High sensitive C-reactive protein and the risk of acute kidney injury among ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous intervention.

BACKGROUND: Elevated periprocedural high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was shown to be associated with an increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) in non-myocardial infarction (MI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), however, no information to date is present regarding its predicting role for AKI in MI patients. We evaluated whether admission serum hs-CRP levels may predict risk of AKI among ST elevation MI (STEMI) patients undergoing primary PCI. METHODS: Five hundred and sixty-two patients that were admitted with STEMI and treated with primary PCI were included in the study. Serum hs-CRP levels were determined from blood samples taken prior to PCI. Patients' medical records were reviewed for occurrence of AKI, in-hospital complications and 30 days mortality. RESULTS: Mean age was 62 ± 16 and 455 (80 %) were males. Patients were divided into two groups, according to their admission hs-CRP values: group 1: hs-CRP ≤9 mg/l (n = 394) and group 2: hs-CRP >9 mg/l (n = 168). Patients with hs-CRP >9 mg/l had significantly higher rate of AKI following PCI (17 vs. 6 %; p < 0.001), more in-hospital complications and higher30 -day mortality rate (11 vs. 1 %; p = 0.02). In a multivariable logistic regression model admission hs-CRP level >9 mg/l was an independent predictor for AKI (OR 2.7, 95 % CI: 1.39-5.29; p = 0.001) and a strong trend for 30 day mortality (OR 4.27, 95 % CI: 0.875-21.10; p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Admission serum hs-CRP level >9 mg/l is an independent predictor for AKI following primary PCI in STEMI patients.

High Degree Atrioventricular Block Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Incidence, Predictors and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: In the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), information on the incidence and prognostic significance of high degree atrioventricular block (AVB) in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients is limited. OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence, time of onset, predictors and prognostic significance of high degree AVB in a large cohort of consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PPCI. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 1244 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing PPCI. Patient records were reviewed for the presence of high degree AVB, its time of occurrence and relation to in-hospital complications, as well as long-term mortality over a 5 year period. RESULTS: High degree AVB was present in 33 patients (3.0%), in 25 (76%) of whom the conduction disorder occurred prior to PPCI. Twelve patients (36%) required temporary pacing, all prior to or during coronary intervention, and all AVB resolved spontaneously before hospital discharge. AVB was associated with a significantly higher 30 day (15% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.001) and long-term mortality rate (30% vs. 6.0%, P < 0.001). Time of AVB had no effect on mortality. In a multivariate regression model, AVB emerged as an independent predictor for long-term mortality (hazard ratio 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.20-6.44, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High degree AVB remains a significant prognostic marker in STEMI patients in the PPCI era, albeit transient.

Expediting Time from Symptoms to Medical Contact Utilizing a Telemedicine Call Center.

BACKGROUND: No definitive solution has been forthcoming for the often dangerously long interval between symptom onset and seeking medical care in the prehospital setting. We examined the implementation of telemedicine technology and characterization of its utilizers for its efficacy in reducing this possibly life-threatening time lag. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was performed on the working database of an operational telemedicine facility that included all subscribers. Time-to-contact measurements throughout 2012 were retrieved from its medical files, and data on age, gender, medical history, and main complaint were analyzed. RESULTS: Throughout 2012, 22,274 of a total of 46,556 calls (47.8%) were made ≤60 min from symptom onset. It is important that 26.9% of all calls (12,522/46,556) were made in <15 min. Significantly more males (10,794/22,229 [49%]) contacted in ≤60 min compared with females (11,480/24,327 [47%], p<0.03). Subjects <60 years of age (2,889/5,717 [51%]) called earlier than those >60 years (19,386/40,839 [47%], p<0.001). Patients with prior resuscitation and/or myocardial infarction contacted significantly more rapidly than those with other cardiac diseases. Over one-half of patients with cardiac complaints contacted the call center ≤60 min from symptom onset, as did those who suffered physical trauma, but not patients with gastrointestinal symptoms or pain elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS: A telemedicine system with rapid accessibility to a professional call center and prompt triage thereafter could be an additional promising strategy for shortening the interval between symptom onset and call for medical assistance. Implementation of a widespread telemedicine infrastructure may bridge the unmet gap between occurrence of symptoms to initiation of medical treatment.

