The Association between Blood Pressure and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a common and effective treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Changes in systemic blood pressure after TAVI have been described, yet their prognostic value is not established. Thus, we aimed to examine the association of the periprocedural changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and in pulse pressure on clinical outcomes after the procedure. Methods: A retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent TAVI procedure in our medical center. We assessed the effect of the periprocedural changes in blood pressure measurements on mortality, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and hospitalizations at 1 year and on the combined outcome of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke 1 year following the procedure. Results: Our cohort included 455 patients (44% males). Of them, 343 patients (75.4%) had raised SBP immediately after the procedure. Patients with raised SBP had a significantly higher rate of the 1-year composite outcome, compared to patients who did not have a raise in SBP following the procedure (43 [13%] vs. 6 [5.4%], respectively, p = 0.033). After adjustment for age and sex, the postprocedural increase in SBP was significantly associated with the composite outcome, with a hazard ratio of 2.42, 95% CI: 1.03-5.7. Conclusion: An immediate increase in SBP after TAVI is associated with worse 1-year clinical cardiovascular outcomes.

Greenness Exposure and Mortality Risk in a Cardio-Oncologic Population.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Knowledge is lacking on the relationship between greenness and mortality in cancer survivors who experience coronary artery disease (CAD), a cardio-oncologic population. We aimed to investigate the association between residential greenness exposure and all-cause mortality in a cardio-oncologic population. METHODS: Cancer survivors undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention at the Rabin Medical Center in Israel between 2004 and 2014 were included in the study. Clinical data were collected from medical records during index hospitalization and from the Israeli National Cancer Registry. Residential greenness was estimated by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a satellite-based index derived from Landsat imagery at a 30-meter spatial resolution, with larger values indicating higher levels of vegetative density (ranging between -1 to 1). Mortality follow-up data were obtained through the end of 2021. Cox models were used to assess the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality per 1SD increase in NDVI. RESULTS: Among 1,331 patients analyzed [mean (SD) age, 75.6 (10.2) years, 373 (28%) females], the mean (SD) NDVI within a 300-meter radius was 0.12 (0.03). During a median follow-up period of 12.0 (IQR 9.2-14.7) years, 883 (66%) participants died. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, including residential socioeconomic status, air pollution, and smoking, NDVI was inversely associated with mortality hazard [HR (95% CI) = 0.93 (0.86, 0.99); p=.042]. The association was stronger among individuals with more recently (<10 years) diagnosed cancer [HR (95% CI) = 0.89 (0.81, 0.98); p=.019]. CONCLUSION: In a cohort of cardio-oncologic patients, greenness was independently associated with lower mortality.

Is 90 the new 80? Temporal trends in nonagenarians undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death in the elderly population. Data regarding percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in nonagenarians are scarce, and differences in long term outcomes between generations remain unclear. We aimed to study the pattern and temporal trends of nonagenarians treated with PCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14,695 patients underwent PCI between 2009-2020. We identified 2,034 (13.8%) octogenarians (age 80-89), and 222 (1.5%) nonagenarians (age 90-99). Endpoints included mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14,695 patients underwent PCI between 2009-2020. We identified 2,034 (13.8%) octogenarians (age 80-89), and 222 (1.5%) nonagenarians (age 90-99). Endpoints included mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year. RESULTS: The number of nonagenarians undergoing PCI has increased substantially during the study time period, from 89 patients in the earlier time period (2009-2014) to 133 patients in the later time period (2015-2020). At 1-year, nonagenarians had significantly higher rates of both death (24.3% vs. 14.9%, p<0.01), and MACE (30.6% vs. 22.0%, p<0.01), as compared to octogenarians. The cumulative survival rate was higher among octogenarians both in the early and late time period (p<0.01 and p=0.039, respectively). A significant reduction in nonagenarian MACE rates were observed during the study time period, resulting in a non-significant difference in MACE rates in the later time period between both groups. CONCLUSION: The number of nonagenarians who undergo PCI is on the rise. While their clinical outcomes are inferior as compared to younger age groups, improvement was noted in the late time period.

