P2Y12 Inhibitor Loading Time Before Elective PCI and the Prevention of Myocardial Necrosis.

BACKGROUND: There are dated and conflicting data about the optimal timing of initiation of P2Y12 inhibitors in elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Peri-PCI myocardial necrosis is associated with poor outcomes. We aimed to assess the impact of the P2Y12 inhibitor loading time on periprocedural myocardial necrosis in the population of the randomized Assessment of Loading With the P2Y12 Inhibitor Ticagrelor or Clopidogrel to Halt Ischemic Events in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Stenting (ALPHEUS) trial, which compared ticagrelor with clopidogrel in high-risk patients who received elective PCI. METHODS: The ALPHEUS trial divided 1809 patients into quartiles of loading time. The ALPHEUS primary outcome was used (type 4 [a or b] myocardial infarction or major myocardial injury) as well as the main secondary outcome (type 4 [a or b] myocardial infarction or any type of myocardial injury). RESULTS: Patients in the first quartile group (Q1) presented higher rates of the primary outcome (P = 0.01). When compared with Q1, incidences of the primary outcome decreased in patients with longer loading times (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR], 0.70 [0.52.-0.95]; P = 0.02 for Q2; adjOR 0.65 [0.48-0.88]; P < 0.01 for Q3; adjOR 0.66 [0.49-0.89]; P < 0.01 for Q4). Concordant results were found for the main secondary outcome. There was no interaction with the study drug allocated by randomization (clopidogrel or ticagrelor). Bleeding complications (any bleeding ranging between 4.9% and 7.3% and only 1 major bleeding at 48 hours) and clinical ischemic events were rare and did not differ among groups. CONCLUSIONS: In elective PCI, administration of the oral P2Y12 inhibitor at the time of PCI could be associated with more frequent periprocedural myocardial necrosis than an earlier administration. The long-term clinical consequences remain unknown.

Prevalence of psychoactive drug use in patients hospitalized for acute cardiac events: Rationale and design of the ADDICT-ICCU trial, from the Emergency and Acute Cardiovascular Care Working Group and the National College of Cardiologists in Training of the French Society of Cardiology.

BACKGROUND: Psychoactive drugs, including illicit drugs, are associated with an increased rate of cardiovascular events. The prevalence and outcome of patients using these drugs at the time of admission to an intensive cardiac care unit is unknown. AIM: To assess the prevalence of psychoactive drugs detected in consecutive patients hospitalized in an intensive cardiac care unit for an acute cardiovascular event. METHODS: This is a nationwide prospective multicentre study, involving 39 centres throughout France, including all consecutive patients hospitalized in an intensive cardiac care unit within 2weeks. Psychoactive drug use will be assessed systematically by urine drug assay within 2hours of intensive cardiac care unit admission, to detect illicit (cannabinoids, cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, heroin and other opioids) and non-illicit (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, methadone and buprenorphine) psychoactive drugs. Smoking will be investigated systematically by exhaled carbon monoxide measurement, and alcohol consumption using a standardized questionnaire. In-hospital major adverse events, including death, resuscitated cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock, will be recorded. After discharge, all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events will be recorded systematically and adjudicated at 12months of follow-up. RESULTS: The primary outcome will be the prevalence of psychoactive drugs detected by systematic screening among all patients hospitalized in an intensive cardiac care unit. The in-hospital major adverse events will be analysed according to the presence or absence of detected psychoactive drugs. Subgroup analysis stratified by initial clinical presentation and type of psychoactive drug will be performed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective multicentre study to assess the prevalence of psychoactive drugs detected by systematic screening in consecutive patients hospitalized for acute cardiovascular events.

Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients With Fibromuscular Dysplasia in a Population of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissections (from the French Registry of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissections "DISCO").