Self-rated health is associated with elevated C-reactive protein even among apparently healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: A single self-rated health (SRH) assessment is associated with clinical outcome and mortality, but the biological process linking SRH with immune status remains incompletely understood. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between SRH and inflammation in apparently healthy individuals. METHODS: Our analysis included 13,773 apparently healthy individuals attending the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center for periodic health examinations. Estimated marginal means of the inflammation-sensitive biomarkers [i.e., highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fibrinogen] for the different SRH groups were calculated and adjusted for multiple potential confounders including risk factors, health behavior, socioeconomic status, and coexistent depression. RESULTS: The group with the lowest SRH had a significantly higher atherothrombotic profile and significantly higher conentrations of all inflammation-sensitive biomarkers in both genders. Hs-CRP was found to differ significantly between SRH groups in both genders even after gradual adjustments for all potential confounders. Fibrinogen differs significantly according to SRH in males only, with low absolute value differences. CONCLUSIONS: A valid association exists for apparently healthy individuals of both genders between inflammation-sensitive biomarker levels and SRH categories, especially when comparing levels of hs-CRP. Our findings underscore the importance of assessing SRH and treating it like other markers of poor health.

Prevalence and predictors of carotid artery stenosis in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyze the prevalence and predictors of Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). BACKGROUND: CAS is associated with the risk of periprocedural stroke in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, little is known about the prevalence of and clinical significance of CAS in the setting of TAVI. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing a carotid Doppler study the day before TAVI were followed prospectively. CAS was defined in accordance with current practice guidelines. Logistic regression models were used to identify independent correlates of CAS. RESULTS: The study included 171 patients (age 82 ± 6, male gender 47%). Carotid atherosclerosis (CA, defined as any carotid plaque) was present in 164 (96%) of patients, and CAS (peak systolic velocity [PSV] ≥ 125 cm/sec; ≥50% diameter stenosis) in 57 (33%) patients. Severe CAS (PSV ≥ 230 cm/sec; ≥70% stenosis, or near occlusion) was found in 15 (9%) patients. By multivariate analysis, smoking and a higher Euroscore independently predicted the presence of CAS. Patients in the present TAVI cohort had a significantly higher prevalence of both unilateral and bilateral CAS ≥ 50% than those in a previously reported cohort (n = 494 patients, age ≥ 70) undergoing clinically driven coronary angiography (33% vs. 20%, OR = 1.9, P = 0.001; and, 13% vs. 6%, OR = 2.3, P = 0.003, respectively). CAS was not independently associated with 30-day mortality or stroke rates. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAS in patients undergoing TAVI is high, exceeding that observed in patients undergoing catheterization for coronary indications. The impact of CAS on clinical outcomes following TAVI merits further research.

Is telemedicine an answer to reducing 30-day readmission rates post-acute myocardial infarction?

BACKGROUND: Patients hospitalized for an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at risk for early readmission. Readmission rates in the community reportedly reach approximately 20%, and 30-day readmission rates have become a quality-of-care marker. Telemedicine is one strategy for improving clinical outcomes by offering real-time biometrics tracking and rapid intervention. We retrospectively assessed the 30-day readmission rate of post-AMI members of a telemedicine system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All "SHL"-Telemedicine subscribers who sustained an AMI and those who became subscribers within 10 days from discharge post-AMI between 2009 and 2012 were assessed. Their files were reviewed for demographics, coronary risk factors, reasons for readmission, and discharge diagnoses. RESULTS: In total, 897 suitable patients (mean age, 62±14 years; 81% males) were included. They had made 3,318 calls to the monitor center for consultation. A mobile intensive care unit was dispatched for 158 patients, 64 were transported to the hospital, and 52 (5.8%) were readmitted (10 patients were readmitted twice). Thirty-five readmissions were for noncardiac reasons. Twelve patients had acute coronary syndrome (11 were revascularized). Readmission rates were higher in patients with repeat AMIs (11.9% versus 5.3% among those with no AMI history) and in females (9.6% versus 4.9% among males). Unlike published figures for the general population, there were no significant differences between readmitted and non-readmitted patients regarding diabetes, hypertension, or congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine technology shows considerable promise for reducing 30-day readmission rates of post-AMI patients.

