Frequency and outcomes of STEMI patients presenting between 12 and 24 h after symptom onset: Late-presenting STEMI.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the characteristics and prognosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, presenting between 12 and 24 h after symptom onset, in contemporary regional STEMI systems of care in the United States. BACKGROUND: Previous observational studies have been inconsistent regarding the benefit of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with conservative management for late-presenting STEMI patients and the majority of randomized trials are from the fibrinolytic era. METHODS: Using a two-center registry-based cohort from March 2003 to December 2020, we evaluated the frequency, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of STEMI patients, stratified by symptom onset to balloon time: <3, 3-6, 6-12, and 12-24 h (late presenters). RESULTS: Among 5427 STEMI patients with available symptom onset time, 6.2% were late presenters, which increased to 11% during the early phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. As symptom onset to balloon time increased, patients were more likely to be older, female, and have a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Late presenters with an identifiable culprit lesion were less likely to be revascularized with PCI (96%, 96%, 95%, and 92%; p for trend = 0.004) and had a longer median door-to-balloon time (82, 109, 107, and 117 min; p for trend < 0.001). In-hospital and 1-year death risks were comparable between late and earlier presenters. CONCLUSION: Despite the unfavorable risk profile and longer door-to-balloon time, clinical outcomes of late presenters were similar to those presenting within 12 h of symptom onset.

Variability in reporting of key outcome predictors in acute myocardial infarction cardiogenic shock trials.

BACKGROUND: Among acute myocardial infarction patients with cardiogenic shock (AMICS), a number of key variables predict mortality, including cardiac arrest (CA) and shock classification as proposed by Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI). Given this prognostic importance, we examined the frequency of reporting of high risk variables in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of AMICS patients. METHODS: We identified 15 RCTs enrolling 2,500 AMICS patients and then reviewed rates of CA, baseline neurologic status, right heart catheterization data, lactate levels, inotrope and vasopressor requirement, hypothermia, mechanical ventilation, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mechanical circulatory support, and specific cause of death based on the primary manuscript and Data in S1. RESULTS: A total of 2,500 AMICS patients have been enrolled in 15 clinical trials over 21 years with only four trials enrolling >80 patients. The reporting frequency and range for key prognostic factors was: neurologic status (0% reported), hypothermia (28% reported, prevalence 33-75%), specific cause of death (33% reported), cardiac index and wedge pressure (47% reported, range 1.6-2.3 L min-1  m-2 and 15-24 mmHg), lactate (60% reported, range 4-7.7 mmol/L), LVEF (73% reported, range 25-45%), CA (80% reported, prevalence 0-92%), MCS (80% reported, prevalence 13-100%), and mechanical ventilation (93% reported, prevalence 35-100%). This variability was reflected in the 30-day mortality which ranged from 20-73%. CONCLUSIONS: In a comprehensive review of seminal RCTs in AMICS, important predictors of outcome were frequently not reported. Future efforts to standardize CS trial data collection and reporting may allow for better assessment of novel therapies for AMICS.

Revascularization and long-term outcomes in high-acuity spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is often treated conservatively due to revascularization risks. Yet, an important number of SCAD patients have high acuity characteristics necessitating revascularization, with uncertain long-term outcomes. OBJECTIVES: Document revascularization utilization and long-term outcomes in high acuity SCAD. METHODS: Prospective/retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to first SCAD event presenting directly to the Minneapolis Heart Institute 2002-2021, median follow-up 3.8 years. RESULTS: Among 139 patients (age 49 ± 12 years, 96% female), revascularization was performed in 60 (43%), utilizing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 56, successful in 80%) or coronary artery bypass graft (n = 4). In the entire cohort, 90 (65%) unique patients had one or more high acuity characteristic: ST-elevation (38%), proximal dissection (38%), cardiogenic shock (6.5%), cardiac arrest (9.4%), left main dissection (6.5%), peripartum dissection (7.2%). High acuity patients accounted for 51 of 60 (85%) revascularizations. Revascularization rates were: ST-elevation (60%), proximal dissection (62%), cardiogenic shock (89%), cardiac arrest (62%), left main dissection (100%), peripartum dissection (70%). Survival was 97% (revascularized) vs 100% (nonrevascularized); p = 0.2. Adverse outcomes (revascularized vs. nonrevascularized) included recurrent AMI:16.7% versus 8.9%; p = 0.2, SCAD recurrence: 13.3% versus 6.3%; p = 0.1, stroke: 5% versus 2.5%; p = 0.44, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: 6.7% versus 6.3%; p > 0.9. Reintervention was necessary in 21% of PCI-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: High-acuity characteristics were present in nearly two-thirds of this SCAD cohort; the vast majority of revascularizations were performed in high-acuity patients. Despite high acuity, long-term survival was favorable in revascularized patients.

