Copeptin for the differentiation of type 1 versus type 2 myocardial infarction or myocardial injury.

BACKGROUND: The rapid and reliable differentiation of myocardial infarction (MI) due to atherothrombosis (T1MI) from MI due to supply-demand mismatch (T2MI) or acute myocardial injury is of major clinical relevance due to very different treatments, but still a major unmet clinical need. This study aimed to investigate whether copeptin, a stress hormone produced in the hypothalamus, helps to differentiate between T1MI versus T2MI or injury. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, 1271 unselected consecutive patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of MI to the emergency department were evaluated. Patients diagnosed with ST-elevation MI were excluded. All patients with elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration possibly indicating MI were classified into T1MI, T2MI, or acute myocardial injury using detailed clinical assessment and coronary imaging. Copeptin plasma concentration was measured in a blinded fashion. A multicenter diagnostic study with central adjudication of the final diagnosis served as external validation cohort (n = 1390). RESULTS: Among 1161 patients, 154 patients had increased cTnI concentration. Of these, 78 patients (51%) were classified as T1MI and 76 (49%) as T2MI or myocardial injury. Patients with T2MI or myocardial injury had significantly higher copeptin plasma concentration between patients versus T1MI (21,4 pmol/l versus 8,1 pmol/l, p = 0,001). A multivariable regression analysis revealed that higher concentrations of copeptin and C-reactive protein, higher heart rate at presentation and lower frequency of smoking remained significantly associated with T2MI and myocardial injury. Findings were largely confirmed in the external validation cohort. CONCLUSION: In patients without ST-segment elevation, copeptin concentration was higher in T2MI and myocardial Injury versus T1MI and may help in their differential diagnosis.

[Communication interventriculaire compliquant un infarctus de myocarde antérieur : un cas de fermeture percutanée]. / Ventricular septal defect complicating anterior acute myocardial infarction : A Case of transcatheter closure.

INTRODUCTION: Post-infarction ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is one of the most serious mechanical complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Over the last decade, percutaneous closure is increasingly undertaken, with results similar to cardiac surgery. We present a case of ST-elevated anterior AMI, complicated by apical PIVSD successfully treated with transcatheter closure. CASE REPORT: An 83-year-old man was hospitalized for chest pain occurred 18 hours before, during the night time. He was an active smoker. Clinical examination revealed normal heart sounds and pulmonary bibasilar crackles. ST-segment elevation with deep T waves inversion in anterior leads were detected on the electrocardiogram. A mildly-reduced ejection fraction (40%) was found by transthoracic echocardiogram. The patient underwent emergency coronary angiography, which revealed a subocclusive stenosis of the mid left anterior descending artery with a TIMI 2 flow, treated by balloon angioplasty and drug-eluting stent. Four days after revascularization, the patient developed an acute deterioration with signs of decompensated heart failure and a new holosystolic murmur with large irradiation. Inotropic agents' administration was required to maintain a precarious hemodynamic condition. A bedside Echo revealed an apical VSD, measuring 15 × 10 mm, with left-to-right shunting, and pulmonary hypertension. The patient was scheduled for transcatheter PIVSD closure. The procedure was performed under fluoroscopic guide. Two vascular access sites were placed, femoral arterial and right internal jugular vein. Through the right internal jugular vein, a 24-mm Amplatzer atrial septal occluder on a 9 French Amplatzer TREVISIO™ intravascular delivery system was advanced via right ventricle into the PIVSD. Contrast fluoroscopy was used to assess apposition and the degree of shunt reduction before release. Echocardiographic evaluation performed 48 hours later confirmed a correct apposition of the device with insignificant residual shunt. At 6 months follow-up, he was asymptomatic, with unchanged prosthetic findings. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous closure has been emerged as a valid cost-effective alternative to surgery and should be advised. However, debate remains on the optimal preprocedural optimization, timing of repair and modality of treatment.

A Real-World Analysis of New-Onset Heart Failure After Anterior Wall ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction in the United States.

