Early postoperative acute myocardial infarction in kidney transplant recipients: A nested case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: The epidemiology of early acute myocardial infarctions after kidney transplantation has not been well characterized. This study sought to examine the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of early acute myocardial infarctions or EAMI in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: A total of 1976 patients who underwent kidney transplantation at our center from Jan 1, 2000, to Sept 30, 2016, were included. A nested case-control design was used to study EAMI risk factors using a conditional logistic regression model. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the association of EAMI with death-censored graft failure, death with graft function, and total graft failure. RESULTS: Seventy four patients had an EAMI within 3 months post-transplant. Based on univariable analyses, risk factors for EAMI included age and recipient history of diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease. After adjustment, recipient history of coronary artery disease was the only independent predictor for EAMI (OR 3.76, p < .001). Patients who experienced EAMI were more likely to experience death-censored graft failure, death with graft function, and total graft failure. CONCLUSION: While the incidence of EAMI in kidney transplant recipients is relatively low, these data show that EAMI has profound long-term effects on morbidity and mortality.

Validation of multiparametric rubidium-82 PET myocardial blood flow quantification for cardiac allograft vasculopathy surveillance.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy of Rubidium-82 positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification for CAV. The purpose of this study was to validate multiparametric PET detection of CAV by combined rate-pressure-product-corrected myocardial flow reserve (cMFR), stress MBF, and coronary vascular resistance (CVR) assessment. METHODS AND RESULTS: Diagnostic CAV cut-offs of cMFR < 2.9, stress MBF < 2.3, CVR > 55 determined in a previous study (derivation) were assessed in heart transplant recipients referred for coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) (validation). CAV was defined as International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation CAV1-3 on angiography; and maximal intimal thickness ≥ 0.5 mm on IVUS. Eighty patients (derivation n = 40, validation n = 40) were included: 80% male, mean age 54±14 years, 4.5±5.6 years post transplant. The prevalence of CAV was 44% on angiography and 78% on IVUS. Combined PET cMFR < 2.9, stress MBF < 2.3, CVR > 55 CAV assessment yielded high 88% (specificity 75%) and 83% (specificity 40%) sensitivity for ≥ 1 abnormal parameter and high 88% (sensitivity 59%) and 90% (sensitivity 43%) specificity for 3 abnormal parameters, in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSION: We validate the diagnostic accuracy of multiparametric PET flow quantification by cMFR, stress MBF, and CVR for CAV.

Randomized trial of primary PCI with or without routine manual thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: During primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), manual thrombectomy may reduce distal embolization and thus improve microvascular perfusion. Small trials have suggested that thrombectomy improves surrogate and clinical outcomes, but a larger trial has reported conflicting results. METHODS: We randomly assigned 10,732 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI to a strategy of routine upfront manual thrombectomy versus PCI alone. The primary outcome was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, recurrent myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, or New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV heart failure within 180 days. The key safety outcome was stroke within 30 days. RESULTS: The primary outcome occurred in 347 of 5033 patients (6.9%) in the thrombectomy group versus 351 of 5030 patients (7.0%) in the PCI-alone group (hazard ratio in the thrombectomy group, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85 to 1.15; P=0.86). The rates of cardiovascular death (3.1% with thrombectomy vs. 3.5% with PCI alone; hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.12; P=0.34) and the primary outcome plus stent thrombosis or target-vessel revascularization (9.9% vs. 9.8%; hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.14; P=0.95) were also similar. Stroke within 30 days occurred in 33 patients (0.7%) in the thrombectomy group versus 16 patients (0.3%) in the PCI-alone group (hazard ratio, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.75; P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with STEMI who were undergoing primary PCI, routine manual thrombectomy, as compared with PCI alone, did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, or NYHA class IV heart failure within 180 days but was associated with an increased rate of stroke within 30 days. (Funded by Medtronic and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; TOTAL ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01149044.).

Characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 1 year of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and procedural outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 1 year of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). BACKGROUND: CABG is the preferred revascularization strategy for patients with complex coronary artery disease due to a lower rate of repeat revascularization. Despite advances in surgical technique and medical therapy, >5% of patients require repeat revascularization within 1 year of CABG. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients who underwent PCI within 1 year of CABG were identified from a prospective registry with data on over 20,000 PCI procedures (April 2000-June 2011). 203 post-CABG patients underwent 228 PCI procedures on 390 lesions during this period. 45% of patients had elective PCI while 55% had PCI on an urgent basis. 81% of PCI was performed in native coronary arteries, usually following graft failure in a previously grafted vessel (60%) or in an ungrafted native vessel (21%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who required PCI within 1 year of CABG were more likely to present on an urgent basis and have PCI performed in grafted native coronary vessels. However, nearly third of the patients had PCI to an ungrafted native vessel or to a lesion in the native vessel where the graft was still patent. Further studies are needed to determine whether the use of hybrid revascularization strategies (combination CABG and planned PCI) in appropriate patients could reduce the need for urgent PCI within the first year after CABG. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Efficacy and Safety of the GuideLiner Mother-in-Child Guide Catheter Extension in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures are increasingly performed on complex tortuous and heavily calcified coronary lesions. The GuideLiner® catheter (Vascular Solutions, Inc. Minneapolis, MN) is a rapid exchange guide catheter extension system. There is paucity of data about the efficacy of this device in complex PCI. Therefore, we aim to report the indications, success, and efficacy of GuideLiner use in treating complex lesion subset in the present study. METHODS: We collected data from all patients in whom the GuideLiner was used to facilitate PCI between April 1, 2011 and December 31, 2014 at a tertiary referral center in Toronto, Canada. Demographic and procedural data were obtained from an institutional prospective data registry. Indications for use of the GuideLiner, and angiographic and procedural data specific to the device were also collected. RESULTS: The GuideLiner was utilized in 307 (317 lesions) of 6105 PCI procedures performed at our institution during the study period. The mean age was 68.4 ± 11.2 years and 82% were male. The majority of lesions were types B2 or C (98%), calcified (86.3%), with proximal tortuosity (88.6%). The overall technical success rate of the GuideLiner was 88%. The procedural success rate was 98.7%. The complication rate was low (1.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the GuideLiner catheter facilitated successful completion of PCI procedures in a majority of patients with complex lesions. Operators should be aware of the potential complications associated with GuideLiner use.

Myocardial blush and microvascular reperfusion following manual thrombectomy during percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction: insights from the TOTAL trial.

AIMS: Thrombectomy during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been thought to be an effective therapy to prevent distal embolization and improve microvascular perfusion. The TOTAL trial (N = 10 732), a randomized trial of routine manual thrombectomy vs. PCI alone in STEMI, showed no difference in the primary efficacy outcome. This angiographic sub-study was performed to determine if thrombectomy improved microvascular perfusion as measured by myocardial blush grade (MBG). METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the 10 732 patients randomized, 1610 randomly selected angiograms were analysable by the angiographic core laboratory. Primary outcomes included MBG and post-PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade. Secondary outcomes included distal embolization, PPCI complications, and each component of the complications. The primary end point of final myocardial blush (221 [28%] 0/1 for thrombectomy vs. 246 {30%} 0/1 for PCI alone group, P = 0.38) and TIMI flow (712 [90%] TIMI 3 for thrombectomy vs. 733 [89.5%] TIMI 3 for PCI alone arm, P = 0.73) was similar in the two groups. Thrombectomy was associated with a significantly reduced incidence of distal embolization compared with PCI alone (56 [7.1%] vs. 87 [10.7%], P = 0.01). In multivariable analysis, distal embolization was an independent predictor of mortality (HR 3.00, 95% CI 1.19-7.58) while MBG was not (HR 2.73, 95% CI 0.94-5.3). CONCLUSIONS: Routine thrombectomy during PPCI did not result in improved MBG or post-PCI TIMI flow grade but did reduce distal embolization compared with PCI alone. Distal embolization and not blush grade is independently associated with mortality.