Outcomes of Drug-Eluting Balloons for In-Stent Restenosis: Large Cohort Analysis and Single-Center Clinical Experience.

BACKGROUND: The use of drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) remains clinically relevant in the contemporary era of drug-eluting stent percutaneous coronary interventions (DES-PCI), especially in the setting of in-stent restenosis (ISR). Our goal was to assess the outcomes of ISR patients in a large prospective registry. METHODS: A total of 2329 consecutive patients with ISR-PCI (675 using DEB and 1654 with DES) were treated in our medical centre from 2010 to 2021. Clinical end points included mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 1 year. Clinical outcomes were adjusted for multiple confounders. RESULTS: Mean ages (65.9 ± 11.0 vs 66.1 ± 10.5; P = 0.73) and percentages of female patients (16.6% vs 18.2%; P = 0.353) were similar between both ISR groups. Patients treated with DEB for ISR suffered more from diabetes, hypertension, and previous myocardial infarction (P < 0.01 for all) and presented more frequently with acute coronary syndrome (40.0% vs 34.4%; P = 0.01) compared with patients treated with DES for ISR. One-year MACE was significantly higher in the DEB ISR-PCI group (23.4% vs 19.6%; P = 0.002) compared to the DES ISR-PCI group, but no significant differences in mortality were observed at 1 year between the groups. After adjustment for multiple confounders, DEB ISR-PCI was not associated with increased MACE at 1 year (P = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: In our large experience, patients treated with DEB for ISR-PCI have higher baseline risk and sustained increased MACE rates compared with DES ISR-PCI patients. After adjustment for confounding variables, clinical outcomes are similar between the groups at 1 year after PCI.

Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator for the Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death among Patients With Cancer.

Data are limited regarding the characteristics and outcomes of patients with cancer who are found eligible for primary defibrillator therapy. We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with preexisting cancer diagnoses who become eligible for a primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) defibrillator. Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial-ICD (MADIT-ICD) benefit scores were calculated. The study included 75 cancer patients at a median age of 73 (interquartile range 64, 81) years at heart failure diagnosis. Active cancer was present in 51%. Overall, 55% of the cohort had coronary artery disease and 37% were CRT eligible. We found that 48%, 49%, and 3% of cohorts had low, intermediate, and high MADIT-ICD Benefit scores, respectively. Only 27% of patients underwent primary defibrillator implantation. Using multivariate analysis, indication for CRT and intermediate/high MADIT-ICD Benefit categories were found as independent predictors for implantation (odds ratio 8.42 p <0.001 and odds ratio 3.74 p = 0.040, respectively). During a median follow-up of 5.3 (interquartile range 4.5, 7.2) years, one patient (5%) with a defibrillator had appropriate shock therapy and 2 patients (10%) had bacteremia. Of 13 patients with CRT defibrillator-implants, one patient was admitted for heart failure exacerbation (8%). Using a time-varying covariate model, we did not observe statistically significant differences in the survival of patients with cancer implanted versus those not implanted with primary defibrillators (hazard ratio 0.521, p = 0.127). In conclusion, although primary defibrillator therapy is underutilized in patients with cancer, its relative benefit is limited because of competing risk of nonarrhythmic mortality. These findings highlight the need for personalized cardiologic and oncologic coevaluation.