The 1-year incidence of heart failure (HF) after anterior wall ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains difficult to determine because of inconsistencies in reporting, definitions, and adjudication. The objective of this study was to evaluate the 1-year incidence of HF after anterior wall STEMI in a real-world data set using a variety of potential criteria and composite definitions. In a retrospective cohort study, anonymized patient data was accessed through a federated health research network (TriNetX Limited Liability Company (LLC)) of 56 US healthcare organizations (US Collaborative Network). Patients were identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision criteria for anterior wall STEMI during the 10-year period from 2013 to 2022 and the absence of prespecified signs or symptoms of HF. Values for 1-year incidence were calculated as 1 minus Kaplan-Meier survival at 12 months after anterior wall STEMI. Univariate Cox proportional hazard ratio was calculated to compare risk associated with potential risk factors. The analysis utilized 5 different types of definition criteria for HF: Diagnosis codes, Signs and symptoms, Laboratory/imaging, Medications, and Composites. A total of 34,395 patients from the US Collaborative Network met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The 1-year incidence of HF varied from 2% to 30% depending upon the definition criteria. Although no single criteria exceeded a 1-year incidence of 20%, a simple composite of HF diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision-I50) or use of loop diuretic produced a 1-year incidence 26.1% that was used as the benchmark outcome for evaluation of risk factors. Age ≥65 years, Black race, low-density lipoprotein ≥100 mg/100 ml, elevated hemoglobin A1c (7% to 9% and >9%), and body mass index≥35 kg/m2 were also associated with increased risk of HF. In conclusion, patients with anterior wall STEMI continue to be at high risk for new-onset HF. In the absence of structured, prospective, systematically adjudicated diagnostic criteria, composite definitions are more likely to yield accurate estimates of HF incidence.

Surgical repair of post myocardial infarction ventricular septal defect: a retrospective analysis of a single institution experience.

INTRODUCTION: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) with a very high mortality, despite advances in surgical and circulatory support. The tremendous hemodynamic disturbance and the severely fragile myocardium render surgical repair a great challenge. The optimal time of surgical repair with or without circulatory support is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review our experience with early surgical repair of post-MI VSD in a single major cardiac institution in China. METHODS: From January 2013 to October 2020, 9consecutive patients presented to our emergency department with a diagnosis of post-MI VSD. Among them, 8 were male, and the mean age was 58 ± 7years. The mean VSD size was 22.5 ± 5.7 mm. In all patients, an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)was inserted immediately after admission to cardiac surgery service. All patients were operated at a mean of 3.3 ± 2.9 days, and 4 within 24 h of the rupture (range 1 to 9 days post-VSD). In 5 cases, the VSD was located superiorly, and 4 cases in the posterior septum. RESULTS: The overall 30-day mortality was 11% (1/9). Coronary angiography was performed in all nine patients, four with single vessel disease had coronary stents implanted, and the other five received concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting during VSD repair surgery. There was no death in all 5 patients with anterior septal perforation. One patient with posterior septal perforation died in the operating room due to bleeding from the ventriculotomy site. Three survived patients were diagnosed with a small residual defect and mild left to right shunt post-repair. However, no further intervention was required, and patients remained asymptomatic (Killip II in 1 and III in 2). CONCLUSION: In our experience, immediate insertion of IABP and hemodynamic stabilization with early surgical intervention of VSD repair and concomitant coronary revascularization provided an 89% survival rate.

Hybrid Closure of Postinfarction Apical Ventricular Septal Defect Using Septal Occluder Device and Right Ventricular Free Wall: The Apical BASSINET Concept.