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) are pathologies that appear to be closely related. This study compares the characteristics of the FMD population to the non-FMD population in a SCAD cohort. It thus assesses the involvement of the FMD phenotype in a SCAD population. From the data of the French DISCO registry, we included patients with a diagnosis of SCAD and in whom a search for FMD was performed. We collected the following characteristics of this population: the clinical and angiographic presentation, the data concerning the management, and the events occurring during the follow-up. In the 373 SCADs confirmed in the DISCO registry, we obtained imaging data for 340 of them. FMD was found in 45% of cases. The mean age was higher in the FMD group, 53.2 ± 8.8 years, versus 50.1 ± 11 years in the non-FMD group. High blood pressure and postmenopausal status were significantly higher in the FMD group. Clinical presentation, angiographic data, and management were comparable. The major adverse cardiac event rate and recurrence rate were not different between the 2 groups after 1 year of follow-up. In conclusion, we confirmed a 45% prevalence of FMD in the SCAD population. The median age was higher in the FMD group, suggesting that FMD may develop over time. The rate of major adverse cardiac events and recurrence were similar in the FMD group versus the non-FMD group after 1 year of follow-up.

Residual platelet reactivity, thrombus burden and myocardial reperfusion in patients treated by PCI after successful pre-hospital fibrinolysis compared to primary PCI.

We compared residual platelet reactivity and post PCI atherothrombotic burden using OFDI in patients successfully treated by primary PCI versus pharmacoinvasive approach (PI) defined as PCI after successful pre-hospital fibrinolysis. Despite pre-hospital P2Y12-inhibitor loading dose, high rates of high on-treatment platelet reactivity were found at the time of PCI in both groups. Primary PCI patients had higher post stenting thrombus burden and lower rates of final normal myocardial blush grade compared to PI. These findings support the use of a pharmacoinvasive reperfusion strategy especially when primary PCI cannot be timely performed.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prognostic impact of cancer among patients with acute coronary syndrome and/or percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer admitted for an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a growing and high-risk population. The influence of co-existing cancer on mortality remains unclear in such patients. We aimed to assess the impact of cancer on early and late, all-cause and cardiac mortality in the setting of ACS and/or PCI. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing outcomes of patients with and without a history of cancer admitted for ACS and/or PCI. RESULTS: Six studies including 294,528 ACS patients and three studies including 39,973 PCI patients were selected for our meta-analysis. Patients with cancer had increased rates of in-hospital all-cause death (RR 1.74 [1.22; 2.47]), cardiac death (RR 2.44 [1.73; 3.44]) and bleeding (RR 1.64 [1.35; 1.98]) as well as one-year all-cause death (RR 2.62 [1.2; 5.73]) and cardiac death (RR 1.89 [1.25; 2.86]) in ACS studies. Rates of long term all-cause (RR 1.96 [1.52; 2.53]) but not cardiac death were higher in cancer patients admitted for PCI. CONCLUSION: Cancer patients represent a high-risk population both in the acute phase and at long-term after an ACS or PCI. The magnitude of the risk of mortality should however be tempered by the heterogeneity among studies. Early and long term optimal management of such patients should be promoted in clinical practice.

Safety and efficacy of IIb/IIIa inhibitors in combination with highly active oral antiplatelet regimens in acute coronary syndromes: A meta-analysis of pivotal trials.

