Multi-modality imaging for pre-procedural planning of transcatheter mitral valve interventions.

Transcatheter mitral valve interventions (TMVI), either repair or replacement, are established alternative options for patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) deemed not suitable for conventional open-heart surgery. Multi-modality imaging plays a pivotal role in the selection of patients, gaining insights into the anatomy of the mitral valve the mechanism and the severity of MR, which are essential to predict the success of these procedures. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the role of multi-modality imaging in the patient selection and pre-procedural planning of TMVI.

Echocardiography in cardioembolic stroke prevention.

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability, and cardiac embolism accounts for one-third of all ischaemic strokes. Thirty per cent of strokes are cryptogenic. In this setting, echocardiography is essential in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of embolic stroke of undetermined source since it is a widely available, safe, and inexpensive tool. Transthoracic echocardiography and transoesophageal echocardiography, furthermore, are proven to change therapeutic management leading to initiation of anti-coagulation, anti-microbial therapy, patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure, or cardiac tumour resection. The most common cardioembolic sources include left atrial appendage thrombus, left ventricular thrombus, vegetations in endocarditis, paradoxical embolization in PFO, prosthesis thrombosis, and intracardiac tumours. Although the presence of a cardioembolic source only represents a risk factor for an ischaemic stroke, it could not assure the certain or the unique cause of the event. The purpose of this review is to underline the importance of echocardiography and overview the main sources of cardiac embolism and the echocardiographic features.

Cardiac magnetic resonance in Fabry disease.

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked inherited lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficient a-galactosidase A activity that leads to an accumulation of glycolipids, mainly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotriaosylsphingosine, in affected tissues, including the heart. Cardiovascular involvement usually manifests as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), myocardial fibrosis, heart failure, and arrhythmias, which limit the quality of life and represent the most common causes of death. Following the introduction of enzyme replacement therapy, early diagnosis and treatment have become essential in slowing down the disease progression and preventing major cardiac complications. Recent advances in the understanding of FD pathophysiology suggest that in addition to Gb3 accumulation, other mechanisms contribute to the development of cardiac damage. FD cardiomyopathy is characterized by an earlier stage of glycosphingolipid accumulation and a later one of hypertrophy. Morphological and functional aspects are not specific in the echocardiographic evaluation of Anderson-Fabry disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance with tissue characterization capability is an accurate technique for the differential diagnosis of LVH. Progress in imaging techniques has improved the diagnosis and staging of FD-related cardiac disease: a decreased myocardial T1 value is specific of FD. Late gadolinium enhancement is typical of the later stage of cardiac involvement but as in other cardiomyopathy is also valuable to predict the outcome and cardiac response to therapy.

Role of genetic polymorphisms of ion channels in the pathophysiology of coronary microvascular dysfunction and ischemic heart disease.

Conventionally, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is equated with large vessel coronary disease. However, recent evidence has suggested a role of compromised microvascular regulation in the etiology of IHD. Because regulation of coronary blood flow likely involves activity of specific ion channels, and key factors involved in endothelium-dependent dilation, we proposed that genetic anomalies of ion channels or specific endothelial regulators may underlie coronary microvascular disease. We aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes encoding for ion channels expressed in the coronary vasculature and the possible correlation with IHD resulting from microvascular dysfunction. 242 consecutive patients who were candidates for coronary angiography were enrolled. A prospective, observational, single-center study was conducted, analyzing genetic polymorphisms relative to (1) NOS3 encoding for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS); (2) ATP2A2 encoding for the Ca²âº/H⁺-ATPase pump (SERCA); (3) SCN5A encoding for the voltage-dependent Na⁺ channel (Nav1.5); (4) KCNJ8 and KCNJ11 encoding for the Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 subunits of K-ATP channels, respectively; and (5) KCN5A encoding for the voltage-gated K⁺ channel (Kv1.5). No significant associations between clinical IHD manifestations and polymorphisms for SERCA, Kir6.1, and Kv1.5 were observed (p > 0.05), whereas specific polymorphisms detected in eNOS, as well as in Kir6.2 and Nav1.5 were found to be correlated with IHD and microvascular dysfunction. Interestingly, genetic polymorphisms for ion channels seem to have an important clinical impact influencing the susceptibility for microvascular dysfunction and IHD, independent of the presence of classic cardiovascular risk factors.

