Single-Centre Registry Analysis of Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Their Coronary Bypass Grafts.

Background: The study assessed the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to bypass grafts, focusing on all-cause mortality and target vessel failure (TVF) rates. Methods: A single-centre registry analysis included 364 patients who underwent PCI on coronary bypass grafts between 2008 and 2019. The study analyzed all-cause mortality and TVF, which encompassed target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, and medically treated occluded target graft post-PCI. Results: The median age of the patients was 71 years (interquartile range: [IQR] 65-78), with 82.1% being male. Most patients (94.8%) received PCI on saphenous vein grafts, and the median graft age was 13.0 years (IQR: 8.4-17.6). Drug-eluting stents were used more frequently (54.4%) than bare-metal stents (45.6%), with a median stent diameter of 3.5 mm (IQR: 3-4) and length of 19 mm (IQR: 18-28). Outcome differences were not significant for PCI sites (aorto-ostial, graft body, anastomosis), use of drug-eluting stents, or use of protection devices. The 1-year mortality rate was 3.3%, whereas the combined rate of TVF or death was 20.3%. After 5 years, the mortality rate increased to 14.9%, and the combined TVF or death rate rose to 40.3%. Multivariable analyses revealed that chronic kidney disease was independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.61, P = 0.007), whereas hypertension (HR 2.42, 95% CI 1.32-4.42, P = 0.004) and increased stent length (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02, P = 0.007) were independently associated with the TVF-or-mortality outcome. Conclusions: Patients undergoing PCI to bypass grafts experience considerable adverse outcomes over a 5-year period, highlighting the need for further strategies in managing this high-risk population.

Contexte: L'étude visait à évaluer l'issue des patients ayant subi une intervention coronarienne percutanée (ICP) sur un greffon coronarien, en mettant l'accent sur le taux de mortalité toutes causes confondues et le taux d'échecs de revascularisation du vaisseau cible (EVC). Méthodologie: Une analyse du registre d'un seul établissement a porté sur 364 patients ayant subi une ICP sur un greffon coronarien de 2008 à 2019. L'étude a analysé la mortalité toutes causes confondues et les EVC, qui comprenaient la revascularisation de la lésion cible, la revascularisation du vaisseau cible et le traitement médical de l'occlusion du greffon coronarien cible après l'ICP. Résultats: L'âge médian des patients était de 71 ans (intervalle interquartile [IIQ] de 65 à 78) et 82,1 % d'entre eux étaient de sexe masculin. La plupart des patients (94,8 %) avaient subi une ICP sur un greffon de veine saphène; l'âge médian des greffons était de 13,0 ans (IIQ de 8,4 à 17,6). Les endoprothèses médicamentées avaient été utilisées plus fréquemment (54,4 %) que les endoprothèses non médicamentées (45,6 %), le diamètre médian de l'endoprothèse étant de 3,5 mm (IIQ de 3 à 4) et sa longueur, de 19 mm (IIQ de 18 à 28). Les différences pour ce qui est de l'issue clinique n'étaient pas significatives à l'égard des sites d'ICP (aorto-ostial, corps du greffon, anastomose), de l'utilisation d'une endoprothèse médicamentée, ou encore de l'utilisation de dispositifs de protection. Le taux de mortalité à 1 an était de 3,3 %, alors que le taux combiné d'EVC ou de décès était de 20,3 %. Après 5 ans, le taux de mortalité avait augmenté à 14,9 %, alors que le taux combiné d'EVC ou de décès s'élevait à 40,3 %. Les analyses multivariables ont révélé que la néphropathie chronique était indépendamment associée au décès (rapport des risques instantanés [RRI] de 1,74, intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % de 1,16 à 2,61, p = 0,007), alors que l'hypertension (RRI de 2,42, IC à 95 % de 1,32 à 4,42, p = 0,004) et une longueur accrue de l'endoprothèse (RRI de 1,01, IC à 95 % de 1,00 à 1,02, p = 0,007) étaient indépendamment associées à une issue d'EVC ou de décès. Conclusions: Les patients qui ont subi une ICP sur un greffon coronarien présentent des complications considérables sur une période de 5 ans, ce qui souligne le besoin de mettre en place davantage de stratégies de prise en charge pour cette population à risque élevé.

Incidence and Predictors of Outcome in the Treatment of In-Stent Restenosis with Drug-Eluting Balloons, a Real-Life Single-Centre Study.

