PSYChosomatic Medicine in ONcologIc and Cardiac Disease (PSYCHONIC) Study-A Retrospective and Prospective Observational Research Protocol.

Psychosocial factors play an important role in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This observational study is primarily aimed at assessing the relationship of psychological characteristics of patients with the outcomes of different NCDs, and to assess short-term psychotherapy (STP) efficacy in the real world. Methods: One hundred and forty patients with recent acute myocardial infarction, Takotsubo syndrome, or non-metastatic breast cancer and a control group of 140 age and sex-matched healthy subjects, will be enrolled. All subjects will be administered psychometric tests, quality of life tests, a specific body perception questionnaire, a dream questionnaire, and a projective test, the Six Drawing test at baseline and follow-up. All subjects with medical conditions will be asked to freely choose between an ontopsychological STP along with standard medical therapy and, whenever indicated, rehabilitation therapy or medical therapy plus rehabilitation alone. The study endpoints will be to evaluate: the relationship of the psychological characteristics of enrolled subjects with the outcomes of different NCDs, predictors of the choice of psychotherapy, and the efficacy of ontopsychological intervention on psychological and medical outcomes. Conclusion: This study will generate data on distinctive psychological characteristics of patients suffering from different CDs and their relationship with medical outcomes, as well as explore the efficacy of ontopsychological STP in these patients in the real world. (Number of registration: NCT03437642).

Malignancy in patients with myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries: A systematic review and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: The significance of malignancy in patients with myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is poorly defined. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of malignancy and its association with long-term outcome in MINOCA. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases up to March 31, 2020 to identify studies reporting data on malignancy in full. We performed a random effects meta-analysis of proportions and assessed statistical heterogeneity using the I2 statistic and meta-regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 9 studies including 26,636 patients (11,910 men and 14,726 women) were selected for the meta-analysis. Of them, 655 patients (2.5%) had a diagnosis of malignancy at presentation. Comparison of presenting features and outcome between patients with MINOCA and patients with myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease (MI-CAD) showed that malignancy was significantly more common in the former as compared with the latter (p = 0.019). During a median follow-up of 39 months, 2,081 patients with MINOCA died (7.8%). Meta-regression analysis demonstrated that long-term mortality was associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.0001; coefficient: -0.001; 95% CI: from -0.002 to 0.002), malignancy at presentation (p = 0.01; coefficient: 0.001; 95% CI: from -0.001 to 0.001), and use of beta-blockers during follow-up (p = 0.03; coefficient: 0.001; 95% CI: from -0.000 to 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the prevalence of malignancy in patients with MINOCA is not trivial and is significantly greater than in patients with MI-CAD. Malignancy is significantly associated with an unfavorable long-term prognosis in MINOCA.

Risk Factors for Ischemic Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Several risk factors have been empirically linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Some of them are therapeutically amenable to modification; while others are not. Modifiable risk factors include physical inactivity, tobacco use, diet, "bad fats" in the blood, hypertension, and being overweight; while non-modifiable risk factors include the patient's family history, the presence versus absence of diabetes mellitus, and demographic characteristics like age, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. METHODS: In this article, we review those risk factors that are both clinically important and amenable to change. CONCLUSION: To prevent cardiovascular disease, it is important to minimize modifiable risk factors, like LDL cholesterol.

The co-predictive value of a cardiovascular score for CV outcomes in diabetic patients with no atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors included in the cardiovascular (CHA2 DS2 -VASc) score, currently used for atrial fibrillation (AF), may predispose to cardiovascular events whether or not AF is present. The aim was to explore the predictive role of CHA2 DS2 -VASc score on cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic patients without AF. METHODS: We accessed individual data from 610 diabetic patients without AF at baseline included in the prospective cohort of the Malmö Diet and Cancer study. Main outcome measure was the occurrence of cardiovascular events (stroke, coronary events) and death. Mean follow-up was 14.5 ± 5 years (8845 person/years). RESULTS: The CHA2 DS2 -VASc score significantly predicted the risk of all outcome measures. There was a significant increase in stroke, coronary events, and death risk by each point of CHA2 DS2 -VASc score elevation [stroke: adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.43, 95% CI 1.14-1.79, P = 0.001; coronary events: aHR 1.55, 95% CI 1.34-1.80, P < 0.0001; death: aHR 1.94, 95% CI 1.71-2.21, P < 0.0001]. A CHA2 DS2 -VASc score ≥4 was associated with higher incidence of ischemic stroke (aHR 1.47, 95% CI 1.18-1.82; P = 0.001), coronary events (aHR 1.32; 95% CI 1.11-1.58; P = 0.002), and death (aHR 1.36; 95% CI 1.20-1.54; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study on diabetic patients without AF, the CHA2 DS2 -VASc score was an independent predictor of ischemic stroke, coronary events, and overall mortality. Regardless of the AF status, the CHA2 DS2 -VASc score might represent a rapid and user-friendly tool for clinical assessment of diabetic patients at higher cardiovascular risk.

