7%. FFRangio can precisely and noninvasively estimate FFRinvasive in acute coronary syndromes and may have a role in guiding treatment decisions related to angiographically intermediate coronary lesions in this context. WHAT IS KNOWN: FFRangio has demonstrated its diagnostic performance in validation studies, as a noninvasive and cost-effective method in the context of stable coronary artery disease but its performance has never been exclusively evaluated in NSTEMI patients. WHAT IS NEW: The present prospective single-center study demonstrates the excellent diagnostic performance of FFRangio in detecting functionally significant coronary artery stenosis in the setting of NSTEMI, providing more confidence in utilizing FFRangio in this population, avoiding the risk of an invasive pressure wire and the administration of hyperemia-inducing drugs. WHAT IS NEXT: Future randomized trials evaluating FFRangio -guided treatment of coronary artery disease (stable or ACS) are now needed to definitively establish the role of FFRangio in the physiological assessment of coronary lesions.

Impact of manual thrombectomy on microvascular obstruction in STEMI patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of manual thrombectomy (MT) on microvascular obstruction (MVO) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-three patients admitted for STEMI and undergoing CMR fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were categorized into two groups (did or did not undergo MT). The two primary endpoints were the occurrence and extent of MVO, analyzed as a categorical variable and as a semicontinuous variable. Among the 383 patients, 49.1% exhibited MVO. Both the incidence of MVO and the median number of segments presenting with MVO were significantly higher in the MT group than in the no-MT group, (59.5 vs. 38.9%, p < .001) and (1.5 [0;4] vs. 0 [0;2], p < .001). Analysis stratified on coronary thrombus grade showed similar results, only in patients with a high thrombus burden (60.7 vs. 43.5%, p = .004, and 2 [0;4] vs. 0 [0;3], p = .001. When adjusting for baseline differences, MT remained a determinant of MVO occurrence and extent (odds ratio, OR 1.802 [95% confidence interval, CI 1.080-3.009], p = .024) and ß = .137, p = .024) in patients with a high thrombus grade. CONCLUSION: In STEMI patients, MT was associated with the occurrence and extent of MVO, on CMR, especially in patients with a high thrombus burden.

Future culprit detection based on angiography-derived FFR.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize the hemodynamic impact of mild coronary artery disease (CAD) using quantitative flow ratio (QFR, an angiography-derived fractional flow reserve [FFR]) in a population of patients with only non-significant CAD at baseline that subsequently experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). BACKGROUND: The discriminatory value of FFR in patients with mild CAD remains imperfect. METHODS: We retrospectively included patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography for an MI, in whom another angiogram had been performed within the previous 5 years. Three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, QFR, and lesion length analysis were conducted on lesions responsible for the MI (future culprit lesions, [FCL]) as well as on control lesions (non-culprit lesions, [NCL]). RESULTS: Eighty-three FCL and 117 NCL were analyzed in 83 patients: FCL were more severe (median % diameter of stenosis [DS] 39.1% [29.8; 45.7] vs. 29.8% [25.0; 37.2], p < .001), had lower QFR values (0.94 [0.86; 0.98] vs. 0.98 [0.96; 1.00], p < .001) and tended to be longer (15.2 mm [10.0; 27.3] vs. 12.7 mm [9.3; 22.4], p = .070) than NCL. In lesions with an interval < 2 years between baseline angiography and MI, the difference in QFR was more pronounced compared to the lesions with a longer interval (FCL: 0.92 [0.85; 0.97] vs. NCL: 0.98 [0.94; 1.00], p < .001 and FCL: 0.96 [0.88; 1.00] vs. NCL: 0.98 [0.96;1.00], p = .006 respectively) CONCLUSION: Mild coronary stenoses that are subsequently responsible for an MI (FCL) exhibit a higher DS and lower QFR years before the event. Furthermore, FCL with a lower QFR at baseline appear to lead earlier to MI.