BACKGROUND: Postinfarction ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a catastrophic complication of myocardial infarction. Surgical repair still has poor outcomes. This report describes clinical outcomes after a novel hybrid transcatheter/surgical repair in patients with apical VSD. METHODS: Seven patients with postmyocardial infarction apical VSD underwent hybrid transcatheter repair via subxiphoid surgical access. A transcatheter occluder (Amplatzer Septal Occluder) with a trailing premounted suture was deployed through the right ventricular wall and through the ventricular septum into the left ventricular apex. The trailing suture was used to connect an anchor external to the right ventricular wall. Tension on the suture then collapses the right ventricular free wall against the septum and left ventricular occluder, thereby obliterating the VSD. Outcomes were compared with 9 patients who underwent surgical repair using either patch or primary suture closure. RESULTS: All patients had significant left-to-right shunt (Qp:Qs 2.5:1; interquartile range [IQR, 2.1-2.6] hybrid repair versus 2.0:1 [IQR, 2.0-2.5] surgical repair), and elevated right ventricular systolic pressure (62 [IQR, 46-71] versus 49 [IQR, 43-54] mm Hg, respectively). All had severely depressed stroke volume index (22 versus 21 mL/m2) with ≈45% in each group requiring mechanical support preprocedurally. The procedure was done 15 (IQR, 10-50) versus 24 (IQR, 10-134) days postmyocardial infarction, respectively. Both groups of patients underwent repair with technical success and without intraprocedural death. One patient in the hybrid group and 4 in the surgical group developed multiorgan failure. The hybrid group had a higher survival at discharge (86% versus 56%) and at 30 days (71% versus 56%), but similar at 1 year (57% versus 56%). During follow-up, 1 patient in each group required reintervention for residual VSD (hybrid: 9 months versus surgical: 5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Early intervention with a hybrid transcatheter/surgical repair may be a viable alternative to traditional surgery for postinfarction apical VSD.

Prevalence and outcomes of type 2 myocardial infarction in patients with cancer: A retrospective analysis from the National Inpatient Sample dataset.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of type 2 myocardial infarction (T2AMI) in patients with versus without cancer. METHODS: All hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of T2AMI were stratified according to cancer status (secondary diagnosis of any-cancer vs cancer-free) using data from the US National Inpatient Sample (2016-2019). The primary outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality while secondary outcomes were in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). RESULTS: Among 61,305 included hospitalizations with primary diagnosis of T2AMI, 3745 (6.1%) were associated with a diagnosis of cancer. Patients with T2AMI and cancer presented more frequently with acute respiratory failure (23.2% vs 18.1%), acute pulmonary embolism (3.7% v 1.3%), major bleeding (6.8% vs 4.1%) and renal failure (51.0% vs 46.8%), compared to patients without. On adjusted analysis, diagnosis of cancer was associated with lower odds of invasive coronary angiography (aOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.93, p = 0.009) but greater odds of mortality (aOR 1.95, 95% C.I. 1.26-2.99 p = 0.002). Among the different types of cancer, adjusted risk of all-cause mortality was higher in patients with colorectal (aOR 4.17 95% CI 1.68-10.32, p = 0.002), lung (aOR 3.63, 95% CI 1.83-7.18, p < 0.001) and haematologic (aOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.22-5.05, p = 0.001) cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cancer presenting with T2AMI have lower odds of management with invasive diagnostic coronary angiography and have higher rates of in-hospital all-cause death. Further studies are warranted to improve overall care and outcomes of cancer patients and cardiovascular diseases.

Clinical risk factors and outcomes of young patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analysis the clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute STEMI in patients aged ≤ 45 years. METHODS: Seven hundred and one patients with STEMI from Liaocheng People's Hospital from January 2018 to March 2021 were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes (average follow-up: 11.5 months) were compared between patients aged ≤ 45 years and those aged > 45 years. RESULTS: Of the patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention, 108 (15.4%) were aged ≤ 45 years. Compared to the older group, the younger patient group included more males, current smokers, and those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or a family history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The culprit vessel in young patients was the left anterior descending (LAD) artery (60% vs. 45.9%, P = 0.031), which may have been due to smoking (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-10.98, P = 0.042). Additionally, young patients presented with higher low-density lipoprotein and lower high-density lipoprotein levels than older patients; uric acid levels were also significantly higher in younger patients than that in the older group. Diabetes showed a trend toward major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in both groups; age and sex were both independent predictors of MACE in older patients. CONCLUSION: More patients who were smokers, had AUD, or a family history of IHD were present in the young patient group. Hyperuricaemia (but not dyslipidaemia) was a prevalent risk factor in patients aged ≤ 45 years. Diabetes should be controlled to reduce cardiovascular events in young patients.