STEMI: Considerations for Left Main Culprit Lesions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is a paucity of data regarding the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to left main (LM) culprit vessel. RECENT FINDINGS: LM culprit STEMI (LMCSTEMI) is an uncommon, but frequently catastrophic event. Prior meta-analyses and registries have described a varying prevalence of LMCSTEMI, associated cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality among those surviving to hospital presentation. These observed clinical discrepancies may be partially attributable to diverse clinical and angiographical subsets among this STEMI population. STEMI due to LM culprit artery disease represents a clinically high-risk subset of patients with substantial in-hospital mortality. In this paper, we summarize the available clinical data pertaining to STEMI with LM culprit, discuss unique ECG characteristics, and discuss contemporary revascularization therapy. We also report the preliminary findings from a contemporary, STEMI database describing clinical characteristics and angiographically defined subsets of LM culprit STEMI.

The impact of ST-segment elevation on the prognosis of patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) has a variety of electrocardiographic expressions such as ST-segment elevation (STE), T-wave inversion, QTc-prolongation, left bundle branch block, presence of anterior Q waves and rarely ST-segment depression. In contrast to acute myocardial infarction, the impact of STE on the initial electrocardiogram (EKG), on TC outcomes, remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of STE on the index EKG of patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) in terms of prognosis. METHODS: We examined retrospectively the data of 436 patients diagnosed with TC who were admitted to the Minneapolis Heart Institute between August 2001 and November 2019. RESULTS: Of 436 patients, 145 (33%) presented with STE on the index EKG. Typical apical ballooning pattern was encountered more frequently in the STE group (66% vs 51%; p = 0.005), on the contrary to the mid-ventricular ballooning which was more common in the non-STE group (31% vs 45%; p = 0.005) while initial left ventricular ejection fraction was similar between the two groups (31% ± 9 vs 33% ± 11; p = 0.163). The composite endpoint of TC-related complications, defined as left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO), left ventricular (LV) thrombus, hemodynamic instability requiring mechanical or intravenous vasopressor support, cardiac arrest or in-hospital death, was higher for the STE group (37% vs 24%; p = 0.006). Left ventricular outflow obstruction (LVOTO) was more frequent in patients with STE (13% vs 3%; p < 0.001) while there was a trend toward higher rates of LV thrombus formation in the same group (5% vs 1%; p = 0.057). On multivariable analysis, STE remained an independent predictor of TC-related complications. In-hospital mortality (2.8% vs 3.4%; p = 1.000) and five-year mortality were similar between the two groups (23% vs 20%; p = 0.612). CONCLUSION: Patients with TC presenting with STE on the initial EKG, were more likely to develop disease related complications, thus, careful in-hospital monitoring including imaging evaluation for LVOTO and LV thrombus may be warranted for these patients. Nevertheless, both groups had similar in-hospital and five-year mortality.

Temporal changes in patient characteristics and outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction 2003-2018.

BACKGROUND: We sought to describe changes in demographic variables, process of care measures, and outcomes of patients treated in a regional ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) program over the last 15 years. METHODS: We describe demographic variables, process of care measures, and outcomes of patients treated in the program in various 5-year time periods: 2003-2007 (n = 1,821), 2008-2012 (n = 1,968), and 2013-2018 (n = 2,223). The primary outcome measures were in-hospital and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Among 6,012 STEMI patients treated from 2003 to 2018 we observed a significant increase in mean age at presentation (62 ± 14 to 64 ± 13 years) and diabetes (14-22%, p < .01). The proportion of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) and cardiac arrest (CA) pre-PCI increased significantly from 9.5% to 11.1% and 8.5% to 12.7% (p < .05), respectively. The median door-to-balloon (D2B) times decreased from 98 to 93 min and total ischemic time decreased from 202 to 185 min (all p < .05). Despite increased patient complexity, the proportion of nontransfer and transfer patients achieving D2B times consistent with guideline recommendations remained unchanged (for nontransfer patients 79-82%, p = .45 and for transfer patients 65-64%, p = .34). Among all STEMI patients, in-hospital mortality increased during the study period from 4.9 to 6.9% (p = .007) but remained stable (<2%) when CA and CS patients were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Over the last 15 years, short-term STEMI mortality has increased despite improvements in care delivery metrics. Patients with CA and/or CS now represent 10% of STEMI patients and are responsible for 80% of deaths. Therefore, efforts to improve STEMI mortality, and metrics for assessing STEMI programs, should focus on these patients.