Rosuvastatin pretreatment in patients undergoing elective PCI to reduce the incidence of myocardial periprocedural necrosis: the ROMA trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of the high-dose rosuvastatin preadministration in reducing periprocedural myocardial necrosis and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: Elective PCI may be complicated with an elevation of cardiac biomarkers. Several studies suggested that pretreatment with statins may be associated with a reduction in periprocedural myocardial necrosis. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients with stable angina who underwent elective PCI were randomly assigned to receive either a preprocedural loading dose (40 mg) of rosuvastatin group (RG, n = 80) or a standard treatment [control group (CG), n = 80].The primary endpoint was the incidence of periprocedural myocardial necrosis. The secondary endpoint was the assessment of MACCE [cardiac death, all-myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and target vessel revascularization (TVR)] at a 30-day and 12-month follow-up, as well as the rate of periprocedural rise of Troponin T-serum levels >3× upper limit of normal. RESULTS: Twelve and 24-hr post-PCI creatinine kinase MB isoform elevation >3× occurred more frequently in the CG than in the RG (22.7 vs. 7.1; P = 0.034 and 26.4 vs. 8.7; P = 0.003). At the 30-day and 12-month follow-up, the incidence of cumulative MACCE was higher in CG than in the RG (30.0% vs. 8.7%; P = 0.001 and 35.0% vs. 12.5%; P = 0.001).The difference between the groups was mainly due to the periprocedural MI incidence (26.4% vs. 8.7%; P = 0.003).The rate of cardiac death, spontaneous MI, TVR, and stroke were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: High loading dose of rosuvastatin within 24 hr before elective PCI seems to decrease the incidence of periprocedural myocardial necrosis during a period of 12-months compared to the standard treatment.

The Complex but Fascinating Relationship between Sport and Atrial Fibrillation: From Pathophysiology to the Clinical Scenario.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cause of hospital admission among all arrhythmias in the general population. Moreover, AF represents the most common arrhythmia in the athletic population as well. The complex but fascinating relationship between sport and atrial fibrillation has not yet been fully clarified. Although the benefits of moderate physical activity in controlling cardiovascular risk factors and in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation have been widely demonstrated, some concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects of physical activity. Endurance activity in middle-aged men athletes appears to increase the risk of AF. Several different physiopathological mechanisms may explain the increased risk of AF in endurance athletes, including the imbalance of the autonomic nervous system, changes in left atrial size and function and presence of atrial fibrosis. The goal of this article is to review the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical management for AF in athletes, including pharmacological and electrophysiological strategies.

Beneficial impact of prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: Twelve-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) with aspirin and clopidogrel after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is routinely recommended. It is unclear if prolonged (>12-month) DAT is also favorable. We compared the outcome of patients discontinuing DAT 12 months after off-label DES implantation versus those with DAT for >12 months. METHODS: Baseline, treatment, and outcome data of patients undergoing off-label DES implantation and free from events 11.5 months after index procedure were retrospectively retrieved. Those discontinuing DAT between 11.5 and 12.5 months (12-month DAT group) were compared to those discontinuing DAT after 12.5 months (>12-month DAT group). The primary end-point was the long-term (>24-month) rate of major adverse cerebro-cardiovascular events (MACCE). RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-two patients met study inclusion criteria: 133 (48.9%) in the 12-month DAT group and 139 (51.1%) in the >12-month DAT group (who were on DAT for an average of 24 months). After an average of 36 months after DES implantation, 14 patients (5.1%) developed MACCE, with 6 (3.5%) cardiac deaths, 7 (2.2%) myocardial infarctions, no stroke, and 5 (1.8%) repeat revascularizations. The >12-month DAT group had a significantly lower risk of MACCE (1 [0.7%] vs. 13 [9.8%] in the 12-month DAT group, P < 0.001) and myocardial infarction (0 vs. 7 [5.3%], P = 0.006), with such differences confirmed at multivariable propensity-adjusted analyses. No significant differences in terms of minor or major bleedings occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective registry, patients with off-label DES implantation receiving prolonged (>12 months) DAT presented with lower rates of MACCE and myocardial infarction.

