Association between speckle tracking echocardiography and pressure-volume loops during cardiogenic shock development.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between speckle tracking assessed global longitudinal strain (GLS) and Doppler-based echocardiography with basic physiological markers of cardiac function derived from pressure-volume loops is poorly elucidated. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the association between LS and Doppler-based echocardiography and direct measurements of central haemodynamic parameters from conductance catheter-based pressure-volume loops in an animal model with increasing left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. METHODS: 12 Danish landrace female pigs (75-80 kg) were used. All instrumentations were performed percutaneously, including the conductance catheter in the LV. Progressive LV dysfunction was induced by embolisation through the left main coronary artery with microspheres every 3 min until a >50% reduction in cardiac output (CO) or mixed venous saturation (SvO2), compared with baseline, or SvO2 <30%. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and 90 s after each injection. RESULTS: With progressive LV dysfunction, mean CO decreased from 5.6±0.9 L/min to 2.1±0.9 L/min, and mean SvO2 deteriorated from 61.1±7.9% to 35.3±6.1%. Mean LS and LV outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT VTI) declined from -13.8±3.0% to -6.1±2.0% and 16.9±2.6 cm to 7.8±1.8 cm, respectively. LS and LVOT VTI showed the strongest correlation to stroke work in unadjusted linear regression (r2=0.53 and r2=0.49, respectively). LS correlated significantly with stroke volume, end-systolic elastance, systolic blood pressure, ventriculo-arterial coupling and arterial elastance. CONCLUSION: In an animal model of acute progressive LV dysfunction, echocardiographic and conductance catheter-based measurements changed significantly. LS and LVOT VTI displayed the earliest and the largest alterations with increased myocardial damage and both correlated strongest with stroke work.

Comparison Among Ultra-Thin Coronary Stents: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Ultrathin-strut drug-eluting stents (DES) have been related to potential improvement in stent-related outcomes compared with thicker-struts DES. However, comparisons among different ultrathin devices are lacking. All randomized controlled trials comparing ultrathin (struts thickness <70 µm) and thicker-struts DESs in an all-comers population were included. Target lesion failure (TLF), as defined by included trials, at 1-year follow-up was the primary end point. Overall mortality, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and stent thrombosis were the secondary end points. Arms of included trials were compared using network meta-analysis. Nine studies encompassing 20,081 patients were included, of which 9,509 patients had an ultrathin DES: Orsiro (evaluated in 7 arms with 8,086 patients), MiStent (1 arm with 703 patients), or Supraflex (1 arm with 720 patients). At 1-year follow-up, no significant differences were noted for TLF among these ultrathin DES. In particular, Orsiro was associated with a similar risk of TLF compared with Supraflex (risk rate 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.59 to 1.78) and showed the highest probability of performing best in terms of TLF, myocardial infarction, and TLR. Ultrathin DES are all associated with a comparable risk of TLF compared with thicker-strut DES. In terms of TLR and TLF risk, Orsiro was the one with the highest probability of best performances, either compared with other ultrathin DES or to devices with thicker struts.

Invasive mechanical ventilation in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction: A contemporary Danish cohort analysis.

PURPOSE: Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) is widely used in patients with cardiogenic shock following acute myocardial infarction (AMICS), but evidence to guide practice remains sparse. We sought to evaluate trends in the rate of IMV utilization, applied settings, and short term-outcome of a contemporary cohort of AMICS patients treated with IMV according to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) at admission. METHODS: Consecutive AMICS patients receiving IMV in an intensive care unit (ICU) at two tertiary centres between 2010 and 2017. Data were analysed in relation to OHCA. RESULTS: A total of 1274 mechanically ventilated AMICS patients were identified, 682 (54%) with OHCA. Frequency of IMV increased during the study period, primarily due to higher occurrence of OHCA admissions. Among 566 patients with complete ventilator data, positive-end-expiratory pressure, inspired oxygen fraction, and minute ventilation during the initial 24 h in ICU were monitored. No differences were observed between 30-day survivors and non-survivors with OHCA. In non-OHCA, these ventilator requirements were significantly higher among 30-day non-survivors (P for all<0.05), accompanied by a lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio (median 143 vs. 230, P < 0.001) and higher arterial lactate levels (median 3.5 vs. 1.5 mmol/L, P < 0.001) than survivors. Physiologically normal PaO2 and pCO2 levels were achieved in all patients irrespective of 30-day survival and OHCA status. CONCLUSION: In the present contemporary cohort of AMICS patients, physiologically normal blood gas values were achieved both in OHCA and non-OHCA in the early phase of admission. However, increased demand of ventilatory support was associated with poorer survival only in non-OHCA patients.