Coexistence of acute takotsubo syndrome and acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is an acute cardiac condition with presentation indistinguishable from acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and mechanism independent of epicardial coronary obstruction. Acute coronary artery plaque rupture/occlusion is not expected in TS. Nonetheless, the physiologic stress of ACS might itself trigger TS, leading to coexistence of both conditions, and diagnostic uncertainty. METHODS: From 2011 to 2014, we encountered 137 consecutive patients with typical TS (without acute coronary plaque rupture/occlusion). During this time, among a population of 3,506 consecutive ACS patients, nine (0.3%) presented with features of both ACS and TS, that is, acute onset, troponin elevation, acute plaque rupture/occlusion, and reversible LV ballooning not corresponding to culprit coronary distribution. RESULTS: The nine patients (seven female) with TS-ACS coexistence, average age 70 ± 13 years, presented with chest pain (n = 6), nausea/vomiting (n = 2), or cardiac arrest (n = 1), ST-elevation (n = 5), all with troponin elevation (peak 1.3 ± 1.2 ng/ml). Each had single vessel coronary disease; right coronary (n = 3), circumflex (n = 3), mid-LAD (n = 2), ramus intermedius (n = 1), with percutaneous coronary intervention in seven patients (78%). Initial ejection fraction was 26 ± 7%, with apical ballooning in eight patients and mid-LV ballooning in one patient. Each patient had LV ballooning resolution and ejection fraction normalization to 57 ± 3%, hospital survival was 89%. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with ACS, a subset have evidence of coexisting TS, findings which further expand the clinical profile of both conditions, raising the possibility that ACS itself may trigger TS.

Resource utilization and outcome among patients with selective versus nonselective troponin testing.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), troponin testing is effective for diagnosis and prognosis. Troponin testing has now expanded to include patients without suspected ACS. This nonselective troponin testing has unknown consequences for resource utilization and outcome. Therefore, we examined selective versus nonselective troponin testing with respect to patient characteristics, resource utilization, and outcome. METHODS: This retrospective 1-year study included all patients with troponin testing at a U.S. emergency department. Testing was classified as selective (ACS) or nonselective (non-ACS) based on admission ICD-9 codes. Troponin upper reference limit (URL) was ≥99th percentile. RESULTS: Among 47,053 patients, troponin was measured in 9109 (19%) of whom 5764 were hospitalized. Admission diagnosis was non-ACS in 4427 (77%) and ACS in 1337 (23%). Non-ACS patients were older, 71±17 versus 65±16 years, with longer hospital stay, 77 versus 32 h, and greater 1-year mortality 22% versus 6.7%; P<.001. In patients with troponin ≥URL, revascularization was performed in 64 (4.7%) of non-ACS versus 213 (48%) of ACS; P<.001. In patients with troponin 80% of the non-ACS population CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary troponin testing is frequently nonselective. The non-ACS and ACS populations differ significantly regarding clinical characteristics, revascularization rates, and outcomes. Troponin elevation is a powerful predictor of 1-year mortality in non-ACS, this association reveals an opportunity for risk stratification and targeted therapy. KEY QUESTIONS: In patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), troponin testing is effective for diagnosis and prognosis. However, troponin testing has now expanded to include patients without suspected ACS. This nonselective troponin testing has unknown consequences for hospital resource utilization and patient outcome. Our findings demonstrate contemporary troponin testing is largely nonselective (77% of testing was performed in patients without acute coronary syndrome). In comparison to patients with acute coronary syndrome, those with non-acute coronary syndrome are older, with longer hospital stay, lower revascularization rates, and greater 1-year mortality. Troponin elevation identifies a high-risk population in both acute coronary syndrome and non-acute coronary syndrome populations, yet effective treatment for the latter is lacking.