Head-to-head comparison of multiple cardiovascular magnetic resonance techniques for the detection and quantification of intramyocardial haemorrhage in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: T2*-weighted (T2*w) is deemed as a reference standard for post-infarction intramyocardial haemorrhage (IMH). However, high proportion of T2* images is affected by off-resonance artefacts hampering image interpretation. Diagnostic accuracy and precision of alternative techniques for IMH diagnosis and quantification have been seldomly investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between April 2016 and May 2017, 50 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients (66% male, 57 ± 17 years) and 15 healthy controls (60% male, 58 ± 13) were consecutively enrolled. Subjects underwent head-to-head comparison of single mid-infarct slice acquired on black-blood T2-weighted short-TI-inversion recovery (T2w-STIR), bright-blood T2prep-steady-state-free precession (T2prep-SSFP), and T2/T1 maps for IMH diagnosis and quantification against T2*w. All images were graded for quality (grade 1: very poor; grade 4: excellent) and diagnostic confidence (Likert scale, 1: very unsure and 5: highly confident). Reduced relaxation time/hypointense region (hypocore) embedded in infarct-related oedema on T2 map, T1 map, and T2w-STIR had the best overall diagnostic accuracy (per-subject: 91%, 86%, and 86%, respectively; per segment: 95%, 93%, and 93%, respectively). By mixed-effects analysis, image quality, and diagnostic confidence were higher for T2 map and T1 maps than T2*w (p < 0.05 for both scores). For IMH quantification, hypocore on T2 map and T1 map strongly correlated (Spearman's r > 0.7, p < 0.001 for both) with IMH extent on T2*w and presented an overall excellent agreement on Bland-Altman analysis. By linear mixed model analysis, absolute hypocore size did not differ among T1-, T2 map, and T2*w. T2/T1 maps had the best intra- and inter-observer reproducibility among CMR techniques. CONCLUSION: Hypocore on T2/T1 map is the best alternative technique to T2*w for diagnosing and quantifying IMH in post-STEMI patients. KEY POINT: • Mapping techniques are the best alternatives for diagnosing post-infarction intramyocardial haemorrhage. • Mapping techniques are valuable tools for imaging intramyocardial haemorrhage.

The atherosclerosis burden score.

Purpose: We carried out this study to evaluate the predictive value of atherosclerosis burden score (ABS) to predict coronary artery disease (CAD) among asymptomatic patients without known cardiovascular disease (CVD), as compared to other imaging or functional techniques, namely coronary artery calcium (CAC) score, carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT), and ankle brachial index (ABI). Patients and methods: This prospective study included 198 asymptomatic consecutive patients referred for evaluation of their cardiovascular (CV) risk and for therapeutic advice. Traditional CV risk factors, ABS, CAC score, C-IMT, ABI and an ECG-synchronized coronary CT-angiography (CCTA) were performed for each patient. We compared the predictive values of these atherosclerosis markers to detect CAD defined as coronary stenosis ≥30% objectivated by CCTA. Results: Among the whole sample, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) was significantly higher for CAC score (0.81, p=0.015) than for ABS, the reference (0.70) but these values were lower for C-IMT (0.60, p=0.16) and particularly for ABI (0.56, p=0.0015). However, among patients at intermediate risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to Framingham risk score (FRS), the differences between the ROC-AUC values for ABS (0.70) and CAC score (0.76, p=0.36) were less pronounced. Again, as compared to ABS, the ROC-AUC values were lower for C-IMT (0.60, p=0.21) and ABI (0.57, p=0.06). Conclusions: ABS, an ultrasonographic score based on the assessment of carotid and femoral plaque burden, predicts more accurately CAD than other non-radiation tools analyzed here, and has a similar performance to CAC in patients at intermediate CHD risk. Thus, ABS could be an appropriate non-invasive and safe method to improve the detection of high-risk patients who will benefit from a more intensive therapy for the primary prevention of CVD.

[Cardiology]. / Cardiologie.

In 2020, new guidelines have been published by the European Society of Cardiology including those on non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, atrial fibrillation and adult congenital heart disease. Regarding interventional cardiology, POPular TAVI opens the possibility of anti-platelet monotherapy after transcutaneous aortic valve replacement. EMPEROR-Reduced confirms the importance of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Within the field of imaging, stress MRI has now become the first-line technique for the screening of coronary artery disease, demonstrating an excellent cost-benefit ratio. Finally, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors do not appear to increase the risk of an infection by COVID-19.

L'année 2020 a été marquée par la publication de nouvelles guidelines de la Société européenne de cardiologie dont le syndrome coronarien aigu sans élévation du segment ST, la fibrillation auriculaire et les cardiopathies congénitales à l'âge adulte. En interventionnel, POPular TAVI permet d'envisager la monothérapie antithrombotique après remplacement de la valve aortique par voie transcutanée. EMPEROR-Reduced confirme l'importance des inhibiteurs du cotransporteur sodium-glucose de type 2 dans le traitement de l'insuffisance cardiaque à fraction d'éjection réduite. En imagerie, l'IRM de stress s'impose comme examen de choix pour le dépistage de la maladie coronarienne avec un rapport coût-bénéfice favorable. Enfin, les inhibiteurs du système rénine-angiotensine-aldostérone ne semblent pas augmenter le risque d'une infection au Covid-19.

Biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents versus durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (BIOSTEMI): a single-blind, prospective, randomised superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Newer-generation drug-eluting stents that combine ultrathin strut metallic platforms with biodegradable polymers might facilitate vascular healing and improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with contemporary thin strut second-generation drug-eluting stents. We did a randomised clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrathin strut biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents versus thin strut durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI. METHODS: The BIOSTEMI trial was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, prospective, single-blind, randomised superiority trial at ten hospitals in Switzerland. Patients aged 18 years or older with acute STEMI who were referred for primary PCI were eligible to participate. Patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to either biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents or durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents. Central randomisation was done based on a computer-generated allocation sequence with variable block sizes of 2, 4, and 6, which was stratified by centre, diabetes status, and presence or absence of multivessel coronary artery disease, and concealed using a secure web-based system. Patients and treating physicians were aware of group allocations, whereas outcome assessors were masked to the allocated stent. The experimental stent (Orsiro; Biotronik; Bülach, Switzerland) consisted of an ultrathin strut cobalt-chromium metallic stent platform releasing sirolimus from a biodegradable polymer. The control stent (Xience Xpedition/Alpine; Abbott Vascular, Abbott Park, IL, USA) consisted of a thin strut cobalt-chromium stent platform that releases everolimus from a durable polymer. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure, a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial reinfarction (Q-wave and non-Q-wave), and clinically-indicated target lesion revascularisation, within 12 months of the index procedure. All analyses were done with the individual participant as the unit of analysis and according to the intention-to-treat principle. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02579031. FINDINGS: Between April 26, 2016, and March 9, 2018, we randomly assigned 1300 patients (1623 lesions) with acute myocardial infarction to treatment with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents (649 patients and 816 lesions) or durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (651 patients and 806 lesions). At 12 months, follow-up data were available for 614 (95%) patients treated with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents and 626 (96%) patients treated with durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents. The primary composite endpoint of target lesion failure occurred in 25 (4%) of 649 patients treated with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents and 36 (6%) of 651 patients treated with durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (difference -1·6 percentage points; rate ratio 0·59, 95% Bayesian credibility interval 0·37-0·94; posterior probability of superiority 0·986). Cardiac death, target vessel myocardial reinfarction, clinically-indicated target lesion revascularisation, and definite stent thrombosis were similar between the two treatment groups in the 12 months of follow-up. INTERPRETATION: In patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI, biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents were superior to durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents with respect to target lesion failure at 1 year. This difference was driven by reduced ischaemia-driven target lesion revascularisation in patients treated with biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stents compared with durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents. FUNDING: Biotronik.

Interatrial septum dissection and atrial wall hematoma following transseptal puncture: A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Interatrial septum (IAS) dissection due to transseptal puncture (TSP) is a rare, underreported complication of the procedure. Data on the mechanism, diagnosis, and management of this complication are lacking. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of all reported cases of IAS dissection with or without associated LA hematoma due to TSP, by thoroughly searching MEDLINE and EMBASE through May 2019. RESULTS: After screening of n = 882 studies, eight studies with a total of 19 patients addressed the complication of IAS dissection and/or LA hematoma secondary to TSP. Median age was 63 years with a 1:1 male to female ratio. Ablation of atrial fibrillation was the most frequently reported procedure (84%). Diagnosis was established using fluoroscopy with contrast injection (58%), TEE (32%) or intracardiac echocardiography (5%). The mechanism identified involved puncture of the septum secundum portion of the IAS, leading to transient needle passage into the extracardiac space. In the majority of patients, the hematoma remained localized in the IAS and management was conservative with progressive resolution of the hematoma during follow-up (95%). Two patients (11%) required further intervention by either pericardiocentesis or surgical drainage due to hemodynamic instability. CONCLUSIONS: IAS dissection with or without hematoma after TSP remains an underdiagnosed entity. The main mechanism involves lesion to the septum secundum portion of the IAS, resulting in needle passage into the extracardiac space and local bleeding. Although conservative management may be sufficient in the majority of cases, interventional cardiologists should be familiar with this complication and its diagnosis.