Optimal lesion preparation before implantation of a Magmaris bioresorbable scaffold in patients with coronary artery stenosis: Rationale, design and methodology of the OPTIMIS study.

Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention with implantation of a bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) provide the vessel support for a limited period allowing the vessel to restore normal vasomotion after degradation of the BRS, opposed to treatment with drug-eluting stents where the metal persist in the vessel wall. Late lumen loss and reduction in lumen area after implantation have been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether intense pre-dilatation before BRS implantation resulted in less reduction of minimal lumen area at 6- and 12-month follow-up after implantation of a Magmaris BRS (MgBRS). Coronary imaging with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was assessed to track changes in lumen and vessel dimensions. Methods: The prospective Optimal lesion PreparaTion before Implantation of the Magmaris bioresorbable scaffold In patients with coronary artery Stenosis (OPTIMIS) study randomly assigned eighty-two patients with chronic coronary syndrome to two pre-dilatation treatment strategies. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to pre-dilatation with either a non-compliant scoring balloon or a standard non-compliant balloon prior to implantation of a MgBRS. The treated segment was evaluated with OCT and IVUS at baseline, after 6 and 12 months to assess changes in lumen and vessel dimensions. The hypothesis was that more intense pre-dilatation with a non-compliant scoring balloon before MgBRS implantation can reduce the risk of late lumen reduction compared to standard pre-dilatation. The power calculation used expected MLA after 6 months (6.22 mm2 for the scoring balloon and 5.01 mm2 for the standard non-compliant balloon), power of 80 %, significance level of 0.05 and expected drop-out rate of 15 %, requiring 82 patients to be enrolled. Results: Eighty-two patients were included in the study. Enrollment was from December 2020 to September 2023. Conclusion: The hypothesis was that more intense pre-dilatation with a non-compliant scoring balloon before MgBRS implantation can reduce the risk of late lumen reduction compared to standard pre-dilatation.

DIFFERENCES IN MANAGEMENT AND PROGNOSTICATION OF CARDIOGENIC SHOCK PATIENTS IN THE PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF OUT-OF-HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST.

ABSTRACT: Background: The clinical spectrum of acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS) varies. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) can be the first sign of cardiac failure, whereas others present with various degrees of hemodynamic instability (non-OHCA). The aim of the present study was to explore differences in prehospital management and characteristics of survivors and nonsurvivors in AMICS patients with OHCA or non-OHCA. Methods: Data analysis was based on patient data from the RETROSHOCK cohort comprising consecutive AMICS patients admitted to two tertiary cardiac centers between 2010 and 2017. Results: 1,716 AMICS patients were included and 42% presented with OHCA. Mortality in OHCA patients was 47% versus 57% in the non-OHCA group. Almost all OHCA patients were intubated before admission (96%). In the non-OHCA group, prehospital intubation (25%) was associated with a better survival ( P < 0.001). Lactate level on admission demonstrated a linear relationship with mortality in OHCA patients. In non-OHCA, probability of death was higher for any given lactate level <12 mmol/L compared with OHCA. However, a lactate level >7 mmol/L in non-OHCA did not increase mortality odds any further. Conclusion: Mortality was almost doubled for any admission lactate level up to 7 mmol/L in non-OHCA patients. Above this level, mortality remained unchanged in non-OHCA patients but continued to increase in OHCA patients. Prehospital intubation was performed in almost all OHCA patients but only in one of four patients without OHCA. Early intubation in non-OHCA patients was associated with a better outcome.