Long-term outcome after drug-eluting stent implantation in unselected population: ROME and UDINE experience (the RUDI registry).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DES implantation in an unselected, "real world," high-risk population. BACKGROUND: Several clinical trials showed that drug-eluting stents (DESs) implantation is safe and effective in selected population. In spite of these encouraging results, there are some concerns about "real world" utilization of these stents. METHODS: One thousand four hundred and fifty-five off-label patients have been included in our registry. Primary end-points were: long-term clinical incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and thrombosis (ST). We detected the difference between uniDES vs. multiDES implantation in terms of MACCE, death, nonfatal-MI, the composite of death/nonfatal-MI and target lesion revascularization (TLR) and the difference between DES type in term of MACCE. RESULTS: At 36 months follow-up we found: cardiac death occurred in 20 patients (1.6%); 33 patients (2.6%) had a nonfatal MI and 81 patients (6.3%) had a TLR. We observed one (0.1%) acute, 9 subacute (0.6%), 6 late (0.6%), and 1 (0.5%) very late definite ST. No difference were found in terms of overall MACCE, MI, death and composite of death/nonfatal-MI between uni- and multiDES implantation but multiDES group had a higher incidence of TLR. No difference between DES type in term of MACCE was detected. CONCLUSIONS: DES utilization shows their safety and efficacy in off-label patients with complex clinical and angiographic profile in terms of long-term incidence of MACCE. MultiDES implantation is associated with a higher risk of long-term TLR. No difference between DES type was found.

Determinants of microvascular damage recovery after acute myocardial infarction: results from the acute myocardial infarction contrast imaging (AMICI) multi-centre study.

AIMS: Microvascular damage (MD) occurring soon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) may reverse or remain sustained within the first week after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated the incidence, determinants, and long-term clinical relevance of MD reversal after PPCI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serial two-dimensional echocardiograms (2DE) and a myocardial contrast study were obtained within 24 h of PPCI (T1) and at pre-discharge (T2) in 110 successfully re-perfused STEMI patients. Six months 2DE and 2-year clinical follow-up were obtained. After PPCI myocardial re-perfusion was normal at T1 only in 40 patients (36%, 'normal reflow'), recovered at T2 in 33 (30%, 'reversible MD'), and remained abnormal in 37 (34%, 'sustained MD'). At follow-up, normal reflow and reversible MD were coupled with a significant reduction in the infarct area, decrease in cardiac volumes, and a slight non-significant improvement in systolic function. Conversely, in the sustained MD group, the infarct area did not change and cardiac volumes significantly increased with a parallel worsening in systolic function. By multivariate analysis, independent predictors of reversible MD were: absence of family history of coronary artery disease (CAD), younger age, shorter time to re-perfusion, and absence of diabetes. The 2-year combined events rate was significantly lower in reversible MD (log-rank test P= 0.03) compared with sustained MD patients. CONCLUSIONS: In STEMI patients treated according to the current guidelines, MD frequently occurs soon after re-perfusion but it is reversible in ~50% of cases and it is associated with a favourable functional and clinical outcome. Family history of CAD, aging, time to re-perfusion, and diabetes are independent predictors of MD reversibility.

Long-term prognostic significance of three-dimensional echocardiographic parameters of the left ventricle and left atrium.

AIMS: We sought to investigate the long-term prognostic significance of two- and three-dimensional echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-eight consecutive outpatients underwent two-dimensional echocardiography and three-dimensional echocardiography for the assessment of LV volumes, mass, ejection fraction, and LA maximum and minimum volumes. After 45 months of follow-up, 31 patients (17%) had major cardiovascular events (death, myocardial infarctions, or stroke). From the two-dimensional echocardiography data, a significant time relationship to cardiovascular events was achieved only by LV end-systolic volume [hazard ratio (HR): 1.047; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.994-1.083; P = 0.031] and mass (HR: 1.038; CI: 0.993-1.082; P = 0.019), whereas from three-dimensional echocardiography, all the examined variables: LV end-diastolic (HR: 1.014; CI: 1.003-1.025; P = 0.014) and end-systolic volume (HR:1.018; CI: 1.006-1.029; P = 0.003), ejection fraction (HR: 0.032; CI: 0.002-0.565; P = 0.019), mass (HR: 1.030; CI: 1.016-1.045; P < 0.001), LA maximum (HR: 1.055; CI: 1.031-1.080; P < 0.001) and minimum (HR: 1.049; CI: 1.028-1.070; P < 0.001) volumes, were found to bear a significant relationship to cardiovascular events. By multivariate analysis, three-dimensional echocardiography derived LA minimum volume was identified as the best independent predictor of adverse cardiovascular events (HR: 1.217; CI: 1.075-1.378; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Owing to a superior accuracy, three-dimensional echocardiography derived parameters and most notably LA minimum volume provide more relevant information on outpatient prognosis.