The independent impact of dementia in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Although age and frailty are associated with worse prognoses for patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), little is known regarding the independent impact of dementia. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between dementia and outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Consecutive patients with ST-elevation or non-ST elevation MI who had undergone PCI as part of our AMI registry were included in this study. We compared outcomes within the 1-year period of their PCI, including death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and corrected for confounders using Cox regression. RESULTS: Of 28 274 patients, 9167 patients who had undergone PCI for AMI were included in this study, 250 with dementia; Mean age (77.4 ± 9.4 in the dementia group vs. 63.6 ± 12.7 in the control), female gender (32.4 vs. 24.2%, p = .003), diabetes mellitus (54.0 vs. 42.4%, p < .001) and chronic kidney disease (44.4 vs. 19.3%, p < .001) were higher. At 12 months, unadjusted rates of death (25.5 vs. 9.8%, p < .001) and MACE (33.8 vs. 17.6%, p < .001) were higher for patients with dementia. After standardizing for confounding variables, dementia remained an independent risk factor for death (HR 1.90; CI 1.37-2.65; p < .001) and MACE (HR 1.73; CI 1.30-2.31; p < .001), as well as in propensity score matched analysis (HR 1.54; CI: 1.03-2.28; p < .001 and HR 1.49; CI: 1.09-2.02; p < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Dementia is an independent predictor of worse outcomes in patients undergoing PCI for AMI. Future intervention and specialized healthcare measures to mitigate this risk is warranted.

Hypothyroidism predicts worsened prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The link between thyroid dysfunction and cardiovascular disease is well established. Hypothyroidism has been significantly associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and heart failure. However, little is known regarding its effect on patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Aim: The aim of study was to examine the impact of concomitant hypothyroidism on mortality and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in patients undergoing PCI. Methods: The Rabin Medical Center PCI registry includes all consecutive patients who have undergone PCI between 2004 and 2020. We identified patients with prior diagnosis of hypothyroidism, and compared rates of mortality and MACE (comprising death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and/or coronary bypass surgery). Results: Among 28,274 patients, 1,922 (6.8%) were found to have hypothryoidism. These patients were older (70.3 ± 10.4 vs. 66.0 ± 11.8 y.o, P < 0.001) and more likely to be women (34.2% vs. 26.1%, P < 0.001). They had a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (10.8% vs. 7.7%, P < 0.001), chronic renal dysfunction (25.1% vs. 18.7%, P = 0.04) and dementia (2.9% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.004). PCI was performed on ACS setting in 52-54% of patients in both groups (p = 0.569). Unadjusted 5-year rates of all-cause mortality (26.9% vs. 20.3%, P < 0.001) and MACE (40.3% vs. 29.4%, P < 0.001) were higher for hypothyroid patients. A propensity match score was able to form 672 matched pairs of HT and control patients, showing similar results. Moreover, following multivariate analysis, TSH as a continuous parameter was associated with a higher risk of mortality and MACE (HR, 1.06 per additional 1 mIU/L; CI, 1.02-1.11; P < 0.001 and HR, 1.07; CI, 1.02-1.12; P < 0.001, respectively) at 5-year follow up. Conclusion: In our study, hypothyroidism confers worse outcomes in patients undergoing PCI. Further research is needed to establish effective ways to mitigate this augmented risk.

Temporal Trends in Complex Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

Background: Accumulated experience combined with technological advancements in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) over the past four decades, has led to a gradual increase in PCI utilization and complexity. We aimed to investigate the temporal trends in PCI complexity and the outcomes of complex PCI (C-PCI) in our institution. Methods: We analyzed 20,301 consecutive PCI procedures performed over a 12-year period. C-PCI was defined as a procedure involving at least one of the following: Chronic total occlusion (CTO), left main (LM), bifurcation or saphenous vein graft (SVG) PCI. Four periods of 3-year time intervals were defined (2008-10, 2011-2013, 2014-2016, 2017-2019), and temporal trends in the rate and outcomes of C-PCI within these intervals were studied. Endpoints included mortality and major adverse cardiac events [MACE: death, acute myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR)] at 1 year. Results: A total of 5,647 (27.8%) C-PCI procedures were performed. The rate of C-PCI has risen significantly since 2,017 (31.2%, p < 0.01), driven mainly by bifurcation and LM interventions (p < 0.01). At 1-year, rates of death, acute MI, TVR and MACE, were all significantly higher in the C-PCI group (8.8 vs. 5.1%, 5.6 vs. 4.5%, 5.5 vs. 4.0%, 17.2 vs. 12.2%, p < 0.001 for all, respectively), as compared to the non-complex group. C-PCI preformed in the latter half of the study period (2014-2019) were associated with improved 1-year TVR (4.4% and 4.8% vs. 6.7% and 7.1%, p = 0.01, respectively) and MACE (13.8% and 13.5% vs. 17.3% and 18.2%, p = 0.001, respectively) rates compared to the earlier period (2007-2013). Death rate had not significantly declined with time. Conclusion: In the current cohort, we have detected a temporal increase in PCI complexity coupled with improved 1-year clinical outcomes in C-PCI.