Long-term outcomes after coronary intervention with biodegradable polymer stents in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) may have worse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention compared to patients without ACS. AIMS: To compare 5-year efficacy and safety outcomes in patients with and without ACS treated with biodegradable polymers, the ultrathin strut sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (O-SES) or the biolimus-eluting Nobori stent (N-BES). METHODS: The Scandinavian Organisation for Randomized Trials with Clinical Outcome VII is a randomized trial comparing O-SES and N-BES in an all-comer setting. Of 2525 patients, 1329 (53%) patients had ACS and 1196 (47%) patients were without ACS. Endpoints were target lesion failure (TLF) (a composite of cardiac death, target lesion myocardial infarction, or target lesion revascularization) and definite stent thrombosis within 5 years. RESULTS: At 5-year follow-up, TLF did not differ significantly between patients with and without ACS (12.3% vs. 13.2%; rate ratio (RR) 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.70-1.44), whereas the risk of definite stent thrombosis was increased in patients with ACS (2.3% vs. 1.3; RR: 2.01 [95% CI: 1.01-3.98]). In patients with ACS, the rate of TLF was similar between O-SES and N-BES (12.4% vs. 12.3%; RR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.74-1.40). The reduced risk of definite stent thrombosis in O-SES treated ACS patients within the first year (0.2% vs. 1.6%; RR: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02-0.93) was not maintained after 5 years (1.8% vs. 2.7%; RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.37-1.63). CONCLUSION: Patients with ACS had an increased risk of stent thrombosis regardless of the stent type used. Long-term outcomes were similar for ACS patients treated with O-SES or N-BES at 5 years.

Serial fractional flow reserve, coronary flow reserve and index of microcirculatory resistance after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients treated for stable angina pectoris assessed with PET.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac 15 O-water PET is a noninvasive method to evaluate epicardial and microvascular dysfunction and further quantitate absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF). AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of revascularization on MBF and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) assessed with 15 O-water PET and invasive flow and pressure measurements. METHODS: In 21 patients with single-vessel disease referred for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), serial PET perfusion imaging and fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were performed during PCI and after 3 months. RESULTS: In the affected myocardium, stress MBF and MFR increased significantly from before revascularization to 3 months after revascularization: stress MBF 2.4 ±â€…0.8 vs. 3.2 ±â€…0.8; P  < 0.001 and MFR 2.5 ±â€…0.8 vs. 3.4 ±â€…1.1; P  = 0.004. FFR and CFR increased significantly from baseline to after revascularization and remained stable from after revascularization to 3-month follow-up: FFR 0.64 ±â€…0.20 vs. 0.91 ±â€…0.06 vs. 0.91 ±â€…0.07; P  < 0.001; CFR 2.4 ±â€…1.2 vs. 3.6 ±â€…1.9 vs. 3.6 ±â€…1.9; P  < 0.001, whereas IMR did not change significantly: 30.3 ±â€…22.9 vs. 30.1 ±â€…25.3 vs. 31.9 ±â€…25.2; P  = ns. After revascularization, an increase in stress MBF was associated with an increase in FFR ( r  = 0.732; P  < 0.001) and an increase in MFR ( r  = 0.499; P  = 0.021). IMR measured before PCI was inversely associated with improvement in stress MBF, ( r  = -0.616; P  = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Recovery of myocardial perfusion after PCI was associated with an increase in FFR 3 months after revascularization. Microcirculatory dysfunction was associated with less improvement in myocardial perfusion.