Ischemic and bleeding events in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention who require oral anticoagulation: Insights from the Canadian observational AntiPlatelet sTudy.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of newer, more potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitors (P2Y12ris), practice patterns and associated clinical outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and also requiring oral anticoagulation (OAC) have not been fully characterized. METHODS: The Canadian Observational Antiplatelet Study was a prospective, multicenter, longitudinal, observational study (26 hospitals, December 2011 to May 2013) describing P2Y12ri treatment patterns and outcomes in patients with ST-elevation and non-ST-elevation MI undergoing PCI. We describe the clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, bleeding, and ischemic outcomes over the 15-month follow-up within and between the subgroups of patients discharged on either dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (acetyl salicylic acid [ASA]+P2Y12ri) or triple therapy (ASA+P2Y12ri+OAC). RESULTS: Of the 2,034 patients at discharge, 86% (n = 1,757) were on DAPT, whereas 14% (n = 277) were on triple therapy (50% warfarin, 50% non-vitamin K OAC [NOAC]). The frequency of newer P2Y12ri use (prasugrel or ticagrelor) was similar in the DAPT and triple therapy groups (28% vs 26%, respectively). In the triple therapy group, NOAC use was higher in those receiving a new P2Y12ri compared to those receiving clopidogrel (75% vs 41%, respectively, P < .0001). The unadjusted and adjusted events of major cardiovascular event (MACE) and bleeding were higher in the triple therapy group. For patients on triple therapy, the bleeding or MACE events were not significantly different between those on clopidogrel versus those on ticagrelor or prasugrel. CONCLUSION: In this observational study of MI patients requiring PCI, 1 in 8 were discharged on triple antithrombotic therapy, of whom 26% were on newer P2Y12ris. Patients on triple therapy had higher risk at baseline, with higher unadjusted and adjusted MACE and bleeding events compared to those on DAPT alone. Among triple therapy-treated patients, there was no difference in the MACE and bleeding events regardless of the P2Y12ri used.

Comparison of radial to femoral PCI in acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock: a systematic review.

In randomized control trials and meta-analyses in patients with acute MI undergoing PCI, the radial artery (RA) approach compared to the femoral artery (FA) approach has shown to safely reduce access site related bleeding, length of hospitalization, and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates. However, these studies have excluded patients with cardiogenic shock. A systematic search was conducted to retrieve studies that investigated the safety of RA to FA PCI in patients with AMI and cardiogenic shock. Primary outcomes of interest was the pooled relative risk ratio (RR) of access site related bleeding. Secondary outcomes included (i) 30-day all cause mortality, (ii) major bleeding, (iii) final TIMI 3 flow, (iv) fluoroscopy time, and (v) amount of contrast volume administered. 6 observational studies with 7,753 patients met inclusion; 5,347 (69 %) with STEMI, 2,406 (31 %) with non-STEMI. In comparison of RA to FA PCI, there was less access site related bleeding (relative risk (RR) 0.11, p = 0.001), less 30-day mortality (RR 0.65, p = 0.0 < 0.001), and less major bleeding (RR of 0.46 p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in final TIMI 3 flow (p = 0.27), fluoroscopy time (p = 0.95), and contrast volume administered (p = 0.59). In conclution, despite its limitations, our analysis demonstrates an association towards lower adverse events in the RA PCI group. Although we believe that the choice of access site in a high-risk setting should be at the operator discretion, if technically feasible, the RA appears to be a reasonable vascular access approach in high-risk patients in cardiogenic shock.

Pulmonary Artery Catheter Usage and Impact on Mortality in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock: Results From a Canadian Single-Centre Registry.

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic assessment for cardiogenic shock (CS) phenotyping in patients has led to renewed interest in the use of pulmonary artery catheters (PACs). METHODS: We included patients admitted with CS from January 2014 to December 2020 and compared clinical outcomes among patients who received PACs and those who did not. The primary outcome was the rate of in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included use of advanced heart failure therapies and coronary intensive care unit (CICU) and hospital lengths of stay. RESULTS: A total of 1043 patients were analysed and 47% received PACs. Patients selected for PAC-guided management were younger and had lower left ventricular function. They also had higher use of vasopressor and inotropes, and 15.2% of them were already supported with temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS). In-hospital mortality was lower in patients who received PACs (29.3% vs 36.2%; P = 0.02), mainly driven by a reduction in mortality among those in Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) stages D and E CS. Patients who received PACs were more likely to receive temporary MCS with Impella, durable ventricular assist devices (VADs), or orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) (P < 0.001 for all analyses). CICU and hospital lengths of stay were longer in patients who used PACs. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with CS, the use of PACs was associated with lower in-hospital mortality, especially among those in SCAI stages D and E. Patients who received PACs were also more frequently rescued with temporary MCS or received advanced heart failure therapies, such as durable VADs or OHT.