In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a retrospective study under the China chest pain center (standard center) treatment system.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) despite timely treatment. This study aimed to investigate the independent predictors and their predictive value of in-hospital MACE after primary PCI in patients with acute STEMI under the China chest pain center (standard center) treatment system. METHODS: We performed a single-center, retrospective study of 151 patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI. All patients were treated under the China chest pain center (standard center) treatment system. The data collected included general data, vital signs, auxiliary examination results, data related to interventional therapy, and various treatment delays. The primary endpoint was the in-hospital MACE defined as the composite of all-cause death, stroke, nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction, new-onset heart failure, and malignant arrhythmias. RESULTS: In-hospital MACE occurred in 71 of 151 patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), serum creatinine (sCr), multivessel coronary artery disease, and Killip class III/IV were risk factors for in-hospital MACE, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), were protective factors, with eGFR, LVEF, cTnI, SBP, and Killip class III/IV being independent predictors of in-hospital MACE. The prediction model had good discrimination with an area under the curve = 0. 778 (95%CI: 0.690-0.865). Good calibration and clinical utility were observed through the calibration and decision curves, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that eGFR, LVEF, cTnI, SBP, and Killip class III/IV independently predict in-hospital MACE after primary PCI in patients with acute STEMI, and the prediction model constructed based on the above factors could be useful for individual risk assessment and early management guidance.

Predictive value of serum iron on heart failure in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, heart failure often occurs after acute myocardial infarction, and a new biomarker for its early prediction is urgently needed. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum iron and heart failure after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: A total of 41 patients with heart failure after STEMI and 31 controls were included in the study. The demographic variables and baseline clinical characteristics of both groups were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between patients with heart failure and controls in terms of demographic characteristics. There were significant differences in terms of serum iron, N terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, left atrial diameter, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Binary logistic regression analyses demonstrated that serum iron (odds ratio [OR]: 0.804, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.699-0.924) and Tn-I (OR: 1.072, 95% CI: 1.011-1.137) were independent predictors for heart failure (p < .05, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve for serum iron was 0.808 (95% CI: 0.707-0.908, p < .01). The best cutoff value of serum iron was 11.87 µmol/L (sensitivity: 87.1%; specificity: 68.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with heart failure after STEMI have lower serum iron levels than patients without heart failure after STEMI. Serum iron levels are a risk factor for heart failure after STEMI.

ST-segment elevation predicts the occurrence of malignant ventricular arrhythmia events in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: ST-segment elevation (STE) represents a repolarization dispersion marker underlying arrhythmogenesis in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); however, its value for predicting malignant ventricular arrhythmia events (MVAEs) remains uncertain. METHODS: In total, 285 patients with STEMI and those with or without MVAEs who presented within 6 h of symptom onset were enrolled. The relationships between STE and clinical characteristics of MVAEs (defined as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation) were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, binary multivariate logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: Patients with STEMI and MVAEs had a shorter time from symptom onset to balloon time (p = 0.0285) and greater STE (p < 0.01) than those without MVAEs. The symptom-to-balloon time, age, and STE were associated with MVAEs after stepwise regression analysis in all cases. Only STE was significantly associated with the occurrence of MVAEs (all, p < 0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) of STE for predicting MVAEs was 0.905, and the cut-off value was 4.5 mV. When only infarct-related arteries were included in the analysis, the AUC of the left anterior descending artery was 0.925 with a cut-off value of 4.5 mV, that of the right coronary artery was 0.915 with a cut-off value of 4.5 mV, and that of the left circumflex artery was 0.929 with a cut-off value of 4.0 mV. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with STEMI presenting within 6 h of symptom onset, age, symptom-to-balloon time, and STE were the main predictors for MVAEs. However, among these, STE was the strongest predictor for MVAEs and was an index for repolarization dispersion of cardiomyocytes in infarcted and non-infarcted areas.