Objectives: To determine the one-year and five-year occurrence and prognosticators of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: composition of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, and vessel thrombosis), mortality, and target lesion revascularization (TLR) in patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR) treated with drug-eluting balloons (DEBs). Background: DEBs have become an emerging therapeutic option for ISR. We report the results of a single-center retrospective study on the treatment of ISR with DEB. Methods: 94 consecutive patients with ISR treated with the paclitaxel-eluting balloon were retrospectively studied between August 2011 and December 2019. Results: The one-year MACE rate was 11.8%, and the five-year MACE rate was 39.8%. The one-year mortality was 5.3%, and the five-year mortality rate was 21.5%. The one-year TLR rate was 4.3%, and the five-year rate was 18.7%. The univariable-Cox proportional hazard models for TLR showed lesion length, and the number of DEBs per vessel is associated with adverse outcomes with H.R. of 1.038 (1.007-1.069) and 4.7 (1.6-13.8), respectively. Conclusion: Our data indicate that at one year, DEBs provide an effective alternative to stenting for in-stent restenosis. Our five-year data, representing one of the longest-term follow-ups of DEB use, demonstrate high rates of MACE. The high five-year MACE reflects all-cause mortality in a high-risk population. This is offset by a reasonable five-year rate of TLR, indicating that DEB provides both short-term and long-term benefits in ISR.

Stable Patients With STEMI Rarely Require Intensive-Care-Level Therapy After Primary PCI.

Background: The disposition of patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is commonly the coronary care unit. Recent studies have suggested that low-risk STEMI patients could be managed in a lower-acuity setting immediately after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We sought to determine the frequency of downstream intensive-care therapy used in our "stable" STEMI patients post-PCI. Methods: A single-centre, retrospective review was completed of consecutive patients who underwent primary PCI for STEMI between 2013 and 2016. Post-PCI, patients were defined as being stable if they had not required intensive-care therapy or suffered significant complications. Intensive-care therapies and complications were defined as invasive/noninvasive ventilation, pacing, cardiac arrest, use of vasopressors/inotropes, dialysis, stroke, or major bleeding. This group of stable patients had their course followed to discharge. Results: A total of 731 patients presented with STEMI for primary PCI. Of these, 132 patients (18%) required intensive-care therapies and/or had complications prior to PCI and were excluded. After PCI, 599 STEMI patients (82%) were defined as stable, according to the above definition. Of these, 11 patients (1.8%) required intensive-care therapies during their hospitalization. Zwolle scores were significantly higher in patients with complications (6.3 ± 4.4 vs 2.0 ± 1.5, P < 0.0001). The most frequent intensive-care complications and therapies were cardiac arrest (7 patients, 1%) and vasopressor use (4 patients, 0.7%). These complications most frequently occurred on the first admission day (6 patients, 1%). Conclusions: Patients who are stable at the completion of their primary PCI rarely develop complications that require intensive care. These patients are easily identified for triage to a lower-acuity setting, alleviating congestion in cardiac care units and reducing hospitalization costs.

Introduction: Les patients qui subissent un infarctus du myocarde avec élévation du segment ST (STEMI) aboutissent souvent à l'unité de soins coronariens. Des études récentes ont montré que les patients exposés à un faible risque de STEMI pouvaient être pris en charge dans les soins de faible acuité immédiatement après l'intervention coronarienne percutanée (ICP). Nous avons cherché à déterminer la fréquence des traitements de soins intensifs en aval utilisés après notre ICP chez les patients STEMI qui étaient dans un état stable. Méthodes: Une étude rétrospective unicentrique a été réalisée auprès de patients consécutifs qui subissaient une ICP primaire en raison d'un STEMI entre 2013 et 2016. Après l'ICP, les patients étaient considérés être dans un état stable s'ils n'avaient pas besoin de traitements de soins intensifs ou ne souffraient pas de complications importantes. Les traitements de soins intensifs et les complications étaient définis par la présence de la ventilation effractive ou non effractive, de la stimulation cardiaque, de l'arrêt cardiaque, de l'utilisation de vasopresseurs ou d'inotropes, de la dialyse, de l'accident vasculaire cérébral et de l'hémorragie majeure. Ce groupe de patients dans un état stable obtenaient leur sortie de l'hôpital. Résultats: Un total de 731 patients STEMI ont subi une ICP primaire. Parmi eux, 132 patients (18 %) ont eu besoin de traitements de soins intensifs et/ou ont eu des complications avant l'ICP et ont été exclus. Après l'ICP, 599 patients STEMI (82 %) ont été considérés comme étant dans un état stable, conformément à la définition ci-dessus. Parmi eux, 11 patients (1,8 %) ont eu besoin de traitements de soins intensifs durant leur hospitalisation. Les indices de Zwolle étaient significativement plus élevés chez les patients qui avaient des complications (6,3 ± 4,4 vs 2,0 ± 1,5, P < 0,0001). Les complications et les traitements aux soins intensifs les plus fréquents étaient l'arrêt cardiaque (sept patients, 1 %) et l'utilisation de vasopresseurs (quatre patients, 0,7 %). Ces complications sont survenues plus fréquemment à la première journée de l'admission (six patients, 1 %). Conclusions: Les patients qui sont dans un état stable après l'ICP primaire ont rarement des complications qui exigent des soins intensifs. L'orientation de ces patients, facilement repérés au triage, vers des soins de faible acuité, allège la congestion aux unités de soins intensifs et réduit les coûts d'hospitalisation.