Short-TErm Psychotherapy IN Acute Myocardial Infarction (STEP-IN-AMI) Trial: Final Results.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to assess whether short-term psychotherapy enhances long-term clinical outcomes in patients with a recent acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Patients ≤70 years old were randomized within 1 week of their AMI to short-term ontopsychological psychotherapy plus routine medical therapy vs routine medical therapy only. The primary composite outcome was defined as the combined incidence of new cardiovascular events (re-infarction, death, stroke, revascularization, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, and the recurrence of clinically significant angina) and clinically significant new comorbidities. Secondary outcome measures were: rates for individual components of the primary composite outcome; the rate of re-hospitalization for cardiovascular problems; and New York Heart Association functional class. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were analyzed, translating into 425 patient-years. The 2 treatment groups were similar across baseline characteristics. At 5-year follow-up, psychotherapy patients had a lower incidence of primary outcome, relative to controls (77/223 vs 98/202 patient-years, respectively; P = .035; absolute risk reduction = 19%, number needed to treat = 8); this benefit was attributable to the lower incidence of new comorbidities and clinically significant angina in the psychotherapy group. Gains in the primary outcome, relative to controls, among psychotherapy patients occurred in the first year and subsequently remained stable over the following 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Adding short-term ontopsychological psychotherapy to routine secondary prevention of myocardial infarction improves clinical outcomes overall up to 5 years post AMI. Studying time trends may aid in better targeting of psychological interventions during follow-up. Larger studies remain necessary to confirm these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrial.gov NCT00769366.

Uric acid and contrast-induced nephropathy: an updated review and meta-regression analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have suggested a relationship between serum uric acid and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). AIM: We performed an updated review and a meta-regression analysis to assess whether serum uric acid is associated with CIN or there exists any relationship between serum uric acid and other risk factors for CIN. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases and reviewed cited references up to July 31, 2018 to identify relevant studies. RESULTS: A total of 6,705 patients from 10 clinical studies were included. CIN occurred in 774 of the 6,705 (12%) patients. Baseline uric acid levels were significantly higher in those who developed CIN (6.51 vs. 5.67 mg/dl; 95% CI: 0.55-1.22, p = 0.00001). Comparison of clinical features showed that patients with CIN were significantly older (69 vs. 63 years; p < 0.00001) and more often had diabetes (42% vs. 32%; p = 0.002) and hypertension (67% vs. 59%; p = 0.03). Also, patients who developed CIN had lower hemoglobin (12.5 vs. 13.6 mg/dl; p < 0.00001) and higher levels of baseline creatinine (1.27 vs. 1.01 mg/dl; p < 0.0001), but had similar levels of glycemia, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride. Also, they showed a lower ejection fraction (45% vs. 50%; p < 0.00001). Meta-regression analysis revealed that uric acid related only to age (r = 0.13, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation indicates that uric acid is significantly associated with CIN. Uric acid correlated significantly with age only, and not with other major predictors of CIN. Further studies are therefore needed to verify the potential of uric acid to improve CIN risk stratification.

Statin pretreatment and risk of in-hospital atrial fibrillation among patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a collaborative meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials.