Instantaneous wave free ratio vs. fractional flow reserve and 5-year mortality: iFR SWEDEHEART and DEFINE FLAIR.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Guidelines recommend revascularization of intermediate epicardial artery stenosis to be guided by evidence of ischaemia. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) are equally recommended. Individual 5-year results of two major randomized trials comparing FFR with iFR-guided revascularization suggested increased all-cause mortality following iFR-guided revascularization. The aim of this study was a study-level meta-analysis of the 5-year outcome data in iFR-SWEDEHEART (NCT02166736) and DEFINE-FLAIR (NCT02053038). METHODS: Composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and its individual components [all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), and unplanned revascularisation] were analysed. Raw Kaplan-Meier estimates, numbers at risk, and number of events were extracted at 5-year follow-up and analysed using the ipdfc package (Stata version 18, StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: In total, iFR and FFR-guided revascularization was performed in 2254 and 2257 patients, respectively. Revascularization was more often deferred in the iFR group [n = 1128 (50.0%)] vs. the FFR group [n = 1021 (45.2%); P = .001]. In the iFR-guided group, the number of deaths, MACE, unplanned revascularization, and MI was 188 (8.3%), 484 (21.5%), 235 (10.4%), and 123 (5.5%) vs. 143 (6.3%), 420 (18.6%), 241 (10.7%), and 123 (5.4%) in the FFR group. Hazard ratio [95% confidence interval (CI)] estimates for MACE were 1.18 [1.04; 1.34], all-cause mortality 1.34 [1.08; 1.67], unplanned revascularization 0.99 [0.83; 1.19], and MI 1.02 [0.80; 1.32]. CONCLUSIONS: Five-year all-cause mortality and MACE rates were increased with revascularization guided by iFR compared to FFR. Rates of unplanned revascularization and MI were equal in the two groups.

Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Its Association with Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an inflammatory biomarker related to acute kidney injury (AKI). Including 1892 consecutive patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), in which NGAL was measured in 1624 (86%) on admission and in a consecutive subgroup at 6-12 h (n = 163) and 12-24 h (n = 222) after admission, this study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of NGAL in predicting AKI and mortality. Patients were stratified based on whether their admission NGAL plasma concentration was greater than or equal to/less than the median. The primary endpoint was a composite of the first occurrence of AKI or all-cause death within 30 days. AKI was classified by the maximal plasma creatinine increase from baseline during index admission as KDIGO1 (<200% increase) or KDIGO23 (≥200% increase) according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) system. Admission NGAL > the median was independently associated with a higher risk of severe AKI (KDIGO2-3) and 30-day all-cause mortality when adjusted for age, admission systolic blood pressure and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, left-ventricular ejection fraction, known kidney dysfunction, and cardiogenic shock with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.26 (1.18-4.51), p = 0.014. Finally, we observed increasing predictive values in a subgroup during the first day of hospitalization suggesting that assessment of NGAL should be delayed for optimal prognostic purposes.

The Influence of Microcirculatory Dysfunction on the Resting Full Cycle Ratio Compared to Fractional Flow Reserve.

BACKGROUND: The relation between the resting full cycle ratio (RFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the influence of coronary microvascular dysfunction, assessed by the index of microvascular resistance (IMR), on RFR compared to FFR in patients undergoing functional assessment for coronary stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two-hundred patients with borderline stenosis underwent functional assessment of RFR, FFR, coronary flow reserve (CFR) and IMR. Retriever operator curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic value of RFR in patients with (IMR ≥ 24) and (IMR < 24). RESULTS: Median RFR did not differ significantly in patients with IMR ≥ 24 compared to patients with IMR < 24: 0.89 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.84, 0.95) vs. 0.90 (IQR 0.84, 0.92), p = 0.29). FFR was significantly higher in patients with IMR ≥ 24 compared to patients with IMR < 24: median FFR 0.85 (IQR (0.76, 0.92)) vs. 0.82 (IQR 0.73, 0.86), p = 0.009, and median CFR was significantly lower 1.80 (IQR 1.40, 2.55) vs. 2.70 (IQR 1.80, 3.95), p < 0.001. The diagnostic value of RFR was high (Area under the curve (AUC) 0.89 95 % Confidence Interval: [0.85, 0.93]) and AUC did not differ between patients with IMR ≥ 24 compared to patients with IMR < 24: 0.89 vs. 0.90, p = 0.89. An overall optimal cut off of 0.88 was identified. The cut off did not differ significantly between patients with IMR ≥ 24 compared to patients with IMR < 24: 0.88 vs. 0.90, p = 0.397. CONCLUSION: In patients with coronary borderline stenosis, the coronary microvascular function did not influence on the cut off values or AUC of RFR compared to FFR.