Norton scale, hospitalization length, complications, and mortality in elderly patients admitted to internal medicine departments.

BACKGROUND: The Norton scale is used for assessing pressure ulcer risk. The association between admission Norton scale scores (ANSS), hospitalization length, complications, and mortality in elderly patients admitted to internal medicine departments has never been studied. OBJECTIVE: To determine if ANSS are associated with hospitalization length, complications, in-hospital mortality, and 1-year mortality in elderly patients admitted to an internal medicine department. METHODS: Medical charts of consecutive elderly (≥65 years) patients admitted to a single internal medicine department between January and March 2009 were studied for ANSS, demographics, comorbidities, hospitalization length, complications during hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and 1-year mortality. Complications during hospitalization included acute coronary syndrome, major arrhythmias, major bleeding, stroke, systemic infections, organ failure, thromboembolism, etc. ANSS ≤14 were considered low. RESULTS: The final cohort included 259 elderly patients: 54.4% were women, the mean age was 81.6 years, and the mean hospitalization length was 3.7 days. Overall, 7.3% of the patients had complications other than pressure ulcers, 3.9% died during hospitalization, and 28.6% died within 1 year. The mean ANSS was 15.4, and 37.8% of the patients had low ANSS. Patients with low ANSS had longer hospitalization (4.7 vs. 2.9 days; p = 0.002), a higher incidence of complications during hospitalization (odds ratio: 3.9; p = 0.006), and higher rates of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio: 7.0; p = 0.007) relative to patients with high ANSS. Regression analysis showed that ANSS were independently negatively associated with hospitalization length, complications during hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality (p < 0.0001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.018, respectively) regardless of age, gender, comorbidities, and pressure ulcer appearance. Rates of 1-year mortality were similar in patients with low and high ANSS. CONCLUSIONS: The Norton scale may be used for predicting hospitalization length, complications during hospitalization other than pressure ulcers, and in-hospital mortality in elderly patients admitted to an internal medicine department.

Is long-term beta-blocker therapy for myocardial infarction survivors still relevant in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention?

Studies on trials conducted before the use of thrombolysis demonstrated both short- and long-term benefits of beta-blockers, and one meta-analysis of those trials showed a 25% reduction in 1 year mortality. Treatment with beta-blockers was and continues to be recommended for patients after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but many patients failed to receive these agents mostly because physicians were unconvinced of their benefit. A similar analysis of the studies in STEMI patients treated with thrombolysis also showed an overall 23% reduction in mortality associated with beta-blocker use in the era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In the present review, we examine the relationship between the pharmacology of beta-blockers and their potential utility in order to review early trials on their post-infarct efficacy and to place these findings in the context of this specific patient population in the era of primary PCI.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a single-center experience of 300 cases.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has recently become an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in selected patients with high operative risk. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the 30 day clinical outcome of the first 300 consecutive patients treated with transfemoral TAVI at the Tel Aviv Medical Center. METHODS: The CoreValve was used in 250 patients and the Edwards-Sapien valve in 50. The mean age of the patients was 83 +/- 5.3 years (range 63-98 years) and the mean valve area 0.69 +/- 0.18 cm2 (range 0.3-0.9 cm2); 62% were women. RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 100%, and 30 day follow-up was done in all the patients. The average Euro-score for the cohort was 26 +/- 13 (range 1.5-67). Total in-hospital mortality and 30 day mortality were both 2.3% (7 patients). Sixty-seven patients (22%) underwent permanent pacemaker implantation after the TAVI procedure, mostly due to new onset of left bundle brunch block and prolonged PR interval or to high degree atrioventricular block. The rate of stroke was 1.7% (5 patients). Forty-one patients (13.7%) had vascular complications, of whom 9 (3%) were defined as major vascular complications (according to the VARC definition). CONCLUSIONS: The 30 day clinical outcome in the first 300 consecutive TAVI patients in our center was favorable, with a mortality rate of 2.3% and low rates of stroke (1.7%) and major vascular complications (3%).