Preoperative evaluation of pulmonary hypertension in lung transplant candidates: echocardiography versus right heart catheterization.

BACKGROUND: Right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography are both routinely used for pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) assessment in lung transplantation (LT) candidates, although this is not mandated by current guidelines. We aimed to explore the performance of echocardiographic PASP as an indicator of pulmonary hypertension in LT candidates, in order to assess the necessity of RHC. METHODS: From a retrospective registry of 393 LT candidates undergoing RHC and echocardiography during 2015-2019, patients were assessed for the presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH), defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) above 20 mmHg, according to two methods-echocardiography and RHC. The primary outcome was the correlation between the PASP estimated by echocardiography to that measured by RHC. Secondary outcomes were the prediction value of the echocardiographic evaluation and its accuracy. RESULTS: The mean value of PASP estimated by echocardiography was 49.5 ± 20.0 mmHg, compared to 42.5 ± 18.0 mmHg measured by RHC. The correlation between the two measurements was moderate (Pearson's correlation: r = 0.609, p < 0.01). Echocardiography PASP measurements were moderately discriminative to diagnose PH, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72 (95% CI 0.66-0.77). Echocardiographic overestimation of PASP of more than 10 mmHg was found in 35.0% of the patients, and underestimation was found in 11.6% of the patients. CONCLUSION: In the pre-surgical evaluation of LT candidates, echocardiographic estimation of PASP had moderate correlation and limited accuracy compared to the PASP measured by RHC. We thus recommend performing routine RHC to all LT candidates, regardless of the echocardiographic estimation of PASP.

Biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents versus durable polymer drug-eluting stents for percutaneous coronary intervention: a contemporary registry-based analysis.

AIMS: We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents (BP-DES) versus durable polymer drug-eluting stents (DP-DES). METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 11 517 PCIs with second-generation DES performed in our institution between 2007 and 2019, we identified 8042 procedures performed using DP-DES and 3475 using BP-DES. The primary outcome was target lesion failure, the composite target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel myocardial infarction and death. Propensity score matching was used to create a well-balanced cohort. Mean follow-up was 4.8 years. Of the 3413 matched pairs, 21% were females, and the mean age was 66 years. At 1 year, the primary outcome occurred in 8.3% patients versus 7.1% (P = 0.07), and TLR rate was 3% versus 2% (P = 0.006) in patients with DP-DES and BP-DES respectively. Within 5 years, the primary outcome occurred in 23.1% versus 23.4% (P = 0.44), and the rate of TLR was 7.2% versus 6.5% (P = 0.07) in patients with DP-DES and BP-DES, respectively. CONCLUSION: Similar rates of the composite outcome were observed throughout the entire follow-up. Target lesion revascularization rates were lower in the BP-DES group at 1-year but equalized within 5 years.