Coronary artery bypass grafting after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were to describe the trends and outcomes of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting after ST-elevation myocardial infarction using a nationwide database. METHODS: We queried the 2002-2016 National Inpatient Sample database for hospitalized patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. We report temporal trends, predictors, and outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in the early (2002-2010) and recent (2011-2016) cohorts. RESULTS: Of 3,347,470 patients hospitalized for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, 7.7% underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. The incidence of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting after ST-elevation myocardial infarction decreased over time (9.2% in 2002 vs 5.5% in 2016, Ptrend < .001), whereas perioperative crude in-hospital mortality did not change (5.1% in 2002 vs 4.2% in 2016, Ptrend = .66), coinciding with an increase in the burden of comorbidities. There was an increase in performing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting on hospitalization day 3 or more, as well as an increase in the use of mechanical support devices and precoronary artery bypass grafting percutaneous coronary intervention. In the early cohort, isolated coronary artery bypass grafting on days 1 and 2 was associated with higher in-hospital mortality. In the recent cohort, coronary artery bypass grafting on day 2 had similar in-hospital mortality compared with day 3 or more and lower rates of acute kidney injury, ischemic stroke, ventricular arrhythmia, and length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide analysis, there has been a decline in the use of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting after ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting on day 1 was performed in sicker patients and was associated with higher in-hospital mortality than coronary artery bypass grafting performed on day 3 or more. In the recent cohort, isolated coronary artery bypass grafting on day 2 had similar in-hospital mortality compared with day 3 or more.

Can longitudinal strain analysis differentiate between Takotsubo syndrome and acute coronary syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is characterized by transient abnormalities of myocardial contractility. Noninvasive tests are currently being sought to differentiate TTS from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the prevalence of TTS and echocardiographic parameters to distinguish apical TTS from acute anterior wall infarction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of patients with suspected TTS, hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology (TTS group n = 18) were analyzed. The control group included patients with STEMI of the left ventricle anterior wall and anterior and lateral wall (STEMI group n = 17). Standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was supplemented with segmental longitudinal strain (LS) assessment with the use of acoustic marker tracking. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in the second cardiac troponine I (CTNI) measurement (TTS: 3241.2 ng/L vs. STEMI: 12032.6 ng/L; p < 0.05). A significant difference in left and right ventricular size was observed on TTE. Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were considerably smaller in TTS group; (86.1 vs. 104 ml and 48.1 vs. 74.1 ml, respectively). LS were significantly higher (in absolute values) in patients with TTS than in those with STEMI in the apical and middle lateral segments, LS in the apical four-chamber view (apSept -14.9 vs. -8.9; apLat -14.8 vs. -6.84; midLat -13.26 vs. -9.11). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TTS are characterized by a different LS pattern in the apical segments of the left ventricle compared to patients with STEMI. TTE examination with LS remains insufficient to distinguish TTS from ACS at the early stage of diagnosis.

Influence of Intermittent Fasting During Ramadan on Circadian Variation of Symptom-Onset and Prehospital Time Delay in Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Ramadan interferes with circadian rhythms mainly by disturbing the routine patterns of feeding and smoking. The objective of this study was to investigate the circadian pattern of ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the month of Ramadan. We studied consecutive STEMI patients 1 month before and after Ramadan (non-Ramadan group-NRG) and during Ramadan (Ramadan group-RG). The RG group was also divided into two groups, based on whether they chose to fast: fasting (FG) and non-fasting group (NFG). The time of STEMI onset was compared. A total of 742 consecutive STEMI patients were classified into 4 groups by 6 h intervals according to time-of-day at symptom onset. No consistent circadian variation in the onset of STEMI was observed both between the RG (P = .938) and NRG (P = .766) or between the FG (P = .232) and NFG (P = .523). When analyzed for subgroups of the study sample, neither smoking nor diabetes showed circadian rhythm. There was a trend towards a delay from symptom onset to hospital presentation, particularly at evening hours in the RG compared with the control group. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in STEMI onset time, but the time from symptom onset to hospital admission was significantly delayed during Ramadan.