Incidence, determinants, and prognostic value of reverse left ventricular remodelling after primary percutaneous coronary intervention: results of the Acute Myocardial Infarction Contrast Imaging (AMICI) multicenter study.

AIMS: Few data are available on the extent and prognostic value of reverse left ventricular remodelling (r-LVR) after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). We sought to evaluate incidence, major determinants, and long-term clinical significance of r-LVR in a group of STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). In particular, the role of preserved microvascular flow within the infarct zone in inducing r-LVR has been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serial echocardiograms (2DE) and myocardial contrast study were obtained within 24 h of coronary recanalization (T1) and at pre-discharge (T2) in 110 reperfused STEMI patients. Follow-up 2DE was scheduled after 6 months (T3). Two-year clinical follow-up was obtained. Reverse remodelling was defined as a reduction >10% in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) at 6 months follow-up. r-LVR occurred in 39% of study population. At multivariable analysis, independent predictors of r-LVR were an effective microvascular reflow within the infarct zone, the in-hospital improvement of myocardial perfusion, an initial large LVESV, and a short time to reperfusion. Cox analysis identified r-LVR as the only independent predictor of 2-year event-free survival. Combined events rate was significantly higher among patients without compared to those with r-LVR (log-rank test P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: r-LVR frequently occurs in STEMI patients treated with PPCI and it is an important predictor of favourable long-term outcome. A preserved microvascular perfusion within the infarct zone is the major determinant of r-LVR.

Rheumatic Heart Disease Predisposing to Embolic Myocardial Infarction: A Multimodality Imaging Approach.

We report a clinical case of a 45-year-old male with a diagnosis of inferior myocardial infarction and previous history of rheumatic fever during his childhood. Coronary angiography demonstrated normal coronary arteries. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed hypokinetic left ventricular inferolateral wall and mitral stenosis; furthermore, speckle tracking analysis revealed reduction of global longitudinal strain involving the inferior wall. A three-dimensional transesophaegeal echocardiography, performed to better characterize the anatomy of the valve and to find possible source of embolic infarct in an enlarged left atrium, showed rheumatic valvular involvement. Cardiac magnetic resonance confirmed the ischemic damage and also provided prognostic information. A multimodality imaging approach should be mandatory in patients with acute myocardial infarction and normal coronary angiography, to define possible sources of embolic infarction and to quantify myocardial damage.

A rare case of concurrent multichamber thrombosis complicated by cardioembolic stroke in a reversible postpartum thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy.

We describe a rare case of cardiac multichamber thrombosis in a young woman admitted with heart failure and atrial fibrillation, who was later found to have reversible postpartum thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. A transoesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated a patent foramen ovalis with an over-riding thrombus. The clinical scenario was complicated by a cardioembolic stroke upon spontaneous restoration of sinus rhythm.

Comparison of high reloading ROsuvastatin and Atorvastatin pretreatment in patients undergoing elective PCI to reduce the incidence of MyocArdial periprocedural necrosis. The ROMA II trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to compare a reloading dose of Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin administered within 24 h before coronary angioplasty (PCI) in reducing the rate of periprocedural myonecrosis and major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients on chronic statin treatment undergoing elective PCI. BACKGROUND: Elective PCI may be complicated with elevation of cardiac biomarkers. Several studies suggested that pretreatment with statins may be associated with a reduction in periprocedural myocardial necrosis. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty patients with stable angina who underwent elective PCI were randomly assigned to receive a pre-procedural reloading dose of Rosuvastatin (40 mg) (Rosuvastatin Group-RG n=175) or Atorvastatin (80 mg) (Atorvastatin Group-AG n=175) and a control group on chronic statin therapy without reloading (Control-Group-CG). The primary end-point was periprocedural myocardial necrosis and the occurrence of MACCE at 30-day,6-12 month follow-up. Also we evaluate the rise of periprocedural Troponin T serum levels >3× the upper limit of normal. RESULTS: Twelve and 24-hour post-PCI Creatine Kinase Muscle and Brain (CK-MB) elevation >3× occurred more frequently in the CG than in the RG and in the AG (at 24-h: 25.0 vs 7.1; p=0.003 and 25.0 vs 6.1; p=0.001). At 30-day, 6-and 12-month follow-up the incidence of cumulative MACCE was higher in CG than in the RG or AG (at 12-month: 41.0% vs 11.4% vs 12.0%; p=0.001). There was no difference between the RG and AG in terms of myocardial post-procedural necrosis and MACCE occurrence at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose statin reloading improves procedural and long term clinical outcomes in stable patients on chronic statin therapy. Both Rosuvastatin and Atorvastatin showed similar beneficial effects on procedural and long-term outcomes.