Decoding cardiogenic shock: assessing shock index and its variants as prognostic indicators for in-hospital mortality.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Objective assessment of its severity and prognosis is paramount for timely therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the shock index (SI) and its variants as prognostic indicators for in-hospital mortality. METHODS: A retrospective study involving 1282 CS patients were evaluated. Baseline patient characteristics, clinical trajectory, hospital outcomes, and shock indices were collected and analysed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to determine the predictive accuracy of shock indices in predicting in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of those evaluated, 866 (67.6%) survived until discharge. Non-survivors were older (66.0 ± 13.7 vs. 57.4 ± 16.2, P < 0.001), had a higher incidence of cardiac risk factors, and were more likely to present with acute coronary syndrome (33.4% vs. 16.1%, P < 0.001) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (11.3% vs. 5.3%, P < 0.001). All mean shock indices were significantly higher in non-survivors compared with survivors. ROC curves demonstrated that adjusted shock index (ASI), age-modified shock index (AMSI), and shock index-C (SIC) had the highest predictive accuracy for in-hospital mortality, with AUC values of 0.654, 0.667, and 0.659, respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that SIC had good predictive ability in patients with STEMI (AUC: 0.714) and ACS (AUC: 0.696) while AMSI and ASI were notably predictive in the OHCA group (AUC: 0.707 and 0.701, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Shock index and its variants, especially ASI, AMSI, and SIC, may be helpful in predicting in-hospital mortality in CS patients. Their application could guide clinicians in upfront risk stratification. SIC, ASI, and AMSI show potential in predicting in-hospital mortality in specific CS subsets (STEMI and OHCA). This is the first study to evaluate SI and its variants in CS patients.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society Clinical Practice Update on Contemporary Management of the Patient with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Numerous guidelines on the diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have been published, by learned societies, over the last decade. While helpful they are often long and less adapted to non-experts. This writing panel was challenged to produce a document that grew as much from years of practical experience as it did from the peer-reviewed literature. As such, rather than produce yet another set of guidelines, we aim here to deliver a concentrate of our own experiential learning and distil for the reader the essence of effective and appropriate HCM care. This Clinical Practice Update on HCM is therefore aimed at general cardiologists and other cardiovascular practitioners rather than for HCM specialists. We set the stage with a description of the condition and its clinical presentation; discuss the central importance of 'obstruction' and how to look for it; review the role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; reflect on the appropriate use of genetic testing; review the treatment options for symptomatic HCM - crucially including cardiac myosin inhibitors; and deal concisely with practical issues surrounding risk assessment for sudden cardiac death, and management of the end-stage HCM patient. Uniquely, we have captured the pediatric experience on our panel to discuss appropriate differences in the management of younger patients with HCM. We ask the reader to remember that this document represents expert consensus opinion rather than dogma and to use their best judgement when dealing with the HCM patient in front of them.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society/Canadian Cardiovascular Critical Care Society/Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology Clinical Practice Update on Optimal Post Cardiac Arrest and Refractory Cardiac Arrest Patient Care.

Survival to hospital discharge among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is low and important regional differences in treatment practices and survival have been described. Since the 2017 publication of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society's position statement on OHCA care, multiple randomized controlled trials have helped to better define optimal post cardiac arrest care. This working group provides updated guidance on the timing of cardiac catheterization in patients with ST-elevation and without ST-segment elevation, on a revised temperature control strategy targeting normothermia instead of hypothermia, blood pressure, oxygenation, and ventilation parameters, and on the treatment of rhythmic and periodic electroencephalography patterns in patients with a resuscitated OHCA. In addition, prehospital trials have helped craft new expert opinions on antiarrhythmic strategies (amiodarone or lidocaine) and outline the potential role for double sequential defibrillation in patients with refractory cardiac arrest when equipment and training is available. Finally, we advocate for regionalized OHCA care systems with admissions to a hospital capable of integrating their post OHCA care with comprehensive on-site cardiovascular services and provide guidance on the potential role of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with refractory cardiac arrest. We believe that knowledge translation through national harmonization and adoption of contemporary best practices has the potential to improve survival and functional outcomes in the OHCA population.