Inflammatory response by 48 h after admission and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

AIMS: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is known to induce an inflammatory response. The prognostic utility of this remains unclear. To investigate the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and leucocyte count and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by CS (AMICS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients (N = 1716) admitted between 2010 and 2017 with an individually validated diagnosis of AMICS were included. The analysis was restricted to patients alive at 48 h after first medical contact and a valid CRP and leucocyte measurement at 48 ± 12 h from the first medical contact. A combined inflammatory score for each patient was computed by summing the CRP and leucocyte count z-scores to normalize the response on a standard deviation scale. Associations with mortality were analysed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model stratified by inflammatory response quartiles: Of the 1716 patients in the cohort, 1111 (64.7%) fulfilled inclusion criteria. The median CRP level at 48 h was 145 mg/dL [interquartile range (IQR) 96-211]. The median leucocyte count was 12.6 × 10-9/L (IQR 10.1-16.4). Patients with the highest inflammatory response (Q4) had lower median left ventricular ejection fractions and higher lactate levels at the time of diagnosis. The 30-day all-cause mortality rates were 46% in Q4 and 21% in Q1 (P < 0.001). In multivariable models, the inflammatory response remained associated with mortality [hazard ratio (HR)Q4 2.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.59-3.39, P < 0.001]. The finding was also significant in AMICS patients presenting with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest following multivariable adjustment (HRQ4 3.37, 95% CI 2.02-4.64, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Cardiogenic shock induces an acute inflammatory response, the severity of which is associated with mortality.

Age-Related Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mechanical Reperfusion and 30-Day Mortality for STEMI: Results of the ISACS-STEMI COVID-19 Registry.

BACKGROUND: The constraints in the management of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the COVID-19 pandemic have been suggested to have severely impacted mortality levels. The aim of the current analysis is to evaluate the age-related effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mechanical reperfusion and 30-day mortality for STEMI within the registry ISACS-STEMI COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter registry was performed in high-volume PPCI centers on four continents and included STEMI patients undergoing PPCI in March-June 2019 and 2020. Patients were divided according to age (< or ≥75 years). The main outcomes were the incidence and timing of PPCI, (ischemia time longer than 12 h and door-to-balloon longer than 30 min), and in-hospital or 30-day mortality. RESULTS: We included 16,683 patients undergoing PPCI in 109 centers. In 2020, during the pandemic, there was a significant reduction in PPCI as compared to 2019 (IRR 0.843 (95%-CI: 0.825-0.861, p < 0.0001). We found a significant age-related reduction (7%, p = 0.015), with a larger effect on elderly than on younger patients. Furthermore, we observed significantly higher 30-day mortality during the pandemic period, especially among the elderly (13.6% vs. 17.9%, adjusted HR (95% CI) = 1.55 [1.24-1.93], p < 0.001) as compared to younger patients (4.8% vs. 5.7%; adjusted HR (95% CI) = 1.25 [1.05-1.49], p = 0.013), as a potential consequence of the significantly longer ischemia time observed during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the treatment of patients with STEMI, with a 16% reduction in PPCI procedures, with a larger reduction and a longer delay to treatment among elderly patients, which may have contributed to increase in-hospital and 30-day mortality during the pandemic.