Heart failure and iron deficiency anemia in Italy: results from CARMES-1 registry.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of anemia and iron deficiency anemia in heart failure (HF) patients, to evaluate the effectiveness of current iron deficiency treatment strategies after discharge, and to analyze hospital readmissions and mortality rates in patients with and without anemia. PATIENTS & METHODS: A patient registry-based, multicenter, retrospective, observational, cohort study of 418 hospitalized HF patients in Italy, monitored from 1 March 2010 to 30 March 2011. RESULTS: Among patients with HF, 35.9% had anemia at admission; only 51.3% were treated with current iron deficiency treatment strategies during hospitalization and then only 29% of patients who were anemic at discharge were treated with iron at home. After a 4-week follow-up, only 11% of these patients reached the hemoglobin target value (study primary end point). However, current iron deficiency treatment strategies were not significantly associated with reduced risk of rehospitalization, but with a significantly reduced mortality rate after a 6-month follow-up (study secondary end points: 11.7 vs 51.7%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In HF patients, there is poor attention paid to anemia, its causes and treatment. Current iron deficiency treatment strategies are mismanaged and CARMES-1 demonstrated that they appear to be insufficient at improving patient outcome in terms of rehospitalization rate reduction, generating high costs, which could be avoided through an optimized treatment strategy. Therefore, more efficacious, efficient and cost-effective treatment strategies are required in Italy for HF patients with iron deficiency anemia to meet this unmet medical need.

Pharmacodynamic effect of switching therapy in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity and genotype variation with high clopidogrel Dose versus prasugrel: the RESET GENE trial.

BACKGROUND: High on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) is associated with adverse outcomes. We aim to compare the novel thienopyridine prasugrel versus double-dose clopidogrel in patients with HTPR and explore the interaction between CYP2C19 genotype and both drugs. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive stable patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention were screened with the Multiplate Analyzer P2Y12 assay, defining HTPR as area under the curve >450. Those with HTPR were randomized to prasugrel (10 mg/day) or high-dose clopidogrel (150 mg/day) for 2 weeks and then crossed-over to, respectively, clopidogrel and prasugrel, repeating the P2Y12 assay at the end of each cycle. Clinical follow-up (until 3 months) and CYP2C19 genotyping was performed in all patients. The primary end point was platelet reactivity after 14 days of prasugrel versus high-dose clopidogrel. Thirty-two patients were randomized to prasugrel and then high-dose clopidogrel or to high-dose clopidogrel followed by prasugrel. Prasugrel was associated with a significantly lower platelet reactivity than high-dose clopidogrel was (325.8 versus 478.5 area under the curve, P=0.028). No patient treated with prasugrel exhibited HTPR, whereas 9 (28.1%) receiving high-dose clopidogrel still had prevalence of HTPR (P=0.001). Similar findings were obtained changing cutoffs or considering platelet reactivity as a continuous variable. Genotyping showed the same efficacy between high-dose clopidogrel and prasugrel in the 18 (56.3%) CYP2C19*2 noncarriers (HTPR in 12.5% versus 0, P=0.274), whereas it was significantly worse in the 14 (43.7%) carriers (HTPR in 43.7% versus 0, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: HTPR is successfully abolished by therapy with prasugrel irrespective of CYP2C19 genotype. Conversely, high-dose clopidogrel can address HTPR only in CYP2C19*2 noncarriers. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01465828.

Impact of gender differences on myocardial salvage and post-ischaemic left ventricular remodelling after primary coronary angioplasty: new insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

AIMS: There is conflicting evidence on the impact of gender on reperfusion after primary coronary angioplasty (PPCI), and on left ventricular (LV) remodelling (LVR). In a cohort of patients with reperfused ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), gender-related differences on myocardial reperfusion, and sex-related differences on LVR were assessed by using a comprehensive cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: In four tertiary referral centres, 283 (238 males and 45 females) consecutive STEMI patients, treated with PPCI within 12 h from symptoms onset underwent CMR 3 ± 2 days after STEMI and at 4-month follow-up. By CMR, the area at risk, infarct size (IS), microvascular obstruction (MVO), and myocardial salvage index (MSI) were assessed. Women were older than men (P = 0.014), more hypertensive (P < 0.001) and more frequently presented with pre-infarct angina (P = 0.018). An MSI extent was significantly higher (P = 0.013), IS was significantly smaller at both time points (acute P < 0.001, follow-up P < 0.001), and the MVO extent was significantly smaller (P < 0.001) in women. At multivariate analysis, Killip class and female sex were independently associated with a higher MSI (P = 0.02, P = 0.05, respectively). A similar incidence of LVR in both sexes was observed at follow-up (P = 0.808). CONCLUSIONS: The better reperfusion pattern observed in women by CMR in our population of reperfused STEMI suggests sex-based differences exist. No gender differences were observed with respect to incidence of LV remodelling at the follow-up mainly occurring in the subset of patients with a larger IS.