Long-term outcomes following ostial left anterior descending artery intervention with or without crossover to left-main.

BACKGROUND: Ostial left anterior descending (LAD) artery lesions are a critical area for coronary stenting, given that the location subtends a large area of the myocardium and can also be more technically challenging. It remains controversial whether crossover stenting of ostial LAD back into the left-main (LM) is advantageous over stenting the ostium alone. METHODS: To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of stenting ostial LAD lesions, we retrospectively reviewed all ostial LAD lesions cases at QEII Health Science Centre between 2008 and 2018. Specifically, we compared the outcomes in those patients that had left main stent crossover vs. ostial stenting (OS) alone. RESULTS: The total number of patients included in the study was 175, with 25 patients (14%) having a crossover to the LM and 150 (86%) having OS. There were more patients with previous CABG (24%) in the crossover group compared to the OS group (9.2%) (P = 0.042). The one-year MACE was not significantly different between CO vs. OS (13.3% (10.5-16.1) vs. 12% (5.5-18.5)). The five-year MACE was numerically higher, although statistically not significant, in CO vs. OS (19.3 (15.9-22.7) vs. 25.9 (16.6-35.2)). CONCLUSION: This study shows that percutaneous intervention provides reasonable long-term outcomes and low rates of repeat revascularization for isolated ostial LAD lesions, with no noticeable difference in outcomes with crossover stenting into the LM vs. OS alone. A larger, prospective study may be required to determine the optimal strategy for treating ostial LAD lesions.

Use and outcomes of dual antiplatelet therapy for acute coronary syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease: insights from the Canadian Observational Antiplatelet Study (COAPT).

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The optimal regimen of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in CKD poses a challenge due to the increased bleeding and clotting tendencies, particularly since patients with CKD were underrepresented in randomized controlled trials. We examined the practice patterns of DAPT prescription stratified by the presence of CKD. The multicentre prospective Canadian Observational Antiplatelet Study (COAPT) enrolled patients with ACS between December 2011 and May 2013. The present study is a subgroup analysis comparing type and duration of DAPT and associated outcomes among patients with and without CKD (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, calculated by CKD-EPI). Patients with CKD (275/1921, 14.3%) were prescribed prasugrel/ticagrelor less (18.5% vs 25.8%, p = 0.01) and had a shorter duration of DAPT therapy versus patients without CKD (median 382 vs 402 days, p = 0.003). CKD was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 12 months (p < 0.001) but not bleeding when compared to patients without CKD. CKD was associated with MACE in both patients on prasugrel/ticagrelor (p = 0.017) and those on clopidogrel (p < 0.001) (p for heterogeneity = 0.70). CKD was associated with increased bleeding only among patients receiving prasugrel/ticagrelor (p = 0.007), but not among those receiving clopidogrel (p = 0.64) (p for heterogeneity = 0.036). Patients with CKD had a shorter DAPT duration and were less frequently prescribed potent P2Y12 inhibitors than patients without CKD. Overall, compared with patients without CKD, patients with CKD had higher rates of MACE and similar bleeding rates. However, among those prescribed more potent P2Y12 inhibitors, CKD was associated with more bleeding than those without CKD. Further studies are needed to better define the benefit/risk evaluation, and establish a more tailored and evidence-based DAPT regimen for this high-risk patient group.

Cardiovascular Outcomes in Nova Scotia During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic response to healthcare delivery on outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. METHODS: This is a population-based cohort study performed in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada (population 979,499), between the pre-COVID (March 1, 2017-March 16, 2020) and in-COVID (March 17, 2020-December 31, 2020) periods. Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with new-onset or existing cardiovascular disease were included for comparison between periods. The main outcome measures included the following: cardiovascular emergency department visits or hospitalizations, mortality, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. RESULTS: In the first month of the in-COVID period, emergency department visits (n = 51,750) for cardiac symptoms decreased by 20.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.0%-27.0%, P < 0.001). Cardiovascular hospitalizations (n = 20,609) declined by 48.1% (95% CI 40.4% to 54.9%, P < 0.001). The in-hospital mortality rate increased in patients with cardiovascular admissions in secondary care institutions by 55.1% (95% CI 10.1%-118%, P = 0.013). A decline of 20.4%-44.0% occurred in cardiovascular surgical/interventional procedures. The number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (n = 5528) increased from a monthly mean of 115 ± 15 to 136 ± 14, beginning in May 2020. Mortality for ambulatory patients awaiting cardiac intervention (n = 14,083) increased from 0.16% (n = 12,501) to 2.49% (n = 361) in the in-COVID period (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality during restrictions maintained during the COVID-19 period, in an area with a low burden of COVID-19. As the healthcare system recovers or enters subsequent waves of COVID-19, these findings should inform communication to the public regarding cardiovascular symptoms, and policy for delivery of cardiovascular care.