Vitamin D deficiency prevalence and cardiovascular risk in Israel.

BACKGROUND: Accumulated data in the past years suggest that vitamin D deficiency has an adverse effect on cardiovascular (CVD) health and that its prevalence is significantly higher among patients with CVD risk factors, contributing to the pathogenesis of CVD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analysis of a relatively large database derived from a health care maintenance organization. The population consisted of individuals 18 years and older who had undergone blood tests for vitamin D levels for any reason during 2001-2008. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 34,874 individuals: 26,699 (76·6%) were women at a mean ± SD age of 55 ± 15 and 8175 men (23·4%) aged 55 ± 17. The mean ± SD vitamin D level was 23·2 ± 10·1 and 22·7 ± 9·9 for men and women, respectively. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (vitamin D levels < 30 ng mL(-1)) for the entire study population was surprisingly high for men and women (79·2% and 77·5%, respectively). This remained consistent with only little variation when stratified by age. The group with vitamin D < 15 ng mL(-1) vs. the group with vitamin D levels ≥ 30 ng mL(-1) demonstrated a significant (P < 0·031) age-adjusted odds ratios for the presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, obesity and peripheral vascular disease for women (OR = 1·19; 1·65; 1·13; 2·28; 1·85, respectively), and the presence of all the above except hypertension in men (OR = 1·51; 1·28; 2·06; 1·73, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with CVD and other risk factors in this Israeli study population. The prevalence of the deficiency in Israel is similar to the prevalence found in less sunny regions.

Norton scale for predicting prognosis in elderly patients undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve implantation: A historical prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The Norton scale is traditionally used to assess the risk of pressure ulcers. However, recent studies have shown its prognostic utilization in elderly patients with diverse medical conditions. The association between low admission Norton scale scores (ANSS), complications, and mortality in elderly patients following trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has never been studied. We aimed to determine if low ANSS (≤16) is associated with complications and 30-day and 1-year mortality in elderly patients undergoing TAVI. METHODS: The medical charts of elderly (≥70 years) TAVI patients at the Tel-Aviv Medical Center, a tertiary medical center, were studied for the following measurements: ANSS, demographics, co-morbidities, complications during hospitalization, and 30-day and 1-year mortality. Complications included: an atrio-ventricular block, stroke, and vascular complications. RESULTS: The cohort included 302 elderly patients: 179 (59.3%) were women; the mean age was 83.3±5.1 years. Following TAVI, 112 (37.1%) patients had complications other than pressure ulcers, 10 (3.3%) patients died within 30 days, and 42 (13.9%) patients died within one year. Overall, 36 (11.9%) patients had low ANSS. 1-year mortality rates were almost three times higher in patients with low ANSS relative to patients with high ANSS (27.8% vs. 12.0%; the relative risk 1.1; p=0.018). A stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that ANSS was independently inversely associated with 1-year mortality (p=0.018). Complications and 30-day mortality rates were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low ANSS are associated with 1-year mortality after TAVI. The Norton scale may therefore be used as an additional tool for elderly patient selection before TAVI.