Management and outcomes of patients admitted with type 2 myocardial infarction with and without standard modifiable risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Whilst it is known patients without standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRF; hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking) have worse outcomes in Type 1 acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the relationship between type 2 AMI (T2AMI) and outcomes in patients with and without SMuRF is unknown. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalised with T2AMI based on the presence of SMuRF. METHODS: Using the National Inpatient Sample, all hospitalizations with a primary discharge diagnosis of T2AMI were stratified according to SMuRF status (SMuRF and SMURF-less). Primary outcome was all-cause mortality while secondary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), major bleeding and ischemic stroke. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: Among 17,595 included hospitalizations, 1345 (7.6%) were SMuRF-less and 16,250 (92.4%) were SMuRF. On adjusted analysis, SMuRF-less patients had increased odds of all-cause mortality (aOR 2.43, 95% CI 1.83 to 3.23), MACCE (aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.79 to 2.90) and ischaemic stroke (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.56 to 4.24) compared to their SMuRF counterparts. Secondary diagnoses among both cohorts were similar, with respiratory disorders most prevalent followed by cardiovascular and renal disorders. CONCLUSIONS: T2AMI in the absence of SMuRF was associated with worse in-hospital outcomes compared to SMuRF-less patients. There was no SMuRF-based difference in the secondary diagnoses with the most common being respiratory, cardiovascular, and renal disorders. Further studies are warranted to improve overall care and outcomes of SMuRF-less patients.

Post-infarction ventricular septal defect: percutaneous or surgical management in the UK national registry.

AIMS: Post-infarction ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is a mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with a poor prognosis. Surgical repair is the mainstay of treatment, although percutaneous closure is increasingly undertaken. METHODS AND RESUTS: Patients treated with surgical or percutaneous repair of PIVSD (2010-2021) were identified at 16 UK centres. Case note review was undertaken. The primary outcome was long-term mortality. Patient groups were allocated based upon initial management (percutaneous or surgical). Three-hundred sixty-two patients received 416 procedures (131 percutaneous, 231 surgery). 16.1% of percutaneous patients subsequently had surgery. 7.8% of surgical patients subsequently had percutaneous treatment. Times from AMI to treatment were similar [percutaneous 9 (6-14) vs. surgical 9 (4-22) days, P = 0.18]. Surgical patients were more likely to have cardiogenic shock (62.8% vs. 51.9%, P = 0.044). Percutaneous patients were substantially older [72 (64-77) vs. 67 (61-73) years, P < 0.001] and more likely to be discussed in a heart team setting. There was no difference in long-term mortality between patients (61.1% vs. 53.7%, P = 0.17). In-hospital mortality was lower in the surgical group (55.0% vs. 44.2%, P = 0.048) with no difference in mortality after hospital discharge (P = 0.65). Cardiogenic shock [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.97 (95% confidence interval 1.37-2.84), P < 0.001), percutaneous approach [aHR 1.44 (1.01-2.05), P = 0.042], and number of vessels with coronary artery disease [aHR 1.22 (1.01-1.47), P = 0.043] were independently associated with long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: Surgical and percutaneous repair are viable options for management of PIVSD. There was no difference in post-discharge long-term mortality between patients, although in-hospital mortality was lower for surgery.

[Diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of type 2 myocardial infarction]. / Infarto miocardico di tipo 2: aspetti diagnostici, terapeutici e prognostici.

Type 2 myocardial infarction is the ischemic necrosis of cardiomyocytes due to oxygen supply/demand imbalance. The most common causes are surgery, sepsis, arrhythmias, hypo/hypertension. Patients with type 2 myocardial infarction, a disease that accounts for about 25% of total myocardial infarctions, have more comorbidities and are older than patients with type 1 myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography is not mandatory, but it may be useful for the differential diagnosis with acute coronary syndrome. The prognosis in these patients is severe and burdened by high non-cardiovascular and cardiovascular mortality. Treatment is poorly codified and involves the management of trigger events and/or treatment of the underlying coronary artery disease, which is often present; revascularization has an uncertain benefit. Ongoing studies will provide insight on this complex disease.

The Impact of Smoking Status 1 Year After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction on Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients Aged ≤60 Years.