CONTEXTE: Cette étude visait à déterminer les répercussions de la réponse à la pandémie de COVID-19 sur la prestation des soins de santé et son incidence sur les résultats obtenus par les patients atteints d'une maladie cardiovasculaire. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Il s'agit d'une étude de cohorte représentative de la population réalisée dans la province de la Nouvelle-Écosse, au Canada (population de 979 499 habitants), entre la période précédant le début de la pandémie de COVID-19 (du 1er mars 2017 au 16 mars 2020) et la période de pandémie (du 17 mars 2020 au 31 décembre 2020). Des patients adultes (âge ≥ 18 ans) atteints d'une maladie cardiovasculaire préexistante ou d'apparition récente ont été inclus pour la comparaison entre les périodes. Les principaux paramètres d'évaluation comprenaient les visites ou hospitalisations dans un service d'urgences cardiovasculaires, la mortalité et l'arrêt cardiaque en milieu extrahospitalier. RÉSULTATS: Au cours du premier mois de la période de pandémie, les visites aux services des urgences (n = 51 750) pour des symptômes cardiaques ont diminué de 20,8 % (intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % : 14,0 % ­ 27,0 %, p < 0,001). Les hospitalisations en raison d'un événement cardiovasculaire (n = 20 609) ont décliné de 48,1 % (IC à 95 % : 40,4 % ­ 54,9 %, p < 0,001). Le taux de mortalité hospitalière parmi les patients admis dans des établissements de soins secondaires a augmenté de 55,1 % (IC à 95 % : 10,1 % ­ 118 %, p = 0,013). Une baisse de 20,4 à 44,0 % du nombre d'interventions chirurgicales ou interventionnelles visant à prendre en charge un événement cardiovasculaire a également été enregistrée. Le nombre d'arrêts cardiaques survenus en milieu extrahospitalier (n = 5 528) est passé d'une moyenne mensuelle de 115 ± 15 à 136 ± 14, à compter de mai 2020. La mortalité des patients ambulatoires en attente d'une intervention cardiaque (n = 14 083) a augmenté, passant de 0,16 % (n = 12 501) à 2,49 % (n = 361) pendant la période de pandémie (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSIONS: Cette étude révèle une augmentation de la morbidité et de la mortalité cardiovasculaires durant le maintien des restrictions liées à la COVID-19 dans une région où le fardeau associé à cette maladie est faible. À mesure que le système de santé se rétablit ou affronte les vagues subséquentes de COVID-19, ces résultats devraient éclairer les communications au public concernant les symptômes cardiovasculaires et orienter la politique de prestation de soins cardiovasculaires.

Development of Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality and Readmission Models for Public Reporting on Hospital Performance in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Given changes in the care and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients over the past several decades, we sought to develop prediction models that could be used to generate accurate risk-adjusted mortality and readmission outcomes for hospitals in current practice across Canada. METHODS: A Canadian national expert panel was convened to define appropriate AMI patients for reporting and develop prediction models. Preliminary candidate variable evaluation was conducted using Ontario patients hospitalized with a most responsible diagnosis of AMI from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2018. National data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information was used to develop AMI prediction models. The main outcomes were 30-day all-cause in-hospital mortality and 30-day urgent all-cause readmission. Discrimination of these models (measured by c-statistics) was compared with that of existing Canadian Institute for Health Information models in the same study cohort. RESULTS: The AMI mortality model was assessed in 54,240 Ontario AMI patients and 153,523 AMI patients across Canada. We observed a 30-day in-hospital mortality rate of 6.3%, and a 30-day all-cause urgent readmission rate of 10.7% in Canada. The final Canadian AMI mortality model included 12 variables and had a c-statistic of 0.834. For readmission, the model had 13 variables and a c-statistic of 0.679. Discrimination of the new AMI models had higher c-statistics compared with existing models (c-statistic 0.814 for mortality; 0.673 for readmission). CONCLUSIONS: In this national collaboration, we developed mortality and readmission models that are suitable for profiling performance of hospitals treating AMI patients in Canada.