Admission Glucose Levels and the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in Nondiabetic ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia upon admission is associated with an increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the relation of this association to the absence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is less studied. We evaluated the effect of acute hyperglycemia levels on the risk of AKI among STEMI patients without DM who were all treated with primary PCI. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 1,065 nondiabetic STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. Patients were stratified according to admission glucose levels into normal (<140 mg/dl), mild (140-200 mg/dl), and severe (>200 mg/dl) hyperglycemia groups. Medical records were reviewed for the occurrence of AKI. RESULTS: The mean age was 61 ± 13 years and 81% were males. Hyperglycemia upon hospital admission was present in 402 of 1,065 patients (38%). Patients with severe admission hyperglycemia had a significantly higher rate of AKI compared to patients with no or mild hyperglycemia (20 vs. 7 and 8%, respectively; p = 0.001) and had a significantly greater serum creatinine change throughout hospitalization (0.17 vs. 0.09 and 0.07 mg/dl, respectively; p = 0.04). In multivariate logistic regression, severe hyperglycemia emerged as an independent predictor of AKI (OR = 2.46, 95% CI 1.16-5.28; p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Severe admission hyperglycemia is an independent risk factor for the development of AKI among nondiabetic STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.

Acute Cardio-Renal Syndrome as a Cause for Renal Deterioration Among Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated With Primary Percutaneous Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Early hemodynamic impairment frequently complicates myocardial injury, however, limited data are present regarding its direct association with acute kidney injury (AKI) after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients who undergo primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated the effect of acute hemodynamic derangement on the risk of AKI among STEMI patients who undergo primary PCI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 1656 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of STEMI between January 2008 and December 2014, and treated with primary PCI. Medical records were reviewed for the presence of various clinical parameters of hemodynamic derangement and for the occurrence of AKI. RESULTS: Mean age was 61 ± 13 and 1329 (80%) were men. AKI occurred in 168 patients (10%). Patients with AKI were older, of female sex, with more comorbidities, had longer time to reperfusion, and were more likely to have hemodynamic impairment including critical state, congestive heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, and worse left ventricular function (P < 0.001 for all). In a multivariate logistic regression model critical state (odds ratio [OR], 3.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-7.8; P = 0.006), reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99; P = 0.03), congestive heart failure (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.02-5.39; P = 0.04), and a trend for time to coronary reperfusion (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.01; P = 0.07) emerged as independent predictors of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Among STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI AKI should not be assumed to be solely contrast-induced nephropathy and acute hemodynamic abnormalities should be considered.

Association of admission hemoglobin levels and acute kidney injury among myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous intervention.

BACKGROUND: Anemia on admission is associated with an increased risk for contrast-induced nephropathy, however, its association with acute kidney injury (AKI) after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) has not been studied. Our aim was to evaluate whether admission hemoglobin levels might increase the risk of AKI among STEMI patients who undergo PPCI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 1248 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of STEMI between January 2008 and January 2014, and treated with PPCI. Patient medical records were reviewed for admission hemoglobin levels and for the occurrence of AKI. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 61 ± 13 years and 1009 (81%) were male. AKI occurred in 115 patients (9.2%). Patients with AKI were more likely to be older, female, with more comorbidities, had longer symptom duration, and more likely to be in a critical state. Patients with AKI had significantly lower admission hemoglobin levels (13.6 ± 1.7 g/dL vs 14.4 ± 1.5 g/dL; P < 0.001) and were more likely to be anemic (27% vs 12%; P < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression model, a lower admission hemoglobin level (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.98; P = 0.04) and the presence of anemia on admission (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.02; P = 0.04) emerged as independent predictors of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: Among STEMI patients who underwent PPCI, a lower admission level of hemoglobin and anemia (hemoglobin < 12 in women or < 13 in men) were independent predictors of AKI. Precautions to prevent AKI should be particularly considered in anemic patients.