Differences in diagnostication, and revascularisation of ischaemic heart disease in Western Denmark.

INTRODUCTION: In Denmark, the incidence of and mortality from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) has been declining. In this context, it is of interest to assess any regional differences in diagnostication and invasive treatment of IHD. METHODS: We intended to describe the diagnostication and invasive treatment of IHD in Western Denmark at the regional/municipal level using the Western Denmark Heart Registry. Coronary angiography (CAG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary arterial bypass grafting were registered from 2000 through 2019; cardiac multislice computed tomography (CMCT), from 2015 through 2019. RESULTS: Concerning the use of revascularisation for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), we found comparable regional activity levels but significant differences between individual municipalities. Furthermore, the use of CAG for chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) was significantly higher and the use of CMCT significantly lower in the North Denmark Region than in the Central and South Denmark Regions. CONCLUSION: We found differences in the rates of PCI for ACS at the municipal level but not between the Western Denmark regions. Furthermore, at the regional level, evaluation of chronic IHD differed regarding use of elective CAG and CMCT, and use of CMCT was not paralleled by a reduction in the number of CAG procedures. This may possibly prompt discussions on the strategy for invasive and non-invasive diagnosis of CCS and on targeted preventive measures. FUNDING: none TRIAL REGISTRATION. not relevant.

Sex Differences in 10-Year Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Drug-Eluting Stents: Insights From the DECADE Cooperation.

BACKGROUND: Although some studies have investigated sex-related outcomes up to 5 years after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), analyses at longer follow-up (ie, to 10 years) in large cohorts treated exclusively with drug-eluting stent (DES) platforms are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to define whether sex-related differences in long-term outcomes after PCI persist both in the DES era and at longer-term follow-up. METHODS: Individual data of patients treated with DES in 5 randomized controlled trials with 10-year follow-up were pooled. Patients were divided into 2 groups by sex. The analysis of individual participant data was performed using a 1-stage approach by entering a clustering effect by parent study in all univariable and multivariable models focusing on sex. The main outcomes of interest for this analysis included cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, and definite stent thrombosis to 10 years after PCI. Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate the time to first event, and differences between the 2 groups were tested with the log-rank test. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were calculated with a Cox proportional hazards model. Conventional multivariable analyses with adjustment for relevant variables were performed. RESULTS: Among 9700 patients undergoing PCI with DES implantation included in the present analysis, 2296 were women and 7404 were men. Through to 10 years, cardiovascular death occurred in 407 of the 2296 female patients and 1012 of the 7404 male patients (adjusted HR [HRadj], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.80-1.11]). Female sex was associated with a lower risk of repeat revascularization of the target lesion (HRadj, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.74-0.87]), target vessel (HRadj, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.76-0.87]), and nontarget vessels (HRadj, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.62-0.77]). Compared with male patients, female patients displayed an increased risk of myocardial infarction in the first 30 days after PCI with DES (HRadj, 1.65 [95% CI, 1.24-2.19]) but a comparable risk of myocardial infarction thereafter. The risk of definite stent thrombosis was not significantly different between female and male patients (HRadj, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.89-1.47]). CONCLUSIONS: Through to 10-year follow-up after PCI with DES, female patients are at increased risk of early myocardial infarction, receive fewer repeat revascularizations, and have no difference in cardiovascular mortality compared with male patients.

Five-Year Clinical Outcome of the Biodegradable Polymer Ultrathin Strut Sirolimus-Eluting Stent Compared to the Biodegradable Polymer Biolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients Treated With Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: From the SORT OUT VII Trial.