AIMS: Statin pretreatment in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is understood to prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). However, this is based on observational and limited randomized trial evidence, resulting in uncertainty about any genuine anti-arrhythmic benefits of these agents in this setting. We therefore aimed to quantify precisely the association between statin pretreatment and postoperative AF among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: A detailed search of MEDLINE and PubMed databases (1st January 1996 to 31st July 2012) was conducted, followed by a review of the reference lists of published studies and correspondence with trial investigators to obtain individual-participant data for meta-analysis. Evidence was combined across prospective, randomized clinical trials that compared the risk of postoperative AF among individuals randomized to statin pretreatment or placebo/control medication before elective cardiac surgery. Postoperative AF was defined as episodes of AF lasting ≥5 min. Overall, 1105 participants from 11 trials were included; of them, 552 received statin therapy preoperatively. Postoperative AF occurred in 19% of these participants when compared with 36% of those not treated with statins (odds ratio 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.31-0.54, P < 0.00001, using a random-effects model). Atrial fibrillation prevention by statin pretreatment was consistent across different subgroups. CONCLUSION: Short-term statin pretreatment may reduce the risk of postoperative AF among patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Impact of hypertension on clinical outcome in STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty with BMS or DES: insights from the DESERT cooperation.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a well known risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, data on the prognostic impact of hypertension in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are inconsistent and mainly related to studies performed in the thrombolytic era, with very few data in patients undergoing primary angioplasty. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact hypertension on clinical outcome in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI with BMS or DES. METHODS: Our population is represented by 6298 STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty included in the DESERT database from 11 randomized trials comparing DES vs BMS for STEMI. RESULTS: Hypertension was observed in 2764 patients (43.9%), and associated with ageing (p<0.0001), female gender (p<0.001), diabetes (p<0.0001), hypercholesterolemia (p<0.0001), previous MI (p=0.002), previous revascularization (p=0.002), longer time-to-treatment (p<0.001), preprocedural TIMI 3 flow, and with a lower prevalence of smoking (41% vs 53.9%, p<0.001) and anterior MI (42% vs 45.9%, p=0.002). Hypertension was associated with impaired postprocedural TIMI 0-2 flow (Adjusted OR [95% CI]=1.22 [1.01-1.47], p=0.034). At a follow-up of 1,201 ± 440 days, hypertension was associated with higher mortality (adjusted HR [95% CI]=1.24 [1.01-1.54], p=0.048), reinfarction (adjusted HR [95% CI]=1.31 [1.03-1.66], p=0.027), stent thrombosis (adjusted HR [95% CI]=1.29 [0.98-1.71], p=0.068) and TVR (adjusted HR [95% CI]=1.22 [1.04-1.44], p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that among STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty with DES or BMS, hypertension is independently associated with impaired epicardial reperfusion, mortality, reinfarction and TVR, and a trend in higher ST.

Impact of age on long-term outcome after primary angioplasty with bare-metal or drug-eluting stent (from the DESERT cooperation).

Despite mechanical reperfusion, elderly patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) still experience unsatisfactory outcomes. Drug-eluting stents (DES) have significantly reduced target-vessel revascularization (TVR), but concerns have emerged about the higher risk of late stent thrombosis, which may be more pronounced in elderly patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of age on outcome in patients with STEMI who underwent primary angioplasty with bare-metal stents (BMS) or DES. Our population comprised 6,298 patients who underwent primary angioplasty and stent implantation included in the Drug-Eluting Stent in Primary Angioplasty (DESERT) Cooperation database. Age was significantly associated with female gender (p <0.001), diabetes (p <0.001), hypertension (p <0.001), previous myocardial infarction (MI; p <0.001), ischemia time (p <0.001), and anterior MI (p <0.001) but inversely related to smoking (p <0.001). Elderly patients most often had infarct-related artery located in the descending artery (p = 0.014) and impaired postprocedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow (p <0.001). Elderly patients were less often on clopidogrel at follow-up. At long-term follow-up, age was associated with a higher rate of death (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2.17 [1.97 to 2.39], p <0.0001), whereas no impact was observed on reinfarction (p = 0.36), stent thrombosis (p = 0.84), and TVR (p = 0.54). These results were confirmed in patients receiving both BMS and DES. The impact of age on mortality was confirmed after correction for baseline confounding factors (gender, diabetes hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, ischemia time, anterior MI, infarct-related artery location, and postprocedural thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow; adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] = 2.13 [1.78 to 2.56], p <0.001). In conclusion, this study shows that in patients with STEMI who underwent primary angioplasty, age is independently associated with higher mortality, observed with both BMS and DES, whereas no impact was observed on the rate of reinfarction, stent thrombosis, and TVR.