CONTEXTE: Compte tenu des changements apportés au cours des dernières décennies aux soins des patients ayant subi un infarctus aigu du myocarde (IAM) et aux issues d'un tel événement, nous avons voulu élaborer des modèles prédictifs pouvant servir à calculer de façon précise les résultats relatifs à la mortalité et aux réadmissions, ajustés selon les risques, pour les hôpitaux dans la pratique actuelle au Canada. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Un groupe national d'experts canadiens a été mis sur pied et a reçu le mandat de définir les critères appropriés applicables aux patients ayant subi un IAM aux fins de déclaration des cas et d'élaborer des modèles prédictifs. L'évaluation préliminaire des variables proposées a été effectuée à partir de patients hospitalisés en Ontario entre le 1er avril 2015 et le 31 mars 2018 chez lesquels l'IAM était le diagnostic principal à l'origine de l'hospitalisation. Les données à l'échelle nationale de l'Institut canadien d'information sur la santé (ICIS) ont été utilisées pour élaborer des modèles prédictifs d'IAM. Les deux principales issues évaluées étaient la mortalité hospitalière toutes causes confondues à 30 jours et la réadmission urgente toutes causes confondues à 30 jours. Le pouvoir discriminant de ces modèles (mesuré par la statistique C) a été comparé à celui des modèles existants de l'ICIS dans la même cohorte de l'étude. RÉSULTATS: Le modèle de mortalité par IAM a été évalué auprès de patients ayant subi un IAM, dont 54 240 en Ontario et 153 523 dans l'ensemble du Canada. Nous avons observé un taux de mortalité hospitalière à 30 jours de 6,3 % et un taux de réadmission urgente à 30 jours toutes causes confondues de 10,7 % au Canada. Le modèle canadien final de prédiction de la mortalité par IAM était constitué de 12 variables et avait une statistique C de 0,834. Pour la réadmission, le modèle comportait 13 variables et présentait une statistique C de 0,679. Le pouvoir discriminant des nouveaux modèles d'IAM présentait une statistique C supérieure à celle des modèles existants (statistique C de 0,814 pour la mortalité et de 0,673 pour la réadmission). CONCLUSIONS: Dans le cadre de cette collaboration nationale, nous avons élaboré des modèles prédictifs de la mortalité et de la réadmission hospitalière qui permettent d'établir un profil des résultats obtenus par les hôpitaux traitant des patients ayant subi un IAM au Canada.

Acute kidney injury after radial or femoral artery access in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: AKI-SAFARI.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicating primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an independent predictor of short- and long-term outcomes in patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Prior studies suggest a lower incidence of AKI in patients undergoing PCI through radial artery compared to femoral artery access; however, no randomized clinical trials have specifically investigated this question in patients presenting with STEMI. METHODS: To determine whether radial access (RA) is associated with a reduced frequency of AKI following primary PCI, we performed a substudy of the SAFARI-STEMI trial. The SAFARI-STEMI trial was an open-label, multicenter trial, which randomized patients presenting with STEMI to RA or femoral access (FA), between July 2011 and December 2018. The primary outcome of this post hoc analysis was the incidence of AKI, defined as an absolute (>0.5 mg/dL) or relative (>25%) increase in serum creatinine from baseline. RESULTS: In total 2,285 (99.3%) of the patients enrolled in SAFARI-STEMI were included in the analysis-1,132 RA and 1,153 FA. AKI occurred in 243 (21.5%) RA patients and 226 (19.6%) FA patients (RR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.78-1.07, P = .27). An absolute increase in serum creatinine >0.5 mg/dL was seen in 49 (4.3%) radial and 52 (4.5%) femoral patients (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.71-1.53, P = .83). AKI was lower in both groups when the KDIGO definition was applied (RA 11.9% vs FA 10.8%; RR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.72-1.13, P = .38). CONCLUSIONS: Among STEMI patients enrolled in the SAFARI-STEMI trial, there was no association between catheterization access site and AKI, irrespective of the definition applied. These results challenge the independent association between catheterization access site and AKI noted in prior investigations.