Choice of stent and outcomes after treatment of drug-eluting stent restenosis in highly complex lesions.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to compare the outcomes of a same versus different drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation strategy for the treatment of DES instent restenosis (ISR). BACKGROUND: The absence of clear data renders the treatment of DES ISR one of the most challenging situations in interventional cardiology. METHODS: We identified all cases of DES ISR treated with a second DES between January 2004 and January 2009. The lesions were divided into those treated with the same DES as the initial one that restenosed and those treated with a different DES. The main end-point was repeat target lesion revascularization (TLR). RESULTS: We included 116 patients with a total of 132 lesions. The patient population was highly complex: 55.5% with diabetes, 56% with type-C lesions, 15.9% with lesions previously stented with BMS and 18.2% with fluoroscopic evidence of stent fracture. A same and different stent strategy was conducted in 41 lesions (31%) and 91 lesions (69%), respectively. Overall TLR was 31.1% and occurred in 46.3% of patients treated with the same stent and 24.4% of those with a different stent (P = 0.012). Multivariable analysis found same stent strategy (OR 2.84, 95%CI 1.23-6.57;P = 0.014) and occurrence of stent fracture (OR 4.03, 95%CI 1.33-12.01;P = 0.012) to be the only independent predictors of TLR after a median follow-up of 20.4 [12.1-30.2] months. CONCLUSIONS: In highly complex lesions, DES implantation for DES ISR is linked to a high need of future revascularization. An association between implanting a DES type other than the original and lower rate of TLR is suggested.

Long-term Clinical Outcomes Following Cardiac Stress Testing After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac stress testing (CST) is commonly performed after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), yet little is known whether such ischemic testing is associated with improved clinical outcomes. METHODS: We studied patients who underwent their first PCI procedure from October 2008 to December 2016 in Ontario, Canada. Patients who underwent CST from 60 days to 1 year after PCI were compared with those who did not undergo CST. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalisation for myocardial infarction (MI) at 3 years after CST. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for potential differences between the study groups. RESULTS: Among the 86,150 included patients, 40,988 (47.6%) underwent CST within 60 days to 1 year after PCI. Patients who underwent CST had higher prescription rates of cardiac medications. At 1 year after CST, rates of cardiac catheterisation and coronary revascularisation were more than double those observed in the nontested group (13.4% vs 5.9%, standardised difference [SD] 0.26, for cardiac catheterisation; 6.6% vs 2.7%, SD 0.19, for PCI). The CST group had a significantly lower primary event rate at 3 years compared without CST (3.9% vs 4.5%, hazard ratio 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.81-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study of PCI patients found a small but significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events among patients who received CST. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine the specific aspects of care that may be associated with the modestly improved outcomes.

Improved mortality and haemodynamics with milrinone in cardiogenic shock due to acute decompensated heart failure.

AIMS: Studies in cardiogenic shock (CS) often have a heterogeneous population of patients, including those with acute myocardial infarction and acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF-CS). The therapeutic profile of milrinone may benefit patients with ADHF-CS. We compared the outcomes and haemodynamic trends in ADHF-CS receiving either milrinone or dobutamine. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients presenting with ADHF-CS (from 2014 to 2020) treated with a single inodilator (milrinone or dobutamine) were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, outcomes, and haemodynamic parameters were collected. The primary endpoint was 30 day mortality, with censoring at the time of transplant or left ventricular assist device implantation. A total of 573 patients were included, of which 366 (63.9%) received milrinone and 207 (36.1%) received dobutamine. Patients receiving milrinone were younger, had better kidney function, and lower lactate at admission. In addition, patients receiving milrinone received mechanical ventilation or vasopressors less frequently, whereas a pulmonary artery catheter was more frequently used. Milrinone use was associated with a lower adjusted risk of 30 day mortality (hazard ratio = 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.77). After propensity-matching, the use of milrinone remained associated with a lower mortality (hazard ratio = 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.27-0.96). These findings were associated with improved pulmonary artery compliance, stroke volume, and right ventricular stroke work index. CONCLUSIONS: The use of milrinone compared with dobutamine in patients with ADHF-CS is associated with lower 30 day mortality and improved haemodynamics. These findings warrant further study in future randomized controlled trials.

Fibrotic Plaque and Microvascular Dysfunction Predict Early Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Progression After Heart Transplantation: The Early Post Transplant Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy Study.