Endothelial progenitor cells predict long-term prognosis in patients with stable angina treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: five-year follow-up of the PROCREATION study.

BACKGROUND: The association between endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the subsequent long-term clinical outcome remains undefined. To address this issue, a pre-specified analysis of the PROgenitor Cells role in Restenosis and progression of coronary ATherosclerosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PROCREATION) study was done. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 155 patients with stable angina treated with PCI had flow cytometry before PCI. Patients had a 5-year follow-up. Primary outcome was the composite of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (MACCE), that is, death, stroke, myocardial infarction, and revascularization. During follow-up, MACCE occurred in 65 of 155 patients (42%). There were no significant differences in clinical and angiographic variables between patients with or without MACCE, apart from a different extent of coronary atherosclerosis. The incidence of MACCE increased significantly over tertiles of CD34+/KDR+/CD45- cells and CD133+/KDR+/CD45- cells, with rates of 25%, 39%, and 69% (P=0.0001), and 26%, 44%, and 59% (P=0.003), respectively. On multivariate analysis it was estimated that the increase in CD34+/KDR+/CD45- cells was associated with a 35% higher risk for MACCE (hazard ratio [HR], 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-1.99; P=0.001), and the increase in CD133+/KDR+/CD45- cells was associated with a 25% higher risk for MACCE (HR, 1.35; 95% CI: 1.01-1.74; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of subpopulations of circulating EPCs in patients with stable angina treated with PCI can improve characterization of long-term prognosis (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01575431).

Early beneficial effects of drug-eluting stents in vein grafts wane during long term follow-up: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare outcomes of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare-metal stents (BMS) in saphenous vein graft (SVG) interventions in a case-control study with a long-term follow-up. BACKGROUND: Safety and efficacy of DES in SVG interventions are still controversial. METHODS: We performed a multicenter registry assessing clinical outcomes with DES vs. BMS. We included 311 patients (239 men, age 68 ± 8 years) who underwent percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of SVG lesions with DES (n = 138) or BMS (n = 173) with a 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: The two groups were similar for age, sex, main risk factors, incidence of diabetes, use of IIb/IIIa antagonists, use of aspiration devices or filters, number of stents, and total stent length. Overall, at 9 months follow-up incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) were significantly lower in the DES group compared with the BMS group (10.9% vs. 22.0%, P = 0.014 and 8.7% vs. 19.1% in DES and BMS respectively, P = 0.015), while there was no significant difference in incidence of myocardial infarction (5.1% vs. 5.2%, P = 0.96) or death (2.2% vs. 4%, respectively, P = 0.54). However, at 24-month follow-up incidence of MACE was 29.7% in the DES group and 37.0% in BMS group (P = 0.29); incidence of TVR (23.2% vs. 28.9% P = 0.39), myocardial infarction (9.4% vs. 9.2%), death (7.2% vs. 6.9%) were also similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although DES appear safe, our findings suggest that the early benefit of DES in SVG may rapidly wane during long-term follow-up.

