Long-term risk, clinical management, and healthcare resource utilization of stable patients with coronary artery disease and post-myocardial infarction in Greece - TIGREECE study.

BACKGROUND: In light of the scarcity of evidence, TIGREECE evaluated the clinical management and long-term outcomes of patients at high risk for an atherothrombotic event who have suffered a myocardial infarction (MI), managed by cardiologists/internists in routine hospital and private office settings in Greece. METHODS: TIGREECE, a multicenter, 3-year prospective cohort study, enrolled patients ≥50 years old, with a history of MI 1-3 years before enrollment and with at least one of the following risk factors: age ≥65 years, diabetes mellitus requiring medication, second prior MI, multivessel coronary artery disease, and creatinine clearance 15-60 mL/min. The primary outcome was a composite of MI, unstable angina with urgent revascularization, stroke, or all-cause death. RESULTS: Between 5 June 2014 and 25 July 2015, 305 eligible consented patients (median age: 67.3 years; 81.3% males; 14.8% active smokers; 80.7% overweight/obese) were enrolled; 52.5% had ≥2 qualifying risk factors. The median time from the index MI [ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 51.1%, non-STEMI in 33.1%] to enrollment was 1.7 years. Of the patients, 65.9% had been discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy. At enrollment, 94.4% were receiving antiplatelets: 60.0% single [acetylsalicylic acid (ASA): 43.3%; clopidogrel: 15.7%] and 34.4% dual (ASA + clopidogrel: 31.8%) therapy. The Kaplan-Meier estimated 3-year primary composite event rate was 9.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4-13.0), and the ischemic composite event rate was 6.7% (95% CI: 4.2-9.9). CONCLUSIONS: Study results indicate that in the routine care of Greece one in ten patients experience a recurring cardiovascular event or death, mainly of ischemic origin, 1-3 years post-MI.

The Effect of Iloprost in the Healing of Colonic Anastomosis in Rats under Chemotherapy with Irinotecan.

PURPOSE: We have investigated the possible positive effect of iloprost in the healing of colonic anastomosis, in rats under intraperitoneal chemotherapy with irinotecan. METHOD: Forty male Wistar rats have been divided into four groups. They underwent a partial colectomy and a termino-terminal anastomosis. They were administered, intraperitoneally, saline (group 1), irinotecan (group 2), iloprost (group 3), or irinotecan and iloprost (Group 4). After the sacrifice of the animals what followed was an autopsy, a macroscopic examination and the measurement of the anastomotic rupture pressure. A portion of the anastomosis was sent over for histological examination and determination of hydroxyproline levels. Results: The frequency of the leakage from the anastomosis was considered as significantly increased in group 2 compared with the other groups. In group 2, a significantly greater degree of adhesions, compared to all the remaining groups, was observed. The bursting pressure of the anastomosis was significantly lower in group 2, as compared with all the remaining groups, and significantly increased in the group 4 compared with group 2. Leukocytosis, fibroblasts, the neocollagen and the levels of hydroxyproline in group 4 showed significantly increased values, compared with group 2. The angiogenesis was significantly increased in groups 3 and 4 compared with group 2. Conclusions: Intraperitoneal administration of iloprost after colectomy, termino-terminal anastomosis and intraperitoneal administration of irinotecan promotes the healing process of the colon anastomoses as it competes the inhibitory effect of irinotecan.

Long-term clinical outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention in grafts vs native vessels in patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The long-term clinical outcome of patients with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not clear. METHODS: Observational, retrospective study of post-CABG patients, who underwent PCI in either a graft or a native vessel. RESULTS: Out of 221 consecutive patients, those with PCI in both native vessel and graft (N=16) and missing follow-up data (N=15) were excluded. Out of the remaining 190 patients (age 67.9±9.6 years; 90.0% men), the graft-PCI group (N=88) had more occluded native vessels (2.1±0.8 vs 1.6±0.8; P<0.001), and fewer totally occluded grafts (0.55±0.6 vs 0.75±0.8; P=0.05) compared with the native vessel-PCI group (N=102). On follow-up (median duration 28 months), the incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), cardiac death, and repeat revascularization was higher in graft-PCI group compared with native vessel-PCI group (43.2% vs 19.6%, log-rank P<0.001; 19.3% vs 6.9%, log-rank P=0.008; and 23.9% vs 12.7%, log-rank P=0.02, respectively). Graft-PCI was independently associated with higher risk for major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR], 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-5.57; P=0.002), cardiac death (HR, 3.44; 95% CI, 1.16-10.22; P=0.03) and repeat revascularization (HR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.02-5.72; P=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Post-CABG patients, undergoing graft compared with native vessel-PCI, have worse long-term clinical outcome. Prospective studies are needed to elucidate the optimal revascularization strategy for such patients.