BACKGROUND: Early cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) prognostication is needed to improve long-term outcomes after heart transplantation. We characterized first year posttransplant coronary anatomic-physiologic alterations to determine predictors of early CAV progression. METHODS: Heart transplant recipients at 2 institutions (enrolled January 2018 to March 2021) underwent prospective evaluation 3 and 12-month posttransplant with angiography and left anterior descending artery intravascular ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, fractional flow reserve, coronary flow reserve, and index of microcirculatory resistance measurements. CAV progression was assessed by intravascular ultrasound change in percentage intimal volume from baseline to 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (mean age, 51 years; 60% men) completed evaluation at mean 13.8 and 56.3 weeks posttransplant. Donor atherosclerosis (baseline intravascular ultrasound maximal intimal thickness, ≥0.5 mm) was evident in 50%. De novo (follow-up maximal intimal thickness, ≥0.5 mm) and rapidly progressive CAV (maximal intimal thickness, ≥0.5-mm increase from baseline) developed in 24% and 13%, respectively. On optical coherence tomography, baseline to follow-up median intimal volume increased 42% (0.58 mm3/mm), percentage intimal volume increased 44% (4.6%), vessel volume decreased 4% (-0.50 mm3/mm) and lumen volume decreased 9% (-1.02 mm3/mm); P<0.05 for all. Fibrotic plaque was the predominant morphology: baseline, 29% and follow-up, 50%. Coronary physiology was abnormal in 41% at baseline and 45% at follow-up, with 1 in 5 patients having microvascular dysfunction (index of microcirculatory resistance, ≥25). On multivariable linear regression analysis, recipient male sex, fibrotic plaque, and index of microcirculatory resistance were independent predictors of coronary disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrotic plaque on optical coherence tomography and index of microcirculatory resistance early posttransplant predict CAV progression in the first year of transplantation. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT03217786.

Cardiac PET Myocardial Blood Flow Quantification Assessment of Early Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy.

BACKGROUND: Positron emission tomography (PET) has demonstrated utility for diagnostic and prognostic assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) but has not been evaluated in the first year after transplant. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate CAV at 1 year by PET myocardial blood flow (MBF) quantification. METHODS: Adults at 2 institutions enrolled between January 2018 and March 2021 underwent prospective 3-month (baseline) and 12-month (follow-up) post-transplant PET, endomyocardial biopsy, and intravascular ultrasound examination. Epicardial CAV was assessed by intravascular ultrasound percent intimal volume (PIV) and microvascular CAV by endomyocardial biopsy. RESULTS: A total of 136 PET studies from 74 patients were analyzed. At 12 months, median PIV increased 5.6% (95% CI: 3.6%-7.1%) with no change in microvascular CAV incidence (baseline: 31% vs follow-up: 38%; P = 0.406) and persistent microvascular disease in 13% of patients. Median capillary density increased 30 capillaries/mm2 (95% CI: -6 to 79 capillaries/mm2). PET myocardial flow reserve (2.5 ± 0.7 vs 2.9 ± 0.8; P = 0.001) and stress MBF (2.7 ± 0.6 vs 2.9 ± 0.6; P = 0.008) increased, and coronary vascular resistance (CVR) (49 ± 13 vs 47 ± 11; P = 0.214) was unchanged. At 12 months, PET and PIV had modest correlation (stress MBF: r = -0.35; CVR: r = 0.33), with lower stress MBF and higher CVR across increasing PIV tertiles (all P < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic curves for CAV defined by upper-tertile PIV showed areas under the curve of 0.74 for stress MBF and 0.73 for CVR. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year post-transplant PET MBF is associated with epicardial CAV, supporting potential use for early noninvasive CAV assessment. (Early Post Transplant Cardiac Allograft Vasculopahty [ECAV]; NCT03217786).

No-reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: an angiographic core laboratory analysis of the TOTAL Trial.