Short-term, high-dose Atorvastatin pretreatment to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (from the ARMYDA-CIN [atorvastatin for reduction of myocardial damage during angioplasty--contrast-induced nephropathy] trial.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) impairs clinical outcome in patients undergoing angiographic procedures. The aim of this study was to investigate whether short-term high-dose atorvastatin load decreases the incidence of CIN after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Statin-naive patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI (n = 241) randomly received atorvastatin (80 mg 12 hours before intervention with another 40-mg preprocedure dose, n = 120) or placebo (n = 121). All patients had long-term atorvastatin treatment thereafter (40 mg/day). Primary end point was incidence of CIN defined as postintervention increase in serum creatinine ≥0.5 mg/dl or >25% from baseline. Five percent of patients in the atorvastatin arm developed CIN versus 13.2% of those in the placebo arm (p = 0.046). In the atorvastatin group, postprocedure serum creatinine was significantly lower (1.06 ± 0.35 vs 1.12 ± 0.27 mg/dl in placebo, p = 0.01), creatinine clearance was decreased (80.1 ± 32.2 vs 72.0 ± 26.6 ml/min, p = 0.034), and C-reactive protein peak levels after intervention were decreased (8.4 ± 10.5 vs 13.1 ± 20.8 mg/l, p = 0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that atorvastatin pretreatment was independently associated with a decreased risk of CIN (odds ratios 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.97, p = 0.043). Prevention of CIN with atorvastatin was paralleled by a shorter hospital stay (p = 0.007). In conclusion, short-term pretreatment with high-dose atorvastatin load prevents CIN and shortens hospital stay in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI; anti-inflammatory effects may be involved in this renal protection. These results lend further support to early use of high-dose statins as adjuvant pharmacologic therapy before percutaneous coronary revascularization.

Role of endothelial progenitor cells in restenosis and progression of coronary atherosclerosis after percutaneous coronary intervention: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: We prospectively investigated the relationship of circulating endothelial progenitor cells at time of percutaneous coronary intervention to the subsequent development of in-stent restenosis or progression of coronary atherosclerosis. BACKGROUND: Endothelial progenitor cells provide an endogenous repair mechanism of the dysfunctional endothelium and therefore can play a pathogenic role in coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: We studied 155 consecutive stable angina patients (92 men, age 60 +/- 11 years). All patients had flow cytometry the day before elective percutaneous coronary intervention in order to derive subpopulations of endothelial progenitor cells. A control group of 20 normal subjects was considered for comparison. RESULTS: At 8-month control angiography, 30 patients showed in-stent restenosis (restenosis group), 22 patients showed progression of coronary atherosclerosis (progression group), whereas the remaining 103 patients had neither in-stent restenosis nor progression of coronary atherosclerosis (stable group). Comparison of the 3 groups did not show any difference in risk factors, cardiac morphology and function, extension of coronary artery disease, and treatment. Absolute numbers of CD34+/KDR+/CD45- cells (i.e., progenitors of endothelial lineage) measured in the restenosis group (1.41 +/- 0.64 cells/microl) were significantly higher than in the progression, stable, and control groups (1.03 +/- 0.53 cells/microl, 1.07 +/- 0.46 cells/microl, and 0.95 +/- 0.44 cells/microl, respectively, p < 0.05). Similarly, CD133+/KDR+/CD45- cells (i.e., progenitors of endothelial cells at an earlier stage) were significantly higher in the restenosis (0.63 +/- 0.23 cells/microl) compared with progression, stable, and control groups (0.33 +/- 0.19 cells/microl, 0.41 +/- 0.32 cells/microl, and 0.36 +/- 0.15 cells/microl, respectively, p < 0.001). Also, numbers of CD14+/CD45+ cells (i.e., which have a role in angiogenesis via a paracrine effect) were significantly different among the restenosis, progression, stable, and control groups (0.72 +/- 0.56 cells/microl vs. 0.51 +/- 0.52 cells/microl vs. 0.28 +/- 0.54 cells/microl vs. 0.62 +/- 0.67 cells/microl, respectively, p < 0.05), whereas CD105+/CD45-/CD34- cells (i.e., which have a receptor for transforming growth factor-beta) were similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with restenosis have higher numbers of subpopulations of endothelial progenitor cells that incorporate into endothelial cells or play a role in arteriogenesis compared with controls and patients with either progression of coronary atherosclerosis or stable disease.