Smoking is associated with increased risk for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at a young age. Although smoking is a modifiable risk factor, smoking cessation rates after STEMI are suboptimal. We investigated the association between smoking status 1 year after STEMI and adverse events in patients (n = 765) aged ≤60 years. Patients were categorized as: (1) nonsmokers, (2) quit smoking, and (3) continued/resumed smoking. The association between smoking status and risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) was analyzed during a median follow-up of 8 years. At presentation with STEMI, the mean age was 51 ± 7 years (88% men) and 427 (56%) were smokers. A year after STEMI, 272 continued smoking, 35 quit but later resumed smoking (summed to a single group; n = 307), and 120 quit smoking. Continued smoking was associated with younger age, male gender, lower weight, and low socioeconomic status. Compared with nonsmokers, the adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, death, and MACE was 2.51 (1.67 to 3.73), 2.07 (0.94 to 4.56), 3.73 (1.84 to 7.58), 2.52 (1.53 to 4.13), and 2.40 (1.80 to 3.22), accordingly, in those who continued to smoke. However, the adjusted hazard ratio was not significantly associated with these outcomes in patients who quit smoking (MACE: 1.20 [0.77 to 1.87], p=0.414; nonsignificant for individual end points). In conclusion, the prevalence of smoking in young and middle-aged patients presenting with STEMI is high and smoking cessation rates are low. A year after STEMI, those who continued to smoke had worse cardiovascular outcomes and death compared with nonsmokers; however, the long-term outcomes among those who quit smoking appear to be comparable with nonsmokers. The results highlight the contrast between health benefits of quitting smoking after STEMI and low abstinence rates in clinical practice.

Cardiac arrest resulting from an unidentified foreign object, later identified as a balloon cover, within the left anterior descending coronary artery.

A 31-year-old man with a history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and alcohol septal ablation one week before was presented after an out of hospital cardiac arrest in the setting of an anterior wall ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Immediate coronary angiography showed an unidentified foreign object within the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), later identified as the cover of a balloon that had been unintentionally inserted and abandoned within the LAD during the alcohol septum ablation one week earlier. Intracoronary imaging confirmed the presence of endothelial damage and thrombus formation within the LAD explaining acute myocardial infarction. The patient was treated by surgical retrieval of the balloon cover, extended septal myectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) of the LAD. This case is both an example of unintentional neglect of unexpected objects, and the importance of multimodality imaging and multidisciplinary teamwork to get to a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Protective effect of the Impella on the left ventricular function after acute broad anterior wall ST elevation myocardial infarctions with cardiogenic shock: cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging strain analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical efficacy of the Impella for high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and cardiogenic shock remains under debate. We thus sought to investigate the protective effects on the heart with the Impella's early use pre-PCI using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the difference in the subacute phase CMR imaging results (19 ± 9 days after admission) between patients undergoing an Impella (n = 7) or not (non-Impella group: n = 18 [12 intra-aortic balloon pumps (1 plus veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) and 6 no mechanical circulation systems]) in broad anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cases. A mechanical circulation system was implanted pre-PCI. RESULTS: No differences were found in the door-to-balloon time, peak creatine kinase, and hospital admission days between the Impella and non-Impella groups; however, the CMRI-derived left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly greater (45 ± 13% vs. 34 ± 7.6%, P = 0.034) and end-diastolic and systolic volumes smaller in the Impella group (149 ± 29 vs. 187 ± 41 mL, P = 0.006: 80 ± 29 vs. 121 ± 40 mL, P = 0.012). Although the global longitudinal peak strain did not differ, the global radial (GRS) and circumferential peak strain (GCS) were significantly higher in the IMPELLA than non-IMPELLA group. Greater systolic and diastolic strain rates (SRs) in the Impella than non-Impella group were observed in non-infarcted rather than infarcted areas. CONCLUSIONS: Early implantation of an Impella before PCIs for STEMIs sub-acutely prevented cardiac dysfunction through preserving the GRS, GCS, and systolic and diastolic SRs in the remote myocardium. This study provided mechanistic insight into understanding the usefulness of the Impella to prevent future heart failure.