Antithrombotic Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: Findings From the CONNECT AF+PCI Study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), selecting an antithrombotic regimen requires balancing risks of ischemic cardiac events, stroke, and bleeding. METHODS: We studied 467 patients with AF undergoing PCI in the time period from December 2015 to July 2018 identified via a chart audit by 47 Canadian cardiologists in the CONNECT AF+PCI (the Coordinated National Network to Engage Interventional Cardiologists in the Antithrombotic Treatment of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) study, to determine patterns of initial antithrombotic therapy selection. RESULTS: The median (25th, 75th percentile) CHADS2 score was 2 (1, 3), and PCI was performed in the setting of acute coronary syndrome in 62.1%. Triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT) was the initial treatment in 62.7%, dual-pathway therapy in 25.7%, and dual antiplatelet therapy in 11.6%, with a temporal increase in use of dual-pathway therapy during the course of the study; median intended TAT duration was 1 (1, 3) month. Compared with patients selected for TAT, patients selected for dual-pathway therapy were less likely to have prior myocardial infarction (35.8% vs 25.8%, P = 0.045) and prior PCI (33.8% vs 23.3%, P = 0.03), and they received shorter total length of stents (38 [23, 56] vs 30 [20, 46] mm, P = 0.03). Patients selected for dual-pathway therapy had a higher prevalence of prior stroke/transient ischemic attack (13.0% vs 23.3%, P = 0.01). There was no difference in prevalence of anemia (21.5% vs 25.8%, P = 0.30). Use of dual-pathway therapy was similar among patients with acute coronary syndrome and those with stable disease (24.1% vs 28.2%, P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-quarter of AF patients undergoing PCI are treated with dual-pathway therapy in Canadian practice, with its use increasing during the studied period. Patients selected for dual-pathway therapy have less-complex coronary disease history and intervention.

INTRODUCTION: Les patients atteints de fibrillation auriculaire (FA) qui subissent une intervention coronarienne percutanée (ICP) et choisissent un schéma posologique antithrombotique ont besoin de peser les risques d'événements cardiaques d'origine ischémique, d'accidents vasculaires cérébraux et d'hémorragies. MÉTHODES: Les 467 patients atteints de FA ayant subi une ICP de décembre 2015 à juillet 2018 qui ont fait l'objet de notre étude ont été trouvés lors de la vérification des dossiers par 47 cardiologues canadiens de l'étude CONNECT AF+PCI ( Co ordinated N ational N etwork to E ngage Interventional C ardiologists in the Antithrombotic T reatment of Patients With A trial F ibrillation Undergoing P ercutaneous C oronary I ntervention) pour déterminer les schémas de sélection du traitement antithrombotique initial. RÉSULTATS: Le score CHADS2 médian (25e, 75e percentile) était de 2 (1, 3), et l'ICP avait été réalisée dans le cadre du syndrome coronarien aigu chez 62,1 % des patients. La trithérapie antithrombotique (TTA) était le traitement initial chez 62,7 % des patients, la bithérapie, chez 25,7 % des patients, et la bithérapie antiplaquettaire, chez 11,6 % des patients, mais il y avait une augmentation temporelle dans l'utilisation de la bithérapie durant l'étude; la durée médiane prévue de la TTA était de 1 (1, 3) mois. Comparativement aux patients sélectionnés pour la TTA, les patients sélectionnés pour la bithérapie étaient moins susceptibles d'avoir eu un infarctus du myocarde précédent (35,8 % vs 25,8 %, P = 0,045) et une ICP précédente (33,8 % vs 23,3 %, P = 0,03), et recevaient des endoprothèses de longueur totale plus courte (38 [23, 56] vs 30 [20, 46] mm, P = 0,03). Les patients sélectionnés pour la bithérapie montraient une prévalence plus élevée d'accidents vasculaires cérébraux/accidents ischémiques transitoires (13,0 % vs 23,3 %, P = 0,01). Il n'existait aucune différence dans la prévalence de l'anémie (21,5 % vs 25,8 %, P = 0,30). L'utilisation de la bithérapie était similaire chez les patients atteints d'un syndrome coronarien aigu et chez les patients dont la maladie était stable (24,1 % vs 28,2 %, P = 0,32). CONCLUSIONS: Dans la pratique canadienne, environ le quart des patients atteints de FA qui subissent une ICP sont traités par bithérapie, mais durant la période étudiée, son utilisation avait augmenté. Les patients sélectionnés pour la bithérapie ont des antécédents et des interventions liées aux maladies coronariennes moins complexes.

Guiding Cardiac Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Ethics Shapes Our Health System Response.

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised ethical questions for the cardiovascular leader and practitioner. Attention has been redirected from a system that focuses on individual patient benefit toward one that focuses on protecting society as a whole. Challenging resource allocation questions highlight the need for a clearly articulated ethics framework that integrates principled decision making into how different cardiovascular care services are prioritized. A practical application of the principles of harm minimisation, fairness, proportionality, respect, reciprocity, flexibility, and procedural justice is provided, and a model for prioritisation of the restoration of cardiovascular services is outlined. The prioritisation model may be used to determine how and when cardiovascular services should be continued or restored. There should be a focus on an iterative and responsive approach to broader health care system needs, such as other disease groups and local outbreaks.