Endothelial progenitor cells in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a key role in maintenance of endothelial integrity and postnatal neovascularization. We verified whether the number of subpopulations of EPCs is different in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and normal or impaired left ventricular (LV) function. METHODS: Sixty-eight consecutive patients (37 men, age 60+/-18 years) with CAD were studied. All patients underwent quantitative coronary angiography and flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: Patients with LV ejection fraction <45% (n=22) were compared with those with normal function (n=46). The two groups had similar age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, medical therapy, LV dimension, and number of diseased vessels. Patients with LV dysfunction, by study design, were more symptomatic and had a lower LV ejection fraction. The two groups had similar white cell count and mononuclear cells. The absolute number of CD34 and CD133 cells was significantly (P<0.05) higher in patients with LV dysfunction as compared with patients with normal function or healthy participants. In contrast, CD14 cells were significantly (P=0.005) lower in the former patients than in the latter, whereas no significant difference was noted in the number of cells positive for CD105 among groups. CONCLUSION: Subpopulations of EPCs have a discordant behavior in CAD patients with or without LV dysfunction, with cells positive for the endothelial markers CD34 and CD133 being increased and cells that promote vasculogenesis and microvascular development being significantly reduced.

Short and long-term benefits of sirolimus-eluting stent in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Recent concerns have emerged on the potential higher risk of stent thrombosis after DES implantation, that might be even more pronounced among STEMI patients. The aim of the current study was to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the benefits and safety of Sirolimus-Eluting Stent (SES) as compared to BMS in patients undergoing primary angioplasty for STEMI. METHODS: The literature was scanned by formal searches of electronic databases (MEDLINE and CENTRAL). We examined all completed randomized trials of DES for STEMI. The following keywords were used for study selection: randomized trial, myocardial infarction, reperfusion, primary angioplasty, stenting, DES, sirolimus-eluting stent (SES), Cypher. Information on study design, type of stent, inclusion and exclusion criteria, primary endpoint, number of patients, angiographic and clinical outcome, were extracted by two investigators. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. RESULTS: A total of 9 trials were included in the meta-analysis, involving 2,769 patients (1389 or 50.2% randomized to DES and 1,380 or 49.8% randomized to BMS). At 12 months follow-up, SES was associated with a significant reduction in TVR (4.9% vs. 13.6%, p < 0.0001), with a trend in benefits in mortality (2.9% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.08) and reinfarction (3.0% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.06), without any significant difference in stent thrombosis (1.9% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.36). Safety and efficacy of DES were confirmed at 2-3 years follow-up (data available from 4 trials including 569 patients). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis shows that among selected STEMI patients undergoing primary angioplasty, SES as compared to BMS is safe and associated with a significant reduction in TVR at 1 and 2-3 years follow-up.

Spontaneous left main coronary artery dissection.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare and generally fatal disease. A review of the literature demonstrates that the aetiopathogenesis of the disease is unknown and that the histology is rarely described. It usually occurs in young women during the post-partum period or while taking oral contraceptives. The treatment depends on the clinical presentation and the results of the angiography. We report here a case of spontaneous dissection of the left main stem coronary artery, with extension into the left coronary territory which which occurred in a 43-year-old woman.

Usefulness of statin pretreatment to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy and to improve long-term outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing angiography. This study investigated whether statins decrease incidence of CIN in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and evaluated the influence of such potential benefit on long-term outcome. Four-hundred thirty-four patients undergoing PCI were prospectively enrolled and followed up to 4 years. Patients were stratified according to preprocedural statin therapy (260 statin treated, 174 statin naive). CIN was defined as a postprocedural increase in serum creatinine of >or=0.5 mg/dl or>25% from baseline. Follow-up assessment included 4-year occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. Statin-treated patients had a significantly lower incidence of CIN (3% vs 27%, p<0.0001; 90% risk decrease) and had better postprocedural creatinine clearance (80+/-20 vs 65+/-16 ml/min, p<0.0001). Benefit of statin before treatment was observed in all subgroups, except in patients with a pre-existing creatinine clearance<40 ml/min. During follow-up, CIN was a predictor of poorer outcome; 4-year survival free of major adverse cardiac events was highest in statin-treated patients without CIN (95%, p