Quantitative flow ratio virtual stenting and post stenting correlations to post stenting fractional flow reserve measurements from the DOCTORS (Does Optical Coherence Tomography Optimize Results of Stenting) study population.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the correlations of pre-PCI QFR analysis with virtual PCI called residual QFR and post-PCI QFR compared to post-PCI FFR. BACKGROUND: Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a computation of fractional flow reserve (FFR) based on angiography without use of a pressure wire. The ability to evaluate post-PCI FFR using pre-PCI QFR analysis with a virtual PCI and the correlation between post-PCI QFR compared to post-PCI FFR remains unknown. METHODS: From the DOCTORS (Does Optical Coherence Tomography Optimize Results of Stenting) study population, we blindly analyzed residual QFR and post-PCI QFR from angiographies and compared them to post-PCI FFR. RESULTS: Ninety-three post-PCI QFR measurements and 84 pre-PCI residual QFR measurements were compared to post-PCI FFR measurements. No significant difference were observed between mean post-PCI FFR value (0.92 ± 0.05) compared to mean residual (0.93 ± 0.05) QFR and between mean post-PCI FFR value compared to mean post-PCI QFR values were (0.93 ± 0.05) (p > .05 for both). The correlation coefficient of residual QFR with post-PCI FFR was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.53-0.78) and the correlation coefficient of post-PCI-QFR with post-PCI FFR was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.70-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Residual QFR corresponding to pre-PCI QFR analysis with virtual PCI, and post-PCI QFR analysis, correlated well with post-PCI FFR. Further studies are needed to prospectively validate a QFR-guided PCI strategy.

[Cardiology]. / Cardiologie.

In 2019, the guidelines on the new entity « chronic coronary syndrome ¼ have been published. They influence importantly the work-up and treatment of patients with stable coronary artery disease. We will also report on publications showing the benefit of percutaneous aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with aortic stenosis and low risk surgical risk. With regard to infectious endocarditis, we elucidate the importance of the vegetation's size for predicting mortality and the prognostic value of the positron emission tomography in predicting septic embolism. We highlight the spectacular results of the DAPA-HF study in patients with heart failure and review publications showing the important role of the detection of myocardial fibrosis and scar by cardiac MRI for risk stratification of sudden cardiac death.

L'année 2019 a été marquée par la publication de recommandations sur une nouvelle entité, appelée « syndrome coronarien chronique ¼, qui modifient de manière importante la prise en charge et le traitement des patients avec une maladie coronarienne stable. On relève plusieurs publications démontrant, chez les patients ayant une sténose aortique, et étant à bas risque chirurgical, le bénéfice d'un traitement percutané par rapport à un traitement chirurgical. La prise en charge de l'endocardite a été challengée par deux publications montrant que la taille de la végétation est un facteur de risque de mortalité et la valeur pronostique de la tomographie par émission de positons dans la survenue d'emboles septiques. Nous discutons les résultats spectaculaires de l'étude DAPA-HF dans le domaine d'insuffisance cardiaque et plusieurs études montrant l'intérêt de la recherche de cicatrice myocardique à l'IRM cardiaque dans la stratification du risque de mort subite.

Total Endovascular Repair of Post-Trauma Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm and Secondary Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Clavicular fracture or sternoclavicular luxation is observed in 10% of all polytrauma patients and is frequently associated with concomitant intrathoracic life-threatening injuries. Posterior sternoclavicular luxation is well known to induce underlying great vessels damage. The gold standard treatment usually is a combined orthopedic and cardiovascular surgical procedure associating vascular repair, clavicular open reduction, and internal fixation. METHODS: A 59-year-old wheelchair ridden, institutionalized woman, known for psychiatric disorder, severe scoliosis, malnutrition, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted in our hospital for chronic chest pain 3 months after a stairway wheelchair downfall. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a voluminous ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm (63 × 58 mm, orifice 5 mm) consecutive to perforation following posterior sternoclavicular luxation. The patient refused all therapies and was lost to follow-up. Six months later, she was readmitted for a symptomatic superior vena cava syndrome. Thoracic CT scan revealed pseudoaneurysm growth with innominate vein thrombosis and superior vena cava subocclusion. Pseudoaneurysm orifice was stable. In the presence of symptoms with massive facial edema and inability to open her eyelids, the patient accepted an endovascular treatment. RESULTS: The procedure was performed under general anesthesia using both fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. Through a femoral arterial access, a 10-mm atrial septal defect occluder device was used to seal successfully the pseudoaneurysm orifice. The superior vena cava was then opened with a 26-mm nitinol high radial force stent through a femoral venous access. Postoperative course was uneventful. At 3-month follow-up, the patient remains symptom free and a CT scan confirmed pseudoaneurysm thrombosis and superior vena cava permeability. CONCLUSION: Post-traumatic sternoclavicular posterior luxation is a cause of great vessels and ascending aorta injuries. Minimally invasive endovascular approaches can be considered to treat vascular injuries and their consequences, especially in elderly patients and those at high risk for surgery.