Increased risk of non-hematological cancer in young patients with aortic stenosis: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported an increased risk for non-hematological malignancies in young patients with moderate or severe aortic stenosis (AS). These findings were the result of a post-hoc analysis from a large echocardiography database and needed verification. Our aim was to determine, using a different study population, whether young patients with AS are at increased risk for cancer. METHODS: A large echocardiographic database was used to identify patients (age ≥ 20 years) with moderate or severe AS (study group) and patients without aortic stenosis (comparative group). The new occurrence of non-hematological malignancies was determined after the index date (first echo with moderate or severe AS or first recorded echo in the control group). RESULTS: The final study group included 7013 patients with AS and 98,884 without AS. During a median follow-up of 6.9 years (3.0-11.1) there were 10,705 new cases of non-hematological cancer. The crude incidence rate of cancer was higher in AS compared to non-AS patients (22.3 vs. 13.7 per 1000 patient-year, crude HR 1.58 (95%CI 1.46-1.71). After adjustment for relevant covariates, there was no difference between groups (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.01). Only patients in the lowest age quartile (20-49.7 years), had an increased adjusted risk of cancer (HR 1.91, 95%CI 1.08-3.39). The HR for the risk of cancer associated with AS was inversely proportional to age (P < 0.001 for the interaction between AS and age). CONCLUSIONS: Young patients with moderate or severe AS may have an increased risk for cancer. Cancer surveillance should be considered for young patients with AS.

Management and outcome across the spectrum of high-risk patients with myocardial infarction according to the thrmobolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk-score for secondary prevention.

BACKGROUND: Patients with myocardial infarction (MI) are at increased risk for recurrent cardiovascular events, yet some patients, such as the elderly and those with prior comorbidities, are particularly at the highest risk. Whether these patients benefit from contemporary management is not fully elucidated. METHODS: Included were consecutive patients with MI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large tertiary medical center. Patients were stratified according to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score for secondary prevention (TRS2°P) to high (TRS2°P = 3), very high (TRS2°P = 4), or extremely high-risk (TRS2°P = 5-9). Excluded were low and intermediate-risk patients (TRS2°P < 3). Outcomes included 30-day/1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and 1-year mortality. Temporal trends were examined in the early (2004-2010) and late (2011-2016) time-periods. RESULTS: Among 2053 patients, 50% were high-risk, 30% very high-risk and 20% extremely high-risk. Extremely high-risk patients were older (age 74 ± 10 year) and had significant comorbidities (chronic kidney disease 68%, prior CABG 40%, heart failure 78%, peripheral artery disease 29%). Drug-eluting stents and potent antiplatelets were more commonly used over time in all risk-strata. Over time, 30-day MACE rates have decreased, mainly attributed to the very high (11.3% to 5.1%, p = .006) and extremely high-risk groups (15.9% to 8.0%, p = .016), but not the high-risk group, with similar quantitative results for 1-year MACE. The rates of 1-year mortality remained unchanged in either group. CONCLUSION: Within a particularly high-risk cohort of MI patients who underwent PCI, the implementation of guideline-recommended therapies has improved over time, with the highest-risk groups demonstrating the greatest benefit in outcomes.

Increased Rate of New-onset Left Bundle Branch Block in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (From a National Registry).

There is a growing interest in transcutaneous aortic valve implantation (TAVI) therapy among patients with bicuspid severe aortic stenosis (BAV). Conduction disturbances remain a frequent complication of TAVI, and new-onset permanent LBBB (NOP-LBBB) post-TAVI may be a marker of worse outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the rate of NOP-LBBB following TAVI among patients with BAV as compared to tricuspid severe aortic stenosis (TAV). Patients enrolled in the multicenter (5 centers) Bicuspid AS TAVI Registry were reviewed and compared with patients with TAV. Patients with previous aortic valve replacement, other valve morphologies and those with preprocedural LBBB or pacemaker were excluded. NOP-LBBB was defined as LBBB first detected and persisting 30-days following TAVI. A total of 387 patients (66 with BAV, 321 with TAV), age 80.3 ± 7.3, 47% females were analyzed. The device success rates were 95% in both groups without any conversions to surgery. The rate of NOP-LBBB was significantly higher among patients with BAV versus TAV (29.2% vs 16.9%, p = 0.02). However, the rate of post procedural pacemaker implantation was similar (14.8% vs 12.5%; respectively, p = 0.62). In BAV and TAV groups, 1-year mortality (6.1% vs 7.2%; respectively, p = 0.75) and stroke rates (6.1% vs 3.5%; respectively, p = 0.30) were not significantly different. Multivariate analysis identified BAV as an independent predictor of NOP-LBBB (AdjOR = 2.7, 95%CI 1.3 to 5.4). Furthermore, BAV subtypes with raphe (type 1) were identified as independent predictors of NOP-LBBB (AdjOR = 3.2, 95%CI: 1.5 to 6.7). In conclusion, patients with BAV undergoing TAVI have greater risk for developing NOP-LBBB compared with patients with TAV and the presence of raphe was associated with increased risk of NOP-LBBB. The prognostic significance for this finding warrants further evaluation in future studies.