A Decade of Progress in Regional ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Systems of Care: A Tale of Two Cities.

Over the past 20 years, care for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has rapidly evolved, not just in terms of how patients are treated, but where patients are treated. The advent of regional STEMI systems of care has decreased the number of "eligible but untreated" patients while improving access to primary percutaneous coronary intervention for patients. These regional STEMI systems of care have consistently demonstrated that rapid transport of STEMI patients is safe and effective, and have shown marked improvements in a variety of clinical outcomes. However, no two STEMI systems are alike, and each must be tailored to the unique geographic, political, and socioeconomic challenges of the region. This article takes an in-depth look at two of the earliest STEMI systems within the United States: the Minneapolis Heart Institute and the Los Angeles County STEMI receiving network.

A Clinical Perspective of the Takotsubo Syndrome.

This article provides a contemporary review of the clinical features of the takotsubo syndrome. The author discusses hallmark elements that distinguish this novel acute cardiac condition from the more common acute coronary syndrome. This review includes relevant clinical detail surrounding findings on ECG, biochemical testing, and cardiac imaging and a discussion of complications, including acute decompensated heart failure, arrhythmias, ventricular thrombi, and left ventricular outflow obstruction. The review concludes with discussion of proper treatment, long-term survival, and recurrence.

Epidemiology and clinical profile of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

First described in Japan over 2 decades ago, takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) has emerged as a unique cardiomyopathy with world-wide recognition, mimicking acute coronary syndrome. In early TTC experience, typical patients were older women, with a triggering emotional event, ST-segment elevation, and apical ballooning left ventricular (LV) contraction pattern. However, TTC is now more heterogeneous, occurring in males and younger individuals, without ST-segment elevation, as a spontaneous event in the absence of a trigger, and with diverse LV contraction patterns. Furthermore, TTC is more common than initially thought, now constituting 10% of women with suspected acute coronary syndrome. TTC is also associated with a broader range of psychological or physical triggers, including presentation during outpatient medical evaluations or hospitalization for acute illness. Although TTC has been considered a benign condition, it now carries a small but important risk for adverse outcomes, including cardiac arrest in 5%. Hemodynamic instability requiring intervention with vasopressor drugs or intra-aortic balloon pump is necessary in 15% and in-hospital mortality is approximately 5%, largely because of refractory cardiogenic shock or irreversible major comorbid conditions. Although complete cardiac recovery usually occurs rapidly, post-hospital survival may be less than the general population of similar age, largely because of concomitant illnesses. TTC may reoccur in up to 10% of patients, but ß-blocking drugs are not absolutely preventive for initial or subsequent events.

Failure to treat ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: Normally functioning implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) with intact lead systems occasionally fail to deliver therapy for ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF) or deliver it only after clinically significant delays (failure-to-treat). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate ICD failure-to-treat VT/VF in a large patient cohort. METHODS: We searched the US Food and Drug Administration's online Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database from 2019 to 2023 for manufacturer-verified reports in which normally functioning ICDs failed to treat VT/VF. RESULTS: We identified 854 reports classified as deaths (n = 96 [11.2%]), injuries (n = 585 [68.5%]), or malfunctions (n = 173 [20.3%]) for normally functioning ICDs. The most common causes were misclassification as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) or atrial fibrillation (AF; 54.8%), undersensing (21.1%), and failure to satisfy programmed rate/duration criteria (8.7%). Most events caused by misclassification as SVT/AF (89.5%) and failure to satisfy rate/duration criteria (70.3%) were VT; most caused by undersensing were either VF (54.4%) or not specified as VT or VF (19.4%). Undersensing caused 65.6% of deaths, although it represented only 21.1% of reports. In the United States, the number of reports increased faster than that of ICD patients. CONCLUSION: In the largest reported series of failure-to-treat VT/VF by normally functioning ICDs, the most common cause was misclassification of VT as SVT/AF; the most common cause of death was undersensing of VF. Although relatively few patients with normally functioning ICDs experience failure-to-treat VT/VF, the absolute number of verified MAUDE reports suggests that more work is needed to quantify the magnitude of the problem, to identify root causes, and to develop solutions.

Repolarization Injury and Occurrence of Torsades de Pointes During Acute Takotsubo Syndrome.

Background: During takotsubo syndrome (TS), QTc prolongation is common, reflecting repolarization injury and providing the substrate for torsades de pointes (TdP). TdP has been reported sporadically in TS, yet QTc prolongation and TdP risk are often overlooked during management. Objectives: In TS patients, we sought to document TdP incidence, characteristics of patients with TdP, and association of QTc with postdischarge survival. Methods: Among consecutive TS patients at a single institution, we documented admission and discharge QTc, TdP incidence, and postdischarge 1-year mortality from 2006 to 2019. For perspective regarding TdP-TS risk, we characterized all published TdP cases from 2003 to 2022. Results: Of 259 patients, median age was 68 (range: 59-77) years; 92% were female. The QTc interval was prolonged (≥460 ms) on admission in 129 (49.8%) patients and at discharge in 140 (54%) patients. QTc was ≥500 ms either on admission or at discharge in 98 (37.8%) patients. In-hospital TdP incidence was 0.8%. Postdischarge mortality was associated with admission but not discharge, QTc: <460 ms (1.6%); 460-499 ms (12.6%); ≥500 ms (8.8%); P = 0.0056. Among 38 published TdP-TS cases, 80% of TdP events were within 48 hours of hospitalization, 90% of events occurred with QTc ≥500 ms, and 47.5% of events occurred with QTc ≥600 ms. Conditions associated with TdP risk were present in fewer than one-third of patients. Conclusions: During TS, QTc ≥500 ms was frequent. TdP incidence was low, with unpredictable occurrence and observed almost entirely with QTc ≥500 ms. A normal admission QTc was associated with >98% survival at 1-year postdischarge.

Safety and efficacy of a pharmaco-invasive reperfusion strategy in rural ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with expected delays due to long-distance transfers.

AIMS: To determine the safety and efficacy of a pharmaco-invasive reperfusion strategy utilizing half-dose fibrinolysis combined with transfer for immediate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients presenting to remote rural hospitals. Primary PCI is preferred for STEMI if performed in a timely manner. However, <20% of STEMI patients transferred for PCI in the USA have door-to-balloon times <2 h. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective data from the Level 1 MI programme were analysed. All STEMI patients presenting to the Minneapolis Heart Institute or 31 referral hospitals received aspirin, clopidogrel, and unfractionated heparin (UFH) at the presenting hospital and those presenting to hospitals ≥60 miles away also received half-dose fibrinolytic with transfer for immediate PCI. From April 2003 through December 2009, we enrolled 2634 consecutive STEMI patients in the Level 1 MI database including 660 transferred from remote hospitals utilizing pharmaco-invasive therapy and 600 patients who presented directly to the PCI centre. There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality (5.5 vs. 5.6%; P= 0.94), stroke (1.1 vs. 1.3%; P= 0.66) or major bleeding (1.5 vs. 1.8%; P= 0.65), or re-infarction/ischaemia (1.2 vs. 2.5%; P= 0.088) in patients receiving a pharmaco-invasive strategy compared with patients presenting directly to the PCI centre, despite a significantly longer door-to-balloon time. CONCLUSION: Within a regional STEMI system of care, half-dose fibrinolysis combined with immediate transfer for PCI may be a safe and effective option for STEMI patients with expected delays due to long-distance transfer.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: natural history.

This article provides a comprehensive review of the clinical features of takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy. The author discusses key features that distinguish this cardiomyopathy from acute coronary syndrome. This review includes detail of characteristic findings on electrocardiogram, biochemical testing, and cardiac imaging, as well as complications including congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, ventricular thrombi, and left ventricular outflow obstruction. The review concludes with a discussion of the proper treatment, long-term survival, and proposed pathophysiology.

Post-Shock Asystole in Patients Dying Out of Hospital While Wearing a Cardioverter Defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: The wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) prevents sudden cardiac death due to ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) but does not pace for post-shock asystole (PS-A) or bradycardia (PS-B;<50 beats/ min). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess PS-A and PS-B in patients dying out of hospital (OOH) while wearing a WCD. METHODS: The database of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Manufacturers and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) was queried for manufacturers' reports of OOH deaths while patients were wearing a WCD. Excluded were patients who did not receive a shock or were initially shocked for asystole or during resuscitation. RESULTS: From January 2017 to March 2022, 313 patients received an initial WCD shock for VF (n = 150), VT (n = 90), and non-VF/VT rhythms (n = 73). PS-A occurred in 204 patients (65.2%), and PS-B occurred in 111 (35.5%); 85 (41.7%) PS-A patients also had PS-B. Most PS-A patients (n = 185; 90.7%) had an initial shocked rhythm of VF or VT, but 19 patients (9.3%) were initially inappropriately shocked for atrial fibrillation/supraventricular tachycardia (n = 7) and idioventricular (n = 8) or sinus (n = 4) rhythm. PS-A occurred after the first WCD shock in 118 (63.8%) and after the first, second, or third shocks in 159 patients (85.9%). Seven patients had post-shock heart block. Eight patients had permanent pacemakers; 1 became nonfunctional after 1 shock, and 7 showed noncapture and/or asystole after 1 to 4 shocks. CONCLUSIONS: Post-shock asystole appears to be common in patients who die OOH after being shocked by a WCD for VF or VT. PS-A also occurs after inappropriate WCD shocks for non-VF/VT rhythms. Implanted pacemakers may not prevent PS-A after a WCD shock. WCD backup pacing should be explored.

Causes and clinical consequences of inappropriate shocks experienced by patients wearing a cardioverter-defibrillator.

BACKGROUND: The LifeVest® wearable cardioverter-defibrillator (WCD) prevents sudden cardiac death in at-risk patients who are not candidates for an implantable defibrillator. The safety and efficacy of the WCD may be impacted by inappropriate shocks (IAS). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the causes and clinical consequences of WCD IAS in survivors of IAS events. METHODS: The Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturers and User Facility Device Experience database was searched for IAS adverse events (AE) that were reported during 2021 and 2022. RESULTS: A total of 2568 IAS-AE were found (average number of IAS per event: 1.5 ± 1.9; range 1-48). IAS were caused by tachycardias (1255 [48.9%]), motion artifacts (840 [32.7%]), and oversensing (OS) of low-level electrical signals (473 [18.4%]) (P <.001). Tachycardias included atrial fibrillation (AF) (828 [32.2%]), supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (333 [13.0%]), and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (NSVT/VF) (87 [3.4%]). Activities responsible for motion-induced IAS included riding a motorcycle, lawnmower, or tractor (n = 128). In 19 patients, IAS induced sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation that subsequently were terminated by appropriate WCD shocks. Thirty patients fell and suffered physical injuries. Conscious patients (n = 1905) did not use the response buttons to abort shocks (47.9%) or used them improperly (20.2%). IAS resulted in 1190 emergency room visits or hospitalizations, and 17.3% of patients (421/2440) discontinued the WCD after experiencing IAS, especially multiple IAS. CONCLUSIONS: The LifeVest WCD may deliver IAS caused by AF, SVT, NSVT/VF, motion artifacts, and oversensing of electrical signals. These shocks may be arrhythmogenic, result in injuries, precipitate WCD discontinuation, and consume medical resources. Improved WCD sensing, rhythm discrimination, and methods to abort IAS are needed.

Association of triglyceride levels with adverse cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Although there is an established association between elevated triglyceride (eTG, ≥175 mg/dl) levels and adverse cardiovascular events, some studies have suggested that eTG levels may be linked to neutral or even improved clinical outcomes, particularly among patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, these studies had certain limitations, including small sample sizes, heterogeneous study populations, and inadequate statistical adjustments. To address these limitations, we conducted an analysis of 5347 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) between March 2003 and December 2020, using a prospective registry-based cohort from two large, regional STEMI centers. We used a triglyceride level of 175 mg/dl as the cutoff point for eTG levels. Of the study participants, 24.5% (n = 1312) had eTG levels. These patients were more likely to be younger, male, and have a higher number of cardiovascular risk factors compared to those with low TG levels. Despite these unfavorable cardiovascular risk profiles, patients with eTG levels had lower unadjusted risks of 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) -a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death- than those with low TG levels (8.8% vs. 11%, p = 0.034). However, after adjusting for certain clinical factors and lipid profile, eTG levels were not associated with a lower 1-year MACE (aHR: 1.10 (0.71-1.70), p = 0.7). In conclusion, a quarter of STEMI patients had eTG levels and these patients had comparable long-term cardiovascular outcomes compared to those with low TG levels after controlling for clinical factors and lipid profile.