[The year in cardiology : 2018]. / Cardiologie.

This review article provides a broad overview of the novelties in cardiology in 2018. Advances in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular prevention, heart failure, electrophysiology and non-invasive cardiovascular imaging have provided important new insights in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of ischemic and valvular heart disease, heart failure, rhythm disorders and cardiomyopathies. This article provides an overview of the most relevant articles published in 2018.

L'année 2018 a été riche en nouveautés dans les domaines de la cardiologie interventionnelle, de l'insuffisance cardiaque, de l'électrophysiologie et de l'imagerie cardiaque. Les progrès dans ces domaines respectifs ont fourni de nouveaux outils pour le diagnostic et le traitement des cardiopathies ischémiques et valvulaires, de l'insuffisance cardiaque à fraction d'éjection réduite ou préservée, des troubles du rythme et des cardiomyopathies. Cet article fournit un aperçu des articles les plus pertinents publiés en 2018.

Relationship between CMR-derived parameters of ischemia/reperfusion injury and the timing of CMR after reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the influence of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) timing after reperfusion on CMR-derived parameters of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: The study included 163 reperfused STEMI patients undergoing CMR during the index hospitalization. Patients were divided according to the time between revascularization and CMR (Trevasc-CMR: Tertile-1 ≤ 43; 43 < Tertile-2 ≤ 93; Tertile-3 > 93 h). T2-mapping derived area-at-risk (AAR) and intramyocardial-hemorrhage (IMH), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)-derived infarct size (IS) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) were quantified. T1-mapping was performed before and > 15 min after Gd-based contrast-agent administration yielding extracellular volume (ECV) of infarct. RESULTS: Main factors influencing I/R injury were homogenously balanced across Trevasc-CMR tertiles. T2 values of infarct and remote regions increased with increasing Trevasc-CMR tertiles (infarct: 60.0 ± 4.9 vs 63.5 ± 5.6 vs 64.8 ± 7.5 ms; P < 0.001; remote: 44.3 ± 2.8 vs 46.1 ± 2.8 vs ± 46.1 ± 3.0; P = 0.001). However, T2 value of infarct largely and significantly exceeded that of remote myocardium in each tertile yielding comparable T2-mapping-derived AAR extent throughout Trevasc-CMR tertiles (17 ± 9% vs 19 ± 9% vs 18 ± 8% of LV, respectively, P = 0.385). Similarly, T2-mapping-based IMH detection and quantification were independent of Trevasc-CMR. LGE-derived IS and MVO were not influenced by Trevasc-CMR (IS: 12 ± 9% vs 12 ± 9% vs 14 ± 9% of LV, respectively, P = 0.646). In 68 patients without MVO, T1-mapping based ECV of infarct region was comparable across Trevasc-CMR tertiles (P = 0.470). CONCLUSION: In STEMI patients, T2 values of infarct and remote myocardium increase with increasing CMR time after revascularization. However, these changes do not give rise to substantial variation of T2-mapping-derived AAR size nor of other CMR-based parameters of I/R. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN03522116 . Registered 30.4.2018 (retrospectively registered).

[TAVI in 2018 : new indications and open questions]. / TAVI en 2018 : nouvelles indications et questions ouvertes.

The last years, various large randomized studies have demonstrated the benefit of TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) over medical therapy or over conventional surgical treatment in inoperable or very high risk patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. More recently, new data has also shown that among patients at intermediate risk, TAVI is at least as beneficial as surgical valve replacement. In this article, we will focus on the new recommendations of the European society of cardiology but also on issues that remain open.

Ces dernières années, différentes grandes études randomisées ont démontré le bénéfice du TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) par rapport au traitement médicamenteux ou au traitement chirurgical conventionnel chez les patients avec sténose aortique sévère symptomatique inopérables ou à très haut risque. Plus récemment, de nouvelles données ont également démontré que parmi les patients à risque intermédiaire, le TAVI est au moins aussi bénéfique que le remplacement valvulaire chirurgical. Dans le présent article, nous allons nous intéresser aux nouvelles recommandations de la Société européenne de cardiologie mais également aux questions qui demeurent ouvertes.