Timing of Nonculprit Percutaneous Coronary Intervention after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Complete revascularization of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multivessel disease (MVD) has recently shown to reduce risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death. Optimal timing of revascularization of nonculprit lesions remains controversial. We aimed to measure cardiac outcomes related to duration between primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) of the culprit lesion and staged PCI (sPCI) of nonculprit lesions. METHODS: From a prospectively collected consecutive registry of 3,002 patients treated for STEMI by pPCI, 1,555 patients with MVD requiring sPCI were identified. Patients were placed into quartiles of duration to sPCI: 0-7 days (Q1), 7-22 days (Q2), 22-42 days (Q3), >42 days (Q4), excluding those who had complete revascularization at the index event. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and coronary artery bypass surgery. Cox regression and propensity score matching were performed correcting for confounding factors. RESULTS: The average age at presentation was 65.7 ± 11.5 years. 333 were female (21.4%). Mean time between pPCI and sPCI was 28.3 days (±24.8). Rates of MACE were Q1 - 16.5%, Q2 - 21.2%, Q3 - 25.8%, and Q4 - 30.1% (log-rank <0.001). Following regression analysis, sPCI remained an independent risk factor for MACE (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.226 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.129-1.331, p < 0.001]). There was no association between the time interval up to sPCI with all-cause death (HR = 1.022 [95% CI: 0.925-1.129, p = 0.671]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MVD are at increased risk of experiencing MACE after revascularization of nonculprit vessels with increasing time delay between pPCI and sPCI.

The Definition of "Acute Kidney Injury" Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Cardiovascular Outcomes.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), known to increase rates of adverse medical events. We aimed to identify the optimal definition of AKI in predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality post PCI. From a large registry of patients undergoing PCI between 2006-2018 (n = 25,690) at our medical center, consecutive patients were assessed for the presence of AKI according to four different definitions: a relative elevation of ≥25% or ≥50%; or an absolute elevation of ≥0.3 mg/dL or ≥0.5 mg/dL in serum creatinine at 48 hours post PCI. We assessed the calculated rates of AKI according to the different definitions. The discriminant capacity for 30-day and 1-year mortality and MACE (MACE: all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target-vessel revascularization and coronary artery bypass graft surgery) of each definition was calculated using ROC curves and AUCs. Data of 15,153 patients was available for the final analysis. Rates of AKI were 12.1%, 3.2%, 8.1% and 3.9% according to the four definitions, respectively. The discriminant capacity of adverse outcomes was highest among those defined as AKI according to the third definition - an absolute elevation of ≥0.3 mg/dL in serum creatinine with an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI 0.80-0.84) for 30-day mortality (P value = 0.036) and an AUC of 0.78 (CI 0.76-0.79) for 30-day MACE. In conclusion, an absolute elevation of ≥ 0.3 mg/dL in serum creatinine 48 hours post PCI predicts overall mortality and MACE most accurately.