Association of left ventricular function and acute kidney injury among ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients treated by primary percutaneous intervention.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and it is associated with poor long-term clinical outcomes. No studies have yet evaluated the association between cardiac function and the risk of AKI in this patient population. We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive 386 patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI and had a full echocardiography study performed within 72 hours of hospital admission from June 2011 to December 2013. AKI was defined as an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dl in serum creatinine within 48 hours after admission. Thirty-four patients (9.7%) developed AKI. Echocardiography demonstrated that patients with AKI had significantly lower systolic ejection fraction (EF; 48% ± 8% vs 41% ± 10%, p <0.001), lower septal (p = 0.001) and lateral (p = 0.01) e' velocities, higher average E/e' ratio (p = 0.006), elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (p <0.001), and higher right atrial pressure (p = 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, left ventricular EF emerged as an independent predictor of AKI (odds ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 0.86 to 0.96; p = 0.001) for every 1% reduction in EF. In conclusion, among patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, left ventricular EF is a strong and independent predictor of AKI.

Anemia and inflammation have an additive value in risk stratification of patients undergoing coronary interventions.

AIMS: Anemia and inflammation are both associated with unfavorable outcomes in patients with ischemic heart disease and might be pathophysiologically linked. We aimed to analyze the additive value of anemia and inflammation on the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: Cox regression models were fitted for hemoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) cut-offs and performed separately for myocardial infarction (MI) and angina pectoris patients undergoing catheterization at a tertiary hospital between 2006 and 2011. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were defined as all-cause mortality, MI and stroke. RESULTS: Included were 1976 patients (825 with angina pectoris and 1151 with MI). The median follow-up in the MI and the angina pectoris groups was 14 and 13 months, respectively (maximal follow-up of 4 years). In the MI group, the risk of MACE during follow-up was increased with the presence of either anemia (hazard ratio 2.1, P = 0.07) or of elevated CRP (hazard ratio 1.9, P = 0.04), whereas the presence of both increased the risk even further (hazard ratio 3.4, P < 0.01). In the angina pectoris group, the risk of MACE was increased only in patients who had both anemia and elevated CRP (hazard ratio 2.9, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Inflammation and anemia are independently and additively associated with MACE in MI patients.

Vascular complications after transcatheter aortic valve implantation and their association with mortality reevaluated by the valve academic research consortium definitions.

Vascular complications (VC) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are reported using various criteria and several access site approaches. We aimed to describe them in a solely percutaneous transfemoral TAVI approach and their association with survival using both the updated Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-2 criteria and the former VARC-1 criteria. From March 2009 to September 2013, 403 consecutive patients at a mean age (±SD) of 83 ± 6 years underwent percutaneous transfemoral TAVI. VC were defined by both VARC-1 and VARC-2 criteria and analyzed separately. Cox proportional hazard ratio models for all-cause mortality were adjusted separately as defined by each criteria. VARC-1-defined and VARC-2-defined VC occurred in 71 (18%) and 78 (19%) patients, respectively, with 15 (4%) and 33 (8%) defined as major VC. The difference in frequency of major and minor VC was mainly driven by VARC-2 implementation of major bleeding events. With either VARC definition, patients with minor VC had similar mortality and complications rates as those patients without VC. In multivariate analyses, referenced to patients with minor or no VC, only VARC-1-defined major VC were significantly associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio 3.52; confidence interval 1.5 to 8.4; p = 0.005), whereas VARC-2-defined major VC were found to be only marginally significant (hazard ratio 1.9; confidence interval 0.9 to 3.9; p = 0.08). In conclusion, the implementation of the VARC-2 criteria resulted in a higher rate of reported major VC after TAVI compared with VARC-1 criteria, mainly by the inclusion of major bleeding events and a reduced association with patient mortality.