Cardiac Rehabilitation During the COVID-19 Era: Guidance on Implementing Virtual Care.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs across Canada have suspended in-person services as a result of large-scale physical distancing recommendations designed to flatten the COVID-19 pandemic curve. Virtual cardiac rehabilitation (VCR) offers an alternate mechanism of care delivery, capable of providing similar patient outcomes and safety profiles compared with centre-based programs. To minimize care gaps, all centres should consider developing and implementing a VCR program. The process of this rapid implementation, however, can be daunting. Centres should initially focus on the collation, utilization, and repurposing of existing resources, equipment, and technology. Once established, programs should then focus on ensuring that quality indicators are met and care processes are protocolized. This should be followed by the development of sustainable VCR solutions to account for care gaps that existed before COVID-19, and to improve cardiac rehabilitation delivery, moving forward. This article reviews the potential challenges and obstacles of this process and aims to provide pragmatic guidance to aid clinicians and administrators during this challenging time.

Precautions and Procedures for Coronary and Structural Cardiac Interventions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guidance from Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology.

The globe is currently in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. This pandemic has placed considerable stress on health care resources and providers. This document from the Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology- Association Canadienne de Cardiologie d'intervention, specifically addresses the implications for the care of patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key principles of this document are to maintain essential interventional cardiovascular care while minimizing risks of COVID-19 to patients and staff and maintaining the overall health care resources. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, procedures will be increased or reduced based on the current level of restriction to health care services. Although some consistency across the country is desirable, provincial and regional considerations will influence how these recommendations are implemented. We believe the framework and recommendations in this document will provide crucial guidance for clinicians and policy makers on the management of coronary and structural procedures in the CCL as the COVID-19 pandemic escalates and eventually abates.

Safety and Efficacy of Femoral Access vs Radial Access in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The SAFARI-STEMI Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a survival benefit associated with radial access compared with femoral access remains controversial. Objective: To assess whether there is a survival benefit when radial access is used instead of femoral access among patients with STEMI referred for primary PCI. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial was conducted at 5 PCI centers in Canada. In total, 2292 patients with STEMI referred for primary PCI were enrolled between July 2011 and December 2018, with a 30-day follow-up. The primary analyses were conducted based on the intention-to-treat population. Interventions: Patients were randomized to radial access (n = 1136) or to femoral access (n = 1156) for PCI. Main Outcomes and Measures: Initially, the primary outcome was bleeding, but this outcome was modified to 30-day all-cause mortality following the recommendation of the granting agency. Secondary outcomes included recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction-defined major or minor bleeding. Results: Among the 2292 patients enrolled, the mean (SD) age of the patients randomized to radial access was 61.6 (12.3) years and to femoral access was 62.0 (12.1) years, with 883 male patients in the radial access and 901 male patients in the femoral access group. The trial was stopped early following a futility analysis. Primary PCI was performed in 1082 of 1136 patients (95.2%) in the radial access group and 1109 of 1156 patients (95.9%) in the femoral access group. Bivalirudin was administered to 1001 patients (88.1%) in the radial access group and to 1068 patients (92.4%) in the femoral access group, whereas glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors were administered in only 69 patients (6.1%) in the radial access group and 68 patients (5.9%) in the femoral access group. A vascular closure device was used in 789 patients (68.3%) in the femoral group. The primary outcome, 30-day all-cause mortality, occurred in 17 patients (1.5%) assigned to radial access and in 15 patients (1.3%) assigned to femoral access (relative risk [RR], 1.15; 95% CI, 0.58-2.30; P = .69). There were no significant differences between patients assigned to radial and femoral access in the rates of reinfarction (1.8% vs 1.6%; RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.57-2.00; P = .83), stroke (1.0% vs 0.4%; RR, 2.24; 95% CI, 0.78-6.42; P = .12), and bleeding (1.4% vs 2.0%; RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.38-1.33; P = .28). Conclusions and Relevance: No significant differences were found for survival or other clinical end points at 30 days after the use of radial access vs femoral access in patients with STEMI referred for primary PCI. However, small absolute differences in end points cannot be definitively refuted given the premature termination of the trial. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01398254.

2019 Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology Guidelines on the Acute Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Focused Update on Regionalization and Reperfusion.

Rapid reperfusion of the infarct-related artery is the cornerstone of therapy for the management of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Canada's geography presents unique challenges for timely delivery of reperfusion therapy for STEMI patients. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology STEMI guideline was developed to provide advice regarding the optimal acute management of STEMI patients irrespective of where they are initially identified: in the field, at a non-percutaneous coronary intervention-capable centre or at a percutaneous coronary intervention-capable centre. We had also planned to evaluate and incorporate sex and gender considerations in the development of our recommendations. Unfortunately, inadequate enrollment of women in randomized trials, lack of publication of main outcomes stratified according to sex, and lack of inclusion of gender as a study variable in the available literature limited the feasibility of such an approach. The Grading Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to develop specific evidence-based recommendations for the early identification of STEMI patients, practical aspects of patient transport, regional reperfusion decision-making, adjunctive prehospital interventions (oxygen, opioids, antiplatelet therapy), and procedural aspects of mechanical reperfusion (access site, thrombectomy, antithrombotic therapy, extent of revascularization). Emphasis is placed on integrating these recommendations as part of an organized regional network of STEMI care and the development of appropriate reperfusion and transportation pathways for any given region. It is anticipated that these guidelines will serve as a practical template to develop systems of care capable of providing optimal treatment for a wide range of STEMI patients.