Report from a large and comprehensive single-center Women's Health Cardiology Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the women population and work at a unique Women's Health Cardiology Clinic in order to raise cardiovascular disease awareness with an emphasis on women-specific risk factors, and thus to improve women's clinical outcomes. This expectantly will aid in opening similar centers allowing more women to get superior care. METHODS: Electronic medical records of women referred to the Women's Health Cardiology Clinic were analyzed. The statistical analysis is descriptive in nature. Women's Health Cardiology Clinic personnel work as a multidisciplinary team, and patients receive specialized diagnostic tests and treatments. Referrals are by physicians according to traditional and women's specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: 985 women visited the Women's Health Cardiology Clinic, accumulating 2062 visits. Median age was 57.5 years. The majority of the women were menopausal (575 women, 58%), 62 pregnant with complications and 25 oncology patients. At least, 30% of women had diabetes/hypertension/or dyslipidemia. 72 women had a history of either cerebrovascular event or acute coronary syndrome, and 139 women had evidence of atherosclerosis. Overall, 388 women underwent endothelial function test, 40% of these women had a score indicating endothelial dysfunction. 277 women underwent a psychological intervention. CONCLUSION: Described here are the experiences from a multidisciplinary Women's Health Cardiology Clinic using a gender-specific cardiovascular care approach for women geared toward improved health and wellbeing. It is of utmost importance that this report will raise women-specific cardiovascular disease risk factors awareness in order to promote women's cardiovascular and overall health.

Temporal trends in short and long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions among cancer patients.

While mortality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is known to have steadily decline over the last decades, data are lacking regarding the complex sub-population of patients with both coronary artery disease and cancer. A large single-center percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry was used to retrieve patients who had a known diagnosis of malignancy during PCI. Patients were divided into two groups according to the period in which PCI was performed (period 1: 2006-2011, period 2: 2012-2017). Cox regression hazard models were implemented to compare primary endpoint, defined as the composite outcomes of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (which include cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization) and secondary endpoint of all-cause mortality, between the two time periods. A total of 3286 patients were included, 1819 (55%) had undergone PCI in period 1, and 1467 (45%) in period 2. Both short- and long-term MACE and overall mortality were significantly lower in patients who underwent PCI at the latter period (2.3% vs. 4.3%, p < 0.001 and 1.1% vs. 3.2%, p < 0.001 after 30 days and 24% vs. 30%, p < 0.001 and 12% vs. 22%, p < 0.001 after 2 years, respectively). However, in a multivariate analysis, going through PCI in the latter period was still associated with lower rates of overall mortality (HR 0.708, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-0.93, p = 0.014) but there was no significant difference in MACE (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75-1.42, p = 0.16). Patients with cancer undergoing PCI during our most contemporary period had an improved overall survival, but no significant differences were observed in the composite cardiovascular endpoints, compared to an earlier PCI period. The management of coronary patients with cancer disease remains challenging.

Temporary Trends in Fever following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

OBJECTIVES: Fever following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a common phenomenon, attributed mostly to inflammatory response which may impact outcome. Systemic inflammatory response may be triggered by multiple factors, most associated with the TAVI procedure itself. However, there are no data regarding the incidence of fever following TAVI in contemporary era with newer generation devices. Our primary objective was to measure temporal trends in fever incidence and features following TAVI. METHODS: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of 802 consecutive patients who underwent TAVI at our institution between November 2008 and February 2018. We identified and characterized all patients who developed fever (>38.0°C from any cause) within the first 72 h following the procedure and analyzed incidence and characteristics stratified into 3 time frames: 2008-2014, 2014-2016, and 2016-2018. RESULTS: Following TAVI, 190 (23.7%) patients developed fever (mean age 82.3 ± 5.2 years, 64.2% female). An infectious etiology was evident in only 32.1% of cases. The frequency decreased gradually and significantly across timeframes (32.8, 23.6, and 14.5%, respectively, p < 0.001). In a multivariate regression analysis, 1st generation CoreValve (HR 1.91; CI 95% 1.2-3.04, p = 0.006) was found to be associated with higher incidence of fever in addition to female gender, vascular complications, transfemoral access, and reduced GFR. CONCLUSIONS: Fever incidence post TAVI decreased significantly throughout the last decade. The higher rate of fever in the early years of TAVI was likely associated with first-generation devices, vascular complications, and reduced GFR.