The risk and benefit of GP-IIb/IIIa Inhibition (GPI) in combination with recent antiplatelet regimens in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) remain unassessed. The advent of fast-acting highly active oral P2Y12 inhibitors questions the additional value and risk of their association with GPI. We studied the effect of GPI in combination with prasugrel and ticagrelor, compared to clopidogrel on major bleeding in pivotal randomized controlled trials in the setting of ACS, using a meta-analytic approach. A similar analysis, further including the comparison of a double versus standard dose clopidogrel regimen, was performed for the risk of the primary efficacy endpoint. The combination of GPI and recent P2Y12 inhibitors was associated with a similar risk of bleeding as compared with GPI and the standard clopidogrel regimen (RR 0.92 [0.74; 1.13]). The benefit of recent regimens, including double dose clopidogrel, in reducing the primary ischemic endpoint (RR 0.86 [0.78; 0.94]) persisted in those treated with GPI. Although GPI use was associated with a consistent increase in the risk of bleeding in both recent (RR 1.27 [1.05-1.55]) and standard regimens (RR 2.01 [1.64-2.47]), the relative magnitude of such an increase was lower in association with prasugrel or ticagrelor as compared with clopidogrel. The risk of bleeding using a combination of GPI and oral antiplatelet regimens is mainly related to the use of GPI and not the oral antiplatelet regimen. Considering the absence of increased risk of bleeding and the persistence of the benefit of recent P2Y12 regimens in combination with GPI as compared with the standard clopidogrel regimen, the use of such a combination within the guidelines is supported by our findings.

Major congenital coronary artery anomalies in a paediatric and adult population: a prospective echocardiographic study.

AIMS: We sought to describe our experience with major coronary anomalies (MCAs) diagnosed in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in a large adult and paediatric population. MCAs may have serious clinical consequences. No echocardiographic studies have prospectively screened MCA in a general adult and paediatric population. METHODS AND RESULTS: From June 2008 to January 2012, a systematic search for MCA was prospectively conducted in children and adult patients, coming for a TTE. Three thousand five hundred and two patients (84% adults and 16% children) underwent a TTE. Fourteen coronary anomalies (0.39%) were diagnosed: nine anomalous origins of coronary artery from the opposite sinus with inter-arterial course, one abnormal left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, three single coronary ostia, and one coronary fistula. Cardiac symptoms initiated investigation in seven patients. Five patients underwent specific surgery: two coronary reimplantations and three coronary bypass grafting. Ten patients had already undergone at least one TTE with the anomalous coronary artery being neither diagnosed nor suspected. CONCLUSIONS: MCA is a rare condition. TTE appears to be a potentially useful modality for the initial screening of MCA in adults and children, provided special attention is paid to coronary artery analysis.

Rotational atherectomy as endovascular haute couture: a road map of tools and techniques for the interventional management of burr entrapment.

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND: Rotational atherectomy (RA) is used as a debulking technique prior to stenting in some specialized cardiac centers for calcified coronary lesions amenable to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A specific possible complication, burr entrapment, is unusual but carries serious risks and may sometimes necessitate surgery as a rescue procedure. However, different modalities using a percutaneous approach were proposed as a bail-out. We aim to propose a framework for possible management for trapped RA burr. METHODS AND RESULTS: A literature review of the most relevant cases of entrapped burr during PCI was performed. Twelve cases were reported and different solutions were discussed. Surgery was needed in only 1 patient to retrieve the trapped burr, and in all the other cases, different percutaneous solutions were successful to retract the trapped device. CONCLUSIONS: These cases illustrate that burr entrapment during RA, albeit rare, may occur and may transform a relatively simple PCI to a procedure failure. Although prevention is better than treatment, the operators should be aware of such serious complication and they should keep in mind that various possible percutaneous solutions may be successful to retrieve the burr and to avoid surgery.