Computed Tomography Perfusion Aids in the Prognostication of Comatose Postcardiac Arrest Patients.

Early assessment of the potential for neurologic recovery in comatose cardiac arrest patients (CCAP) has been a challenge despite significant evolution in management and imaging techniques. The purpose of study was to determine if the use of computed tomography perfusion (CTP) in CCAPs is feasible and if this technique can predict the likelihood that CCAPs will have a devastating outcome at hospital discharge. We prospectively enrolled 10 newly admitted comatose adults who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and were treated with standard therapeutic hypothermia protocols. Patients underwent CTP of the head within 6 hours after finishing therapeutic hypothermia treatment. The imaging findings were compared with the results of a clinical assessment, as well as the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at hospital discharge. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for CTP were calculated to predict clinical outcome. Eight patients had an mRS score of ≥5, and 2 patients had an mRS score of ≤2 at hospital discharge. CTP predicted a good clinical outcome in both patients with an mRS score of ≤2. The area under the curve (AUC) for plain computed tomography of the head, computerized tomography angiogram 4-point scale, computerized tomography angiogram 7-point scale, CTP of the whole brain, and CTP of the brainstem for predicting the results of the immediate clinical assessment were 0.76, 0.83, 0.67, 0.83, and 1.0, respectively. The AUCs for predicting outcome at discharge were 0.69, 0.63, 0.56, 0.63, 0.63, and 0.69, respectively. In conclusion, our pilot study showed that CTP is feasible and had a very high AUC for predicting the results of immediate clinical assessment in CCAP.

Longitudinal treatment patterns with ADP receptor inhibitors after myocardial infarction: Insights from the Canadian Observational AntiPlatelet sTudy.

BACKGROUND: After myocardial infarction (MI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), guidelines recommend dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and an ADP receptor inhibitor (ADPri) for at least 1year. However, whether real-world Canadian practice patterns reflect this recommendation is unknown. METHODS: We studied 2175 MI patients treated with PCI and discharged from 26 Canadian hospitals between 12/2011 and 05/2013 in the Canadian Observational Antiplatelet sTudy (COAPT). Hierarchical Cox proportional hazard regression modeling was used to determine baseline demographic and clinical factors associated with duration of ADPri therapy post-discharge. RESULTS: At index-hospitalization discharge, 1597 (73%) patients were treated with clopidogrel, 220 (10%) with prasugrel, and 358 (17%) with ticagrelor. ADPri was discontinued prior to 1year in 474 (21.8%) patients; discontinuation rates were lowest for patients discharged on prasugrel (17.7%), compared with clopidogrel (22.5%) or ticagrelor (21.0%), (log rank test, p=0.03). In addition to regional variability, factors associated with shorter ADPri duration included older age, low body weight, Killip III/IV heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ticagrelor on discharge, and bare metal stent use, while longer ADPri duration was associated with history of prior MI. CONCLUSIONS: One in five PCI-treated MI patients did not complete Canadian guideline-recommended 1-year course of ADPri treatment. Premature ADPri discontinuation was most strongly associated with factors that increase the risk of bleeding. Further study is required to assess the clinical implications of premature ADPri discontinuation on patient outcomes.

Quality of Care for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Development of Canadian Cardiovascular Society Quality Indicators.

Currently there are more than 40 centres in Canada that perform more than 65,000 percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in a year. Considering the high volume of procedures and number of operators, the potential for variation in processes of care is high, and might lead to variation in the quality of care. As part of its quality initiative, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society convened a working group to develop a set of PCI Quality Indicators (QIs) that would be relevant, scientifically acceptable, and feasible to measure and report. The working group was comprised of clinical experts from across Canada and members of provincial and federal organizations involved in promoting the quality of health care. Using the Canadian Cardiovascular Society "Best Practices for Developing Cardiovascular Quality Indicators" methodology, a total of 23 QIs were proposed. Subsequent ranking and discussion led to the selection of 8 QIs. The selection and ranking of QIs were on the basis of clinical importance and relevance, scientific acceptability, and feasibility of their operationalization at a national level. The data definitions and technical notes of the QIs were refined after feasibility testing and Web consultation. Feasibility testing indicated that standardization and enhancements of knowledge infrastructure are essential to provide the comprehensive patient data necessary to evaluate the quality of PCI across Canada.