BACKGROUND: The optimal strategy to prevent no-reflow in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unknown. AIMS: We aimed to examine the effect of thrombectomy on the outcome of no-reflow in key subgroups and the adverse clinical outcomes associated with no-reflow. METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of the TOTAL Trial, a randomised trial of 10,732 patients comparing thrombectomy versus PCI alone. This analysis utilised the angiographic data of 1,800 randomly selected patients. RESULTS: No-reflow was diagnosed in 196 of 1,800 eligible patients (10.9%). No-reflow occurred in 95/891 (10.7%) patients randomised to thrombectomy compared with 101/909 (11.1%) in the PCI-alone arm (odds ratio [OR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-1.28; p-value=0.76). In the subgroup of patients who underwent direct stenting, those randomised to thrombectomy compared with PCI alone experienced less no-reflow (19/371 [5.1%] vs 21/216 [9.7%], OR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.26-0.96). In patients who did not undergo direct stenting, there was no difference between the groups (64/504 [12.7%] vs 75/686 [10.9%)], OR 1.18, 95% CI: 0.82-1.69; interaction p-value=0.02). No-reflow patients had a significantly increased risk of experiencing the primary composite outcome (cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, or NYHA Class IV heart failure) at 1 year (adjusted hazard ratio 1.70, 95% CI: 1.13-2.56; p-value=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with STEMI treated by PCI, thrombectomy did not reduce no-reflow in all patients but may be synergistic with direct stenting. No-reflow is associated with increased adverse clinical outcomes.

Neuroprognostication in the Post Cardiac Arrest Patient: A Canadian Cardiovascular Society Position Statement.

Cardiac arrest (CA) is associated with a low rate of survival with favourable neurologic recovery. The most common mechanism of death after successful resuscitation from CA is withdrawal of life-sustaining measures on the basis of perceived poor neurologic prognosis due to underlying hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Neuroprognostication is an important component of the care pathway for CA patients admitted to hospital but is complex, challenging, and often guided by limited evidence. Using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system to evaluate the evidence underlying factors or diagnostic modalities available to determine prognosis, recommendations were generated in the following domains: (1) circumstances immediately after CA; (2) focused neurologic exam; (3) myoclonus and seizures; (4) serum biomarkers; (5) neuroimaging; (6) neurophysiologic testing; and (7) multimodal neuroprognostication. This position statement aims to serve as a practical guide to enhance in-hospital care of CA patients and emphasizes the adoption of a systematic, multimodal approach to neuroprognostication. It also highlights evidence gaps.

Antithrombotic therapies in Canadian atrial fibrillation patients with concomitant coronary artery disease: Insights from the CONNECT AF + PCI-II program.

BACKGROUND: Selecting the appropriate antithrombotic regimen for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or have had medically managed acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains complex. This multi-centre observational study evaluated patterns of antithrombotic therapies utilized among Canadian patients with AF post-PCI or ACS. METHODS AND RESULTS: By retrospective chart audit, 611 non-valvular AF patients [median (interquartile range) age 76 (69-83) years, CHADS2 score 2 (1-3)] who underwent PCI or had medically managed ACS between August 2018 and December 2020 were identified by 68 cardiologists across eight provinces in Canada. Overall, triple antithrombotic therapy [TAT: combined oral anticoagulation (OAC) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)] was the most common initial antithrombotic strategy, with use in 53.8 % of patients, followed by dual pathway therapy (32.7 % received OAC and a P2Y12 inhibitor, and 4.1 % received OAC and aspirin) and DAPT (9.3 %). Median duration of TAT was 30 (7, 30) days. Compared to the previous CONNECT AF + PCI-I program, there was an increased use of dual pathway therapy relative to TAT over time (P-value <.0001). DOACs (direct oral anticoagulants) represented 90.3 % of all OACs used overall, with apixaban being the most utilized (50.5 %). Proton pump inhibitors were used in 57.0 % of all patients, and 70.1 % of patients on ASA. Planned antithrombotic therapies at 1 year were: 76.2 % OAC monotherapy, 8.3 % OAC + ASA, 7.9 % OAC + P2Y12 inhibitor, 4.3 % DAPT, 1.3 % ASA alone, and <1 % triple therapy. CONCLUSION: In accordance with recent Canadian Cardiovascular Society guideline recommendations, we observed an increased use of dual pathway therapy relative to TAT over time in both AF patients post-PCI (elective and emergent) and in those with medically managed ACS. Additionally, DOACs have become the prevailing form of anticoagulation across all antithrombotic regimens. Our findings suggest that Canadian physicians are integrating evidence-based approaches to optimally manage the bleeding and thrombotic risks of AF patients post-PCI and/or ACS.