Rotational atherectomy for left main coronary artery disease in octogenarians: transradial approach in a tertiary center and literature review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to appreciate the safety and effectiveness of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with rotational atherectomy for highly calcified left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease in octogenarians. BACKGROUND: Conventional surgery is still considered the preferred management for LMCA disease; but, when the lesion is severely calcified, and the patient is unsuitable for surgery, the interventional cardiologist faces a complex PCI traditionally approached by femoral access. METHODS: Between June 2004 and December 2010, octogenarians with calcified LMCA disease who were primary denied for surgical revascularization were enrolled. Procedural success and major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular events (MACCE) including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization (TLR), or stroke during long-term follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-two consecutive patients ≥80 years had undergone stenting for calcified LMCA disease (13 with rotational atherectomy, the "Rota" group, and 29 without rotational atherectomy, the "without Rota" group). Procedural success was good (92.3% vs. 96.6%, respectively, p = NS). Mean follow-up time was 25.7 ± 21.4 and 28 ± 32.3 months, respectively. There was a TLR in 25% and 11.1%, respectively; p = NS. No difference was detected in terms of overall in-hospital or long-term mortality or MACCE. CONCLUSION: Rotational atherectomy followed by stent implantation by transradial approach, when applied to heavily calcified lesions, appeared to be a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of LMCA disease in octogenarians who were refused for surgery.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: one entity with several therapeutic options.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an unusual and a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome and sudden death with multiple predisposing factors. Prompt recognition is crucial for appropriate patient management, but specific guidelines for optimal treatment are lacking. We report four cases of women with spontaneous coronary artery dissection revealed by ST-segment elevation, three in women during postpartum and one case associated with a Marfan syndrome. Our cases span the different therapeutic options from medical treatment, stenting, to coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Left main coronary stenting in a non surgical octogenarian population: a possible approach.

Coronary artery bypass grafting is conventionally considered the standard treatment for significant left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease. The management of LMCA disease in octogenarians is however still debated. The aim of this study was to appreciate the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for LMCA disease in octogenarians who were denied for surgical revascularization. The study included 70 consecutive patients ≥80 years of age who had undergone PCI for the treatment of LMCA and who were primary denied by our center's heart team for surgical revascularization. Mean age was 83.4±2.6 years. Mean Euroscore was 21.1±16.7 and mean Syntax score was 28.6±8.7. Overall in-hospital mortality was 11%. Mean follow-up time was 30.5±24.2 months. Overall mortality at the end of follow-up was 28%. Cardiac death was found in 18 patients and 2 patients died from terminal renal insufficiency. One patient (2%) presented with a new STEMI, 7 (11.3%) with a new non-STEMI, 13 (21%) with heart failure, and 2 (3.2%) had minor hemorrhage. There was a percutaneous target vessel revascularization in 6 (10%) patients. During follow-up, the total major adverse cerebral and cardiovascular event (MACCE including death, non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), or stroke) was 27.4%. Stent implantation was relatively safely applied for the treatment of LMCA disease in octogenarians who were refused for surgery and who represented a high risk population. Despite a non-negligible rate of MACCE, the clinical long term outcome seems correct for this specific population with heavy basal status.

Thrombus in normal coronary arteries: retrospective study and review of case reports.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction is rarely caused by non-occlusive thrombus in angiographically normal coronary arteries. The cases reported in the literature are scarce and follow-up was usually short. The efficacy and tolerability of the exclusively medical treatment strategy used in most cases remain unknown. AIMS: To evaluate efficacy of medical treatment and long-term prognosis in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively selected and analysed patients hospitalized in our centre between 1998 and 2008 for myocardial infarction caused by non-occlusive thrombus in angiographically normal coronary arteries (defined as stenosis<30%), who were exclusively medically treated. A long-term follow-up was performed. A review of the literature regarding such cases was carried out. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were identified; apart from smoking, they had few conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Two patients died in hospital. The 14 survivors were followed up for an average of 4.9 years and only one death (non-cardiac cause) and one stroke (related to supraventricular arrhythmia) occurred in this period. Medical treatment included the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in 75% of cases. The literature review revealed 36 similar cases due to multiple aetiologies-particularly coronary artery spasm and prothrombotic coagulopathies. CONCLUSION: Patients with myocardial infarction secondary to non-occlusive thrombus in angiographically normal coronary arteries seem to have a good long-term prognosis after the acute phase when treated with an exclusively medical strategy. However, initial clinical presentation was often severe, leading to early in-hospital death.

Management of May-Hegglin anomaly referred for coronary artery bypass.

We report the case of a patient with May-Hegglin anomaly who underwent a coronary bypass graft using an extra-corporeal circulation and discuss the perioperative and anesthetic management.