Safety and performance of the second-generation drug-eluting absorbable metal scaffold in patients with de-novo coronary artery lesions (BIOSOLVE-II): 6 month results of a prospective, multicentre, non-randomised, first-in-man trial.

BACKGROUND: Absorbable scaffolds were designed to overcome the limitations of conventional, non-absorbable metal-based drug-eluting stents. So far, only polymeric absorbable scaffolds are commercially available. We aimed to assess the safety and performance of a novel second-generation drug-eluting absorbable metal scaffold (DREAMS 2G) in patients with de-novo coronary artery lesions. METHODS: We did this prospective, multicentre, non-randomised, first-in-man trial at 13 percutaneous coronary intervention centres in Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Eligible patients had stable or unstable angina or documented silent ischaemia, and a maximum of two de-novo lesions with a reference vessel diameter between 2·2 mm and 3·7 mm. Clinical follow-up was scheduled at months 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36. Patients were scheduled for angiographic follow-up at 6 months, and a subgroup of patients was scheduled for intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, and vasomotion assessment. All patients were recommended to take dual antiplatelet treatment for at least 6 months. The primary endpoint was in-segment late lumen loss at 6 months. We did analysis by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01960504. FINDINGS: Between Oct 8, 2013, and May 22, 2015, we enrolled 123 patients with 123 coronary target lesions. At 6 months, mean in-segment late lumen loss was 0·27 mm (SD 0·37), and angiographically discernable vasomotion was documented in 20 (80%) of 25 patients. Intravascular ultrasound assessments showed a preservation of the scaffold area (mean 6·24 mm(2) [SD 1·15] post-procedure vs 6·21 mm(2) [1·22] at 6 months) with a low mean neointimal area (0·08 mm(2) [0·09]), and optical coherence tomography did not detect any intraluminal mass. Target lesion failure occurred in four (3%) patients: one (<1%) patient died from cardiac death, one (<1%) patient had periprocedural myocardial infarction, and two (2%) patients needed clinically driven target lesion revascularisation. No definite or probable scaffold thrombosis was observed. INTERPRETATION: Our findings show that implantation of the DREAMS 2G device in de-novo coronary lesions is feasible, with favourable safety and performance outcomes at 6 months. This novel absorbable metal scaffold could be an alternative to absorbable polymeric scaffolds for treatment of obstructive coronary disease. FUNDING: Biotronik AG.

Sustained safety and performance of the second-generation drug-eluting absorbable metal scaffold in patients with de novo coronary lesions: 12-month clinical results and angiographic findings of the BIOSOLVE-II first-in-man trial.

AIMS: Metal absorbable scaffolds constitute a conceptually attractive alternative to polymeric scaffolds. Promising 6-month outcomes of a second-generation drug-eluting absorbable metal scaffold (DREAMS 2G), consisting of an absorbable magnesium scaffold backbone, have been reported. We assessed the 12-month safety and performance of this novel device. METHODS AND RESULTS: The prospective, international, multi-centre, first-in-man BIOSOLVE-II trial enrolled 123 patients with up to two de novo lesions with a reference diameter between 2.2 and 3.7 mm. All patients were scheduled for angiographic follow-up at 6 months, and-if subjects consented-at 12 months. Dual antiplatelet therapy was recommended for 6 months. Quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) parameters remained stable from 6 to 12 months [paired data of 42 patients: in-segment late lumen loss 0.20 ± 0.21 mm vs. 0.25 ± 0.22 mm, P = 0.117, Δ 0.05 ± 0.21 mm (95% CI: -0.01;0.12); in-scaffold late lumen loss 0.37 ± 0.25 mm vs. 0.39 ± 0.27 mm, P = 0.446, Δ 0.03 ± 0.22 (95% CI: -0.04;0.10), respectively]. Intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography findings corroborated the QCA results. Target lesion failure occurred in four patients (3.4%), consisting of one death of unknown cause, one target-vessel myocardial infarction, and two clinically driven target lesion revascularization. No additional event occurred beyond the 6-month follow-up. During the entire follow-up of 12 months, none of the patients experienced a definite or probable scaffold thrombosis. CONCLUSION: The novel drug-eluting metal absorbable scaffold DREAMS 2G showed a continuous favourable safety profile up to 12 months and stable angiographic parameters between 6 and 12 months. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01960504.