The red blood cell as a gender-associated biomarker in metabolic syndrome: a pilot study.

In the present pilot study (56 patients), some red blood cell parameters in samples from patients with metabolic syndrome and subclinical atherosclerosis, but without any sign of coronary artery disease, have been analyzed. The main goal of this work was to determine, in this preclinical state, new peripheral gender-associated bioindicators of possible diagnostic or prognostic value. In particular, three different "indicators" of red blood cell injury and aging have been evaluated: glycophorin A, CD47, and phosphatidylserine externalization. Interestingly, all these determinants appeared significantly modified and displayed gender differences. These findings could provide novel and useful hints in the research for gender-based real-time bioindicators in the progression of metabolic syndrome towards coronary artery disease. Further, more extensive studies are, however, necessary in order to validate these findings.

Impact of thrombectomy with EXPort Catheter in Infarct-Related Artery during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (EXPIRA Trial) on cardiac death.

In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) impairment of microcirculatory function is a negative independent predictor of myocardial function recovery. In the Impact of Thrombectomy with EXPort Catheter in Infarct-Related Artery during Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI; EXPIRA) trial we found that manual thrombectomy resulted in a better myocardial reperfusion expressed by an improved procedural outcome and a decrease of infarct size compared to conventional PCI. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the early efficacy of thrombus aspiration translates into very long-term clinical benefit. We randomized 175 patients with STEMI with occlusive thrombus at baseline undergoing primary PCI to thromboaspiration with a manual device (Export Medtronic, n = 88) or standard PCI (n = 87). No differences in baseline, clinical, and angiographic preprocedural findings were observed between the 2 groups except for incidence of hypertension and cholesterol levels. After 24 months major adverse cardiac events were 13.7% versus 4.5% (p = 0.038, log-rank test) and cardiac death was 6.8% versus 0% (p = 0.012, log-rank test). A strict correlation was observed between cardiac death incidence and tissue reperfusion parameters (postprocedural myocardial blush grade and ST-segment resolution). In conclusion, manual thrombus aspiration before stenting of the infarct-related artery in selected patients with STEMI improving myocardial reperfusion significantly decrease cardiac death and major adverse cardiac events at 2 years.

Comparison of immediate vs early invasive strategy in patients with first acute non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The best timing for coronary angiography (immediate vs early) in patients with acute non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is controversial. HYPOTHESIS: Evaluate in NSTEMI patients the effects of an immediate compared to an early invasive strategy on microvascular damage, myocardial perfusion, and infarct size. METHODS: We randomized 54 consecutive patients with first episode of NSTEMI: 27 patients (22 males, age 58.8 ± 9.4 years, group A) underwent immediate (≤6 hours) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a double bolus of eptifibatide, and 27 patients (24 males, age 59.7 ± 9.8 years, P = 0.72, group B) underwent early (7-72 hours) PCI with upstream eptifibatide. Microvascular damage was evaluated at predischarge by myocardial contrast echocardiography, and the contrast defect length was calculated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in pre-PCI myocardial blush grade (MBG) (41% MBG 0 or 1 in group A vs 37% MBG 0 or 1 in group B, P = 0.78), in post-PCI MBG (7.4% MBG 0 or 1 in both groups, P = 1.00), and in contrast defect length (4.5% in group A vs 2.8% in group B, P = 0.56). However, group A showed a significant reduction in creatine kinase myocardial band isoenzyme peak (26 ± 26 ng/mL in group A vs 69 ± 79 ng/mL in group B, P = 0.01) and in troponin T peak (0.84 ± 1.2 ng/mL in group A vs 1.8 ± 2.1 ng/mL in group B, P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NSTEMI treated with eptifibatide, immediate PCI is associated with less increase in myonecrosis markers compared with PCI within 72 hours. There were no significant differences in myocardial perfusion between the 2 strategies.