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stents were developed to improve safety and efficacy outcomes for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. However, few long-term follow-up efficacy studies are available. The study sought to investigate 5-year results from the SORT OUT VII trial (Scandinavian Organization for Randomized Trials With Clinical Outcome) comparing the biodegradable polymer ultrathin-strut sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (O-SES) versus the biodegradable polymer biolimus-eluting Nobori stent (N-BES). METHODS: This registry-based, randomized, multicenter, single-blinded, noninferiority trial compared O-SES and N-BES in an all-comer population. The composite primary end point, target lesion failure, consisted of cardiac death, myocardial infarction related to the target lesion, or target lesion revascularization within 1 year. Follow-up was extended to 5 years. RESULTS: Five-year follow-up was completed for 2521 patients (99.8%). Five-year target lesion failure did not differ between O-SES (12.4%) and N-BES (13.1%; rate ratio [RR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.75-1.18]). Cardiac death (RR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.67-1.34]), target myocardial infarction (RR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.76-1.71]), target lesion revascularization (RR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.67-1.21]), and definite stent thrombosis rates (RR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.41-1.33]) did not differ significantly between the 2 stents. Within the first year, definite ST was significantly lower for O-SES (0.4%) compared to N-BES (1.2%; RR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.12-0.92]), but no difference was from 1 through 5 years: O-SES 1.2% and N-BES 0.9% (RR, 1.28 [95% CI, 0.58-2.82]). CONCLUSIONS: Five years after treatment with biodegradable polymer stents, target lesion failure did not differ among O-SES and N-BES. Definite stent thrombosis was less often seen within the first year in the O-SES but the difference was not maintained after 5 years. REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01879358.

International randomized trial on the effect of revascularization or optimal medical therapy of chronic total coronary occlusions with myocardial ischemia - ISCHEMIA-CTO trial - rationale and design.

BACKGROUND: Chronic total occlusions (CTO) are frequent among patients with coronary artery disease. Revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is safe and feasible in experienced hands. However, randomized data are needed to demonstrate symptomatic as well as prognostic effect of CTO-PCI compared to optimal medical therapy alone. METHODS: This trial aims to evaluate the effect of CTO PCI in patients with a CTO lesion and target vessel diameter ≥ 2.5 mm, and myocardial ischemia in the relevant territory. First, all patients are subjected to optimal medical therapy (OMT) for at least for 3 months and non-CTO lesions are managed according to guidelines. Subsequently, prior to randomization myocardial ischemia and quality of life (Seattle Questionnaire (SAQ)) is assessed. Patients are divided into two cohorts based on their SAQ score and randomized to either OMT alone or OMT and CTO-PCI. Cohort A is defined as Low- or asymptomatic patients with a quality-of-life score > 60 and/or CCS class < 2, and more than 10 % ischemia in the left ventricle (LV). Cohort B is symptomatic patients with a quality-of-life score < 60 or CCS class angina > 1 and at least ischemia in 5% of the LV. The primary end-point in cohort A is a composite of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events, hospitalization for heart failure and malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The primary endpoint in cohort B is difference in quality of life 6 months after randomization. IMPLICATIONS: This trial is designed to investigate if CTO-PCI improves QoL and MACCE. Both positive and negative outcome of the trial will affect future guidelines and recommendations on how to treat patients with CTO.

The mega COMBO collaboration: An individual patient data pooled analysis of patients undergoing PCI with COMBO stent.

BACKGROUND: COMBO (OrbusNeich Medical, Hong Kong) is a dual-therapy coronary stent featuring sirolimus as antiproliferative drug and an anti-CD34+ antibody coating to attract endothelial progenitor cells favoring rapid stent re-endothelization. The Mega COMBO collaboration aimed to evaluate the performance of the COMBO stent in a large contemporary cohort of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Patient-level data of subjects undergoing PCI with the COMBO stent from the REMEDEE-Trial, REMEDEE-OCT, HARMONEE, REDUCE, SORT OUT X, REMEDEE-Registry and MASCOT studies were pooled together. The primary endpoint was 1-year target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiovascular death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI) or clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR). Secondary outcomes were the individual components of the primary endpoint and stent thrombosis (ST). Endpoints were evaluated against performance goals based on the EAPCI (the European Association of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) recommendations for new drug-eluting stents. RESULTS: A total of 6753 patients (mean age 63.7 ± 11.4 years, 23% women) were included. At 1-year follow-up, TLF occurred in 303 (4.6%) patients. The rates of cardiovascular death, TV-MI, and CD-TLR were 1.3%, 1.8%, and 2.5%, respectively. The rate of definite/probable ST was 0.73%, early ST (<1 month) was 0.48%, while late ST (1-12 months) was 0.26%. The performance goals were met for all of the evaluated endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: This large patient-level pooled analysis provides a comprehensive outline of the performance of the dual-therapy COMBO stent. The low rates of primary and secondary endpoints suggest that this stent technology may be a good alternative to other contemporary drug eluting coronary stent platforms.