Relation of in-hospital serum creatinine change patterns and outcomes among ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The worsening of serum creatinine (sCr) level is a frequent finding among ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. No information is present, however, regarding the incidence and prognostic implications associated with an improvement in sCr levels throughout hospitalization, as compared with admission levels. HYPOTHESIS: Reversible renal impairment prior to PCI is not associated with adverse outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 1260 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. The incidence of in-hospital complications and long-term mortality was compared between patients having stable, worsened (>0.3 mg/dL increase), or improved (>0.3 mg/dL decrease) sCr levels throughout hospitalization. RESULTS: Overall, 127 patients (10%) had worsening in sCr levels, whereas 44 (3.5%) had an improvement of sCr compared with admission levels. Patients with worsening sCR had more complications during hospitalization, higher 30-day (13% vs 1%; P < 0.001) and up to 5-year all-cause mortality (28% vs 5%; P < 0.001) compared with those with stable sCR. No significant difference was found regarding complications and mortality between patients having an improvement in sCr and stable sCr. Compared with patients with stable sCr, the adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality in patients with worsened sCr was 6.68 (95% confidence interval: 2.1-21.6, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, renal impairment prior to PCI is a frequent finding. In contrast to post-PCI sCr worsening, this entity is not associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes.

Outcomes of Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients With Previous Coronary Bypass.

Patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are considered to be at increased perioperative risk for a redo cardiac operation. In the era of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), these patients constitute a considerable portion of those with severe aortic stenosis referred for TAVI. We evaluated the impact of previous CABG on transfemoral TAVI outcomes. Patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (n = 515) who underwent transfemoral TAVI were divided according to the presence of history of CABG. Patients with previous valvular surgery were excluded (n = 12). TAVI clinical end points and adverse events were considered according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 definitions. Survival was estimated using Cox regression models at the enter mode with the dependent variable defined as all-cause mortality. Of the total 503 patients who underwent TAVI, 91 (18.1%) had previous CABG. At baseline, patients with previous CABG were younger (80.8 vs 83.1 years, p <0.001), mostly men (85% vs 35%, p <0.001), had more cardiac and vascular co-morbidities, higher mean logistic EuroSCORE (32.8 vs 22; p <0.001), lower ejection fraction (53% vs 56%, p <0.001), and lower AV gradients and larger valve area. At a mean follow-up of 636 days, the overall Valve Academic Research Consortium 2-adjudicated end points did not differ. No differences in mortality were observed at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year after TAVI (hazard ratio 1.34, p = 0.55, Cox regression). We conclude that patients with previous CABG who underwent TAVI do not have increased risk of periprocedural complications or mortality, although having distinct clinical features compared with the total TAVI population.

Target Hemoglobin May Be Achieved with Intravenous Iron Alone in Anemic Patients with Cardiorenal Syndrome: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of anemia in patients with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is based mainly on intravenous (IV) iron therapy and/or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). There are concerns about the safety of ESAs due to a potentially higher risk for stroke and malignancy. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore whether IV iron alone is sufficient to improve anemia in CRS patients and to define the predictors of treatment response. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 81 CRS patient treated for anemia at our clinic. All patients received IV iron for 6 weeks. A subset of patients was additionally given subcutaneous ESAs. The end point was the improvement from baseline in hemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin levels at week 7. RESULTS: We retrieved the files of 81 patients; 34 received IV iron alone and 47 were given IV iron and ESAs (the combination group). The Hb levels significantly increased in both groups (in the IV iron alone group: 10.6 ± 1.1 to 11.9 ±1.1 g/dl, p < 0.001; in the combination group: 10.2 ± 0.9 to 12.4 ± 1.3 g/dl, p < 0.001), but more pronouncedly in the combination group (2.17 vs. 1.24 g/dl; p = 0.001). The platelet count decreased significantly in the IV iron alone group but was unchanged in the combination group. Eighty percent of patients attained a Hb target of 11 g/dl, with no significant difference between the two groups (73.5 vs. 85.1%; p = 0.197). Low baseline Hb was the only predictor of a favorable outcome to treatment. CONCLUSION: Our observational study suggests that IV iron treatment without ESAs may substantially raise the Hb level to ≥11 g/dl in CRS patients. This treatment strategy may reduce the use of ESAs and hence its potential adverse effects.