Levosimendan allows detection of contractile reserve in patients with chronic ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction and non-diagnostic dobutamine echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Dobutamine echocardiography is commonly used to detect contractile reserve in ischaemic left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, although its sensitivity and specificity are not optimal. We tested the hypothesis that echocardiography with levosimendan could identify contractile reserve in patients with a non-diagnostic dobutamine test. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with LV ejection fraction <40% and non-diagnostic dobutamine echocardiography underwent levosimendan challenge (24 microg/kg in 10 min) prior to coronary angioplasty or surgery. RESULTS: Contractile reserve was identified by levosimendan in 10 patients (Gr. A) but was not seen in 12 patients (Gr. B). With levosimendan, LV ejection fraction increased and wall motion score index decreased significantly in Gr. A, but only slightly in Gr. B. Similarly, mean mitral annular plane excursion and peak systolic mitral annular motion velocity increased significantly in Gr. A only. Six months after revascularisation, contractile reserve was seen in 8/10 Gr. A patients but in only 2/12 Gr. B patients (80% vs 17%, p=0.011). LV ejection fraction, wall motion score index, mean mitral annular plane excursion and peak systolic mitral annular motion velocity were significantly higher in Gr. A than in Gr. B. CONCLUSION: Levosimendan echocardiography can identify contractile reserve in a sizeable proportion of patients with chronic ischaemic LV dysfunction and a non-diagnostic dobutamine test.

Randomized trial of atorvastatin for reduction of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: results of the ARMYDA-3 (Atorvastatin for Reduction of MYocardial Dysrhythmia After cardiac surgery) study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery is associated with increased risk of complications, length of stay, and cost of care. Observational evidence suggests that patients who have undergone previous statin therapy have a lower incidence of postoperative AF. We tested this observation in a randomized, controlled trial. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, without previous statin treatment or history of AF, were enrolled. Patients were randomized to atorvastatin (40 mg/d, n=101) or placebo (n=99) starting 7 days before operation. The primary end point was incidence of postoperative AF; secondary end points were length of stay, 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, and postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) variations. Atorvastatin significantly reduced the incidence of AF versus placebo (35% versus 57%, P=0.003). Accordingly, length of stay was longer in the placebo versus atorvastatin arm (6.9+/-1.4 versus 6.3+/-1.2 days, P=0.001). Peak CRP levels were lower in patients without AF (P=0.01), irrespective of randomization assignment. Multivariable analysis showed that atorvastatin treatment conferred a 61% reduction in risk of AF (odds ratio 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.85, P=0.017), whereas high postoperative CRP levels were associated with increased risk (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 7.0, P=0.01). The incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events at 30 days was similar in the 2 arms. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with atorvastatin 40 mg/d, initiated 7 days before surgery, significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative AF after elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and shortens hospital stay. These results may influence practice patterns with regard to adjuvant pharmacological therapy before cardiac surgery.

Prevention of myocardial damage during coronary intervention.

Myocardial injury during coronary intervention occurs in 10-40% of cases and is often characterized by a slight increase of markers of myocardial necrosis, without symptoms, electrocardiographic changes or impairment of cardiac function. However, even small increases of creatine kinase-MB levels are expression of a true and detectable infarction, and may be associated with higher follow-up mortality. The cause of CK-MB elevation in case of procedural complications (dissection, transient vessel closure, no reflow, side branch occlusion etc.) is obvious; however, most cases of minor CK-MB elevation occur in patients with uncomplicated procedure with excellent final angiographic results. It has been suggested that the main mechanism explaining occurrence of myocardial necrosis during otherwise successful coronary interventions may be distal microembolization of plaque components, an enhanced inflammatory state or due to total plaque burden and/or to plaque instability. Different treatments have been proposed to prevent myocardial injury during coronary intervention, including nitrate infusion, intracoronary beta-blockers, adenosine, clopidogrel and IIb/IIIa inhibitors, but none of those (apart from the use of IIb/IIIa inhibitors) has been routinely introduced in clinical practice. We performed the ARMYDA (Atorvastatin for Reduction of MYocardial Damage during Angioplasty) trial, i.e. the first prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study to evaluate effects of 7 days of pre-treatment with a fixed dose of atorvastatin (40 mg/day) on post-procedural release of markers of myocardial damage in patients with stable angina undergoing percutaneous intervention. In this study therapy with atorvastatin has been associated with 80% risk reduction on the occurrence of peri-procedural myocardial infarction, as well as with significant reduction of post-intervention peak levels of all markers of myocardial damage. The mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of atorvastatin may be an inflammatory action reducing myocardial necrosis due to microembolization, an improvement of endothelial function on microcirculation, and direct protection of myocardium.