Soluble ST2 in plasma is associated with post-procedural no-or-slow reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

AIM: The no-or-slow-reflow phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with more extensive myocardial injury in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Soluble suppression of tumourigenicity 2 (sST2) is released in acute myocardial response to injury, and an increase in plasma level in the initial phase of STEMI is associated with increased mortality and risk of heart failure. We have therefore explored the association of pre-intervention plasma sST2 with the post-procedural no-or-slow-reflow phenomenon in patients with STEMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included consecutive patients with verified STEMI from two tertiary heart centres. Blood samples were collected at admission before angiography. Post-procedural coronary flow was assessed according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) classification for STEMI. Patients were divided into two groups: post-procedural TIMI 0-2 as no-or-slow reflow and TIMI 3 as normal reflow. The association between sST2 and TIMI flow was explored using multiple logistic regression. A total of 1607 patients with available TIMI flow classification were included in the analysis. Normal reflow was seen in 1520 (94.6%), while 87 (5.4%) had no-or-slow reflow. No-or-slow-reflow patients had higher all-cause 30-day mortality [10 (11%) vs. 65 (4.3%), P = 0.006]. Pre-procedural sST2 was higher in the no-or-slow-flow group [47 ng/mL, interquartile range (IQR, 33-83) vs. 39 ng/mL (IQR 29-55), P < 0.001] and was independently associated with post-procedural no-or-slow flow [two-fold sST2 increase: odds ratio 1.44 (1.15-1.78), P = 0.0012]. CONCLUSION: In patients with STEMI, the sST2 level at admission before coronary angiography is independently associated with the post-procedural no-or-slow-reflow phenomenon.

Self-reported health and adverse outcomes among women living with symptoms of angina or unspecific chest pain but no diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease-findings from the DenHeart study.

AIMS: The objectives were to describe differences in self-reported health at discharge between women diagnosed with angina or unspecific chest pain and investigate the association between self-reported health and adverse outcomes within 3 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from a national cohort study were used, including data from the DenHeart survey combined with 3 years of register-based follow-up. The population included two groups of women with symptoms of angina but no diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease at discharge (women with angina and women with unspecific chest pain). Self-reported health measured with validated instruments was combined with register-based follow-up on adverse outcomes (a composite of unplanned cardiac readmissions, revascularization, or all-cause mortality). Associations between self-reported health and time to first adverse outcomes were investigated with Cox proportional hazard models, reported as hazards ratios with 95% confidence intervals. In total, 1770 women completed the questionnaire (49%). Women with angina (n = 931) reported significantly worse self-reported health on several outcomes compared to women with unspecific chest pain (n = 839). Within the 3 years follow-up, women with angina were more often readmitted (29 vs. 23%, P = 0.011) and more underwent revascularization (10 vs. 1%, P < 0.001), whereas mortality rates were similar (4 vs. 4%, P = 0.750). Self-reported health (physical and mental) was associated with adverse outcomes between both groups (on most instruments). CONCLUSION: Women with angina reported significantly worse self-reported health on most instruments compared to women with unspecific chest pain. Adverse outcomes varied between groups, with women diagnosed with angina experiencing more events. REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01926145).