The prognostic value of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in acute myocardial infarction: A propensity score-matched analysis.

AIM: Patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are at increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease. However, the clinical characteristics and prognostic importance of MASLD in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have yet to be examined. METHODS: This study compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients with and without MASLD presenting with AMI at a tertiary centre in Singapore. MASLD was defined as hepatic steatosis, with at least one of five metabolic criteria. Hepatic steatosis was determined using the Hepatic Steatosis Index. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for age and sex. The Kaplan-Meier curve was constructed for long-term all-cause mortality. Cox regression analysis was used to investigate independent predictors of long-term all-cause mortality. RESULTS: In this study of 4446 patients with AMI, 2223 patients with MASLD were matched with patients without MASLD using propensity scores. The mean follow-up duration was 3.4 ± 2.4 years. The MASLD group had higher rates of obesity, diabetes and chronic kidney disease than their counterparts. Patients with MASLD had early excess all-cause mortality (6.8% vs. 3.6%, p < .001) at 30 days, with unfavourable mortality rates sustained in the long-term (18.3% vs. 14.5%, p = .001) compared with those without MASLD. After adjustment, MASLD remained independently associated with higher long-term all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.330, 95% confidence interval 1.106-1.598, p = .002). CONCLUSION: MASLD embodies a higher burden of metabolic dysfunction and is an independent predictor of long-term mortality in the AMI population. Its early identification may be beneficial for risk stratification and provide therapeutic targets for secondary preventive strategies in AMI.

Long-term outcomes in acute coronary syndrome patients without standard modifiable risk factors: a multi-ethnic retrospective cohort study Of 5400 asian patients.

A sizeable number of patients without standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRFs), such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and smoking, suffer from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). These SMuRF-less patients have high short-term morbidity and mortality. We compared both short- and long-term outcomes of SMuRF-less and SMuRF ACS patients in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort.This was a retrospective study of patients with first ACS from 2011 to 2017. The primary outcome was long-term all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were 30-day all-cause mortality, cardiac-mortality, unplanned cardiac readmission, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, and stroke. Subgroup analysis was carried out by sex and ACS type.Of 5400 patients, 8.6% were SMuRF-less. The median follow-up time was 6.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 4.2-8.2 years). SMuRF-less patients were younger and tended to present with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). They were more likely to require inotropic support, intubation, and have cardiac arrest. At 30 days, SMuRF-less patients had higher rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac-related mortality and cardiogenic shock, but lower rates of heart failure. At 6 years, all-cause mortality was similar in both groups (18.0% versus 17.1% respectively, p = 0.631). Kaplan-Meier curves showed increased early mortality in the SMuRF-less group, but the divergence in survival curves was no longer present in the long-term. The absence of SMuRF was an independent predictor of mortality, regardless of sex or ACS type.In a multi-ethnic cohort of patients with ACS, SMuRF-less patients were observed to have higher mortality than SMuRF patients during the early stages which was attenuated over time.

One-year outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has led to adverse short-term outcomes for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). It is unknown if this translates to poorer long-term outcomes. In Singapore, the escalation of the outbreak response on February 7, 2020 demanded adaptation of STEMI care to stringent infection control measures. A total of 321 patients presenting with STEMI and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention at a tertiary hospital were enrolled and followed up over 1-year. They were allocated into three groups based on admission date-(1) Before outbreak response (BOR): December 1, 2019-February 6, 2020, (2) During outbreak response (DOR): February 7-March 31, 2020, and (3) control group: November 1-December 31, 2018. The incidence of cardiac-related mortality, cardiac-related readmissions, and recurrent coronary events were examined. Although in-hospital outcomes were worse in BOR and DOR groups compared to the control group, there were no differences in the 1-year cardiac-related mortality (BOR 8.7%, DOR 7.1%, control 4.8%, p = 0.563), cardiac-related readmissions (BOR 15.1%, DOR 11.6%, control 12.0%, p = 0.693), and recurrent coronary events (BOR 3.2%, DOR 1.8%, control 1.2%, p = 0.596). There were higher rates of additional PCI during the index admission in DOR, compared to BOR and control groups (p = 0.027). While patients admitted for STEMI during the pandemic may have poorer in-hospital outcomes, their long-term outcomes remain comparable to the pre-pandemic era.

An Asian Perspective on Gender Differences in In-Hospital and Long-Term Outcome of Cardiac Mortality and Ischemic Stroke after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

OBJECTIVES: Gender differences historically exist in cardiovascular disease, with women experiencing higher rates of major adverse cardiovascular events. We investigated these trends in a contemporary Asian cohort, examining the impact of gender differences on cardiac mortality and ischemic stroke after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed 3971 consecutive patients who underwent primary PCI for STEMI retrospectively. The primary outcome was cardiac mortality and ischemic stroke in-hospital, at one year and on longer-term follow up (median follow up 3.62 years, interquartile range 1.03-6.03 years). RESULTS: There were 580 (14.6%) female patients and 3391 (85.4%) male patients. Female patients were older and had higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, previous strokes, and chronic kidney disease. Cardiac mortality was higher in female patients during in-hospital (15.5% vs. 6.2%), 1-year (17.4% vs. 7.0%) and longer term follow up (19.9% vs. 8.1%, log-rank test: p < 0.001). Similarly, females had higher incidence of ischemic stroke at in-hospital (2.6% vs. 1.0%), 1-year (3.6% vs. 1.4%) and in the longer-term (6.7% vs. 3.1%) as well (log-rank test: p < 0.001). Female gender remained an independent predictor of in-hospital cardiac mortality (HR 1.395, 95%CI 1.061-1.833, p=0.017) and on longer-term follow-up (HR 1.932 95%CI 1.212-3.080, p=0.006) even after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Females were at higher risk of in-hospital and long-term cardiac mortality and ischemic stroke after PPCI for STEMI. Future studies are warranted to investigate the role of aggressive management of cardiovascular risk factors and follow-up to improve outcomes in the females with STEMI.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Door-to-Balloon Time for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention　- Results From the Singapore Western STEMI Network.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the outbreak response measures on door-to-balloon time (D2B). This study examined both D2B and clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).Methods and Results:This was a retrospective study of 303 STEMI patients who presented directly or were transferred to a tertiary hospital in Singapore for PPCI from October 2019 to March 2020. We compared the clinical outcomes of patients admitted before (BOR) and during (DOR) the COVID-19 outbreak response. The study outcomes were in-hospital death, D2B, cardiogenic shock and 30-day readmission. For direct presentations, fewer patients in the DOR group achieved D2B time <90 min compared with the BOR group (71.4% vs. 80.9%, P=0.042). This was more apparent after exclusion of non-system delay cases (DOR 81.6% vs. BOR 95.9%, P=0.006). Prevalence of both out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (9.5% vs. 1.9%, P=0.003) and acute mitral regurgitation (31.6% vs. 17.5%, P=0.006) was higher in the DOR group. Mortality was similar between groups. Multivariable regression showed that longer D2B time was an independent predictor of death (odds ratio 1.005, 95% confidence interval 1.000-1.011, P=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak response have had an adverse effect on PPCI service efficiency. The study reinforces the need to focus efforts on shortening D2B time, while maintaining infection control measures.

Incidence and predictors of target lesion failure in a multiethnic Asian population receiving the SYNERGY coronary stent: A prospective all-comers registry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the target lesion failure (TLF) rate of the SYNERGY stent in all-comers, multiethnic Asian population. BACKGROUND: Currently, most drug eluting stents deliver anti-proliferative drugs from a durable polymer which is associated with a risk of late stent thrombosis. The novel everolimus-eluting, platinum chromium SYNERGY stent is coated with a bioabsorbable abluminal polymer that resolves within 4 months. METHODS: This was a prospective, single center registry of consecutive patients treated with the SYNERGY stent between December 2012 and April 2015. The primary outcome was the incidence of TLF, defined as the combination of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 807 patients received the SYNERGY stent during the study period. One-year clinical outcome data was available for 765 patients (94.8%) and were considered for statistical analysis. The mean age was 60.7 ± 10.8 years, and 83.4% were males. Patients with acute myocardial infarction consisted of 50.3% (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 23.0%, Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 27.3%) of the study population. The treated lesions were complex (ACC/AHA type B2/C: 72.7%). The primary end point of TLF at 1 year was 5.8%. Rates of cardiac mortality, target vessel myocardial infarction, and TLR were 4.2, 1.0, and 1.3%, respectively, at 1 year. Predictors of the incidence and time to early TLF were female gender, Malay ethnicity, diabetes mellitus, acute myocardial infarction at presentation, a prior history of coronary artery bypass surgery and the presence of lesion calcification. The incidence of definite stent thrombosis was 0.4% at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: In this registry, the use of the SYNERGY stent was associated with low rates of TLF at 1 year.

Spontaneous Coronary Dissection Masquerading as Benign Fascicular Ventricular Tachycardia.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndrome. Diagnosis of coronary artery dissection is made on coronary angiogram and prompt revascularisation is the key in management. We present a case of coronary artery dissection with an atypical presentation of cardiac arrhythmia mimicking benign fascicular ventricular tachycardia. A high index of suspicion and early coronary angiogram allowed us to diagnose and treat this potentially life-threatening disease.

Safety of combination therapy with milrinone and esmolol for heart protection during percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

PURPOSE: Ischemia/reperfusion injury remains an untreated clinical problem in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) despite significant advances in emergent revascularization through percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Pharmacological intervention for infarct size reduction is unavailable. We have identified that the medications milrinone and esmolol, when administered together at the beginning of the reperfusion, significantly decrease infarct size via reducing reperfusion injury in an experimental model. The present study tested the safety of combination therapy of milrinone and esmolol (M + E) in patients with AMI. METHODS: Sixteen subjects with AMI requiring PCI were consecutively recruited. M + E was intravenously infused simultaneously for 10 min started at 5 min before anticipated angioplasty balloon inflation. Another 16 consecutively recruited AMI patients requiring PCI served as a placebo arm treated per routine clinical protocol. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored continuously during PCI. RESULTS: M + E combination therapy resulted in a trend of non-significant reduction in BP compared with a control group. There was a modest but significant increase in HR at the later phase of M + E infusion compared with a control group. No significant cardiac arrhythmia was induced during M + E infusion. CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy with M + E produces a minimal change in hemodynamics and appears safe as an adjunctive therapy to PCI in AMI patients. Further studies are warranted.

Clinical predictors and outcomes of ST-elevation myocardial infarction related cardiogenic shock in the Asian population.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating myocardial infarction is associated with poor outcomes. Data among Asian populations are scarce. We aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes, prognostic factors, and predictors of CS among Asian ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for STEMI within our regional STEMI network between 2015 and 2019. The long-term outcomes of those with and without CS were compared. Clinical predictors of outcomes and development of CS were investigated. Results: A total of 1791 patients who underwent PPCI were included. Patients completed at least 2 years' follow-up with a median follow-up period of 2.6 years (IQR 1.0, 3,9). Overall, 208/1791 (11.6 %) STEMI patients developed CS. These patients were older (61.1 ± 12.5 vs 57.8 ± 12.2, P < 0.001) and mostly men (87.0 %). All-cause mortality (59.9 % vs 4.7 % P < 0.001), cardiac mortality (43.8 % vs 2.2 %, P < 0.001) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was significantly higher in the CS group (59.1 % vs 14.0 %, P < 0.001). Independent predictors of survival were higher index LVEF (adjusted hazards ratio [aHR] 0.967, 95 %CI 0.951-0.984, p < 0.001) and higher arterial pH at onset of shock (aHR 0.750, 0.626-0.897, p = 0.002). Increased serum lactate concentration independently predicts poor prognosis (aHR 1.084, 95 % CI 1.046-1.124, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In Asian STEMI patients who underwent PPCI, CS was associated with poor outcomes. Higher LVEF on index admission was associated with better outcomes; while lactic acidosis independently predicted mortality.

The burden of cardiovascular disease in Asia from 2025 to 2050: a forecast analysis for East Asia, South Asia, South-East Asia, Central Asia, and high-income Asia Pacific regions.

Background: Given the rapidly growing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Asia, this study forecasts the CVD burden and associated risk factors in Asia from 2025 to 2050. Methods: Data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study was used to construct regression models predicting prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to CVD and risk factors in Asia in the coming decades. Findings: Between 2025 and 2050, crude cardiovascular mortality is expected to rise 91.2% despite a 23.0% decrease in the age-standardised cardiovascular mortality rate (ASMR). Ischaemic heart disease (115 deaths per 100,000 population) and stroke (63 deaths per 100,000 population) will remain leading drivers of ASMR in 2050. Central Asia will have the highest ASMR (676 deaths per 100,000 population), more than three-fold that of Asia overall (186 deaths per 100,000 population), while high-income Asia sub-regions will incur an ASMR of 22 deaths per 100,000 in 2050. High systolic blood pressure will contribute the highest ASMR throughout Asia (105 deaths per 100,000 population), except in Central Asia where high fasting plasma glucose will dominate (546 deaths per 100,000 population). Interpretation: This forecast forewarns an almost doubling in crude cardiovascular mortality by 2050 in Asia, with marked heterogeneity across sub-regions. Atherosclerotic diseases will continue to dominate, while high systolic blood pressure will be the leading risk factor. Funding: This was supported by the NUHS Seed Fund (NUHSRO/2022/058/RO5+6/Seed-Mar/03), National Medical Research Council Research Training Fellowship (MH 095:003/008-303), National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine's Junior Academic Fellowship Scheme, NUHS Clinician Scientist Program (NCSP2.0/2024/NUHS/NCWS) and the CArdiovascular DiseasE National Collaborative Enterprise (CADENCE) National Clinical Translational Program (MOH-001277-01).

A case report: anteroseptal ST elevation due to acute isolated right ventricular infarction.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first diagnostic tool physicians use in diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (MI). In this case report, we present a case where the initial ECG diagnosis was that of an acute anteroseptal MI but emergency coronary angiography showed that the infarct-related artery was a small non-dominant right coronary artery (RCA) instead of the anticipated left anterior descending artery (LAD). Isolated right ventricular (RV) infarction from a non-dominant RCA is rarely seen in clinical practice, and it may exhibit ECG changes that can be confused with an acute anteroseptal MI. It is important to appreciate the subtle differences in the ECG changes that occur in either of these two types of MI for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old non-smoking male with prior coronary stent implantation in LAD presented with acute chest pain and his pre-hospital ECG indicated an anteroseptal STEMI possibly due to stent thrombosis, but an emergency angiogram showed patent LAD and Circumflex arteries. There was however thrombotic occlusion of the right, non-dominant coronary artery, which was revascularized with a drug-eluting stent. The patient's chest pain and ST elevations resolved, and subsequent echo showed moderate RV systolic dysfunction in keeping with RV myocardial infarction. DISCUSSION: RV myocardial infarction is usually due to an occlusion of the dominant RCA proximal to the origin of its RV wall branch, which often results in inferior ST elevation with reciprocal anterior ST depression. The ST elevation over V1 which would accompany RV infarction is often masked due to the more dominant electrical forces of inferior and posterior LV wall infarction. Our case demonstrates that in isolated RV infarction due to non-dominant proximal RCA occlusion, anterior ST elevation can be seen over V1-3, being most prominent in V1, which overlies the right ventricle, and resolved after restoring flow to the RCA. Spatial vector analysis of the ECG or right-sided ECG leads would be helpful to aid the diagnosis of RV infarction when clinical suspicion is present, for example when there is significant hypotension, raised jugular venous pressure but clear lung fields or deterioration after nitrate administration.

Trends and predictions of metabolic risk factors for acute myocardial infarction: findings from a multiethnic nationwide cohort.

Background: Understanding the trajectories of metabolic risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is necessary for healthcare policymaking. We estimated future projections of the incidence of metabolic diseases in a multi-ethnic population with AMI. Methods: The incidence and mortality contributed by metabolic risk factors in the population with AMI (diabetes mellitus [T2DM], hypertension, hyperlipidemia, overweight/obesity, active/previous smokers) were projected up to year 2050, using linear and Poisson regression models based on the Singapore Myocardial Infarction Registry from 2007 to 2018. Forecast analysis was stratified based on age, sex and ethnicity. Findings: From 2025 to 2050, the incidence of AMI is predicted to rise by 194.4% from 482 to 1418 per 100,000 population. The largest percentage increase in metabolic risk factors within the population with AMI is projected to be overweight/obesity (880.0% increase), followed by hypertension (248.7% increase), T2DM (215.7% increase), hyperlipidemia (205.0% increase), and active/previous smoking (164.8% increase). The number of AMI-related deaths is expected to increase by 294.7% in individuals with overweight/obesity, while mortality is predicted to decrease by 11.7% in hyperlipidemia, 29.9% in hypertension, 32.7% in T2DM and 49.6% in active/previous smokers, from 2025 to 2050. Compared with Chinese individuals, Indian and Malay individuals bear a disproportionate burden of overweight/obesity incidence and AMI-related mortality. Interpretation: The incidence of AMI is projected to continue rising in the coming decades. Overweight/obesity will emerge as fastest-growing metabolic risk factor and the leading risk factor for AMI-related mortality. Funding: This research was supported by the NUHS Seed Fund (NUHSRO/2022/058/RO5+6/Seed-Mar/03) and National Medical Research Council Research Training Fellowship (MOH-001131). The SMIR is a national, ministry-funded registry run by the National Registry of Diseases Office and funded by the Ministry of Health, Singapore.

Angiographic and platelet reactivity outcomes with prasugrel 60 mg pretreatment and clopidogrel 600 mg pretreatment in primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Pretreatment with 60 mg of prasugrel is more effective than 300 mg of clopidogrel in reducing thrombotic complications with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We compared angiographic outcomes and platelet reactivity between treatment with 60 mg of prasugrel and 600 mg of clopidogrel administered before primary PCI. In this single centre non-randomized study, 65 consecutive Asian patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) received 60 mg of prasugrel before primary PCI. The pre- and post-PCI corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (CTFC) and the 8-h post-treatment platelet vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) index was compared with a matched historical Asian STEMI cohort (n = 65) receiving 600 mg of clopidogrel pretreatment. Comparing the prasugrel and clopidogrel groups, the mean age was 54.1 ± 10.2 versus 55.5 ± 11.8 years, P = 0.238, and the mean body mass index was 24.6 ± 2.0 versus 24.7 ± 2.8 kg m(-2), P = 0.393. The mean pre-PCI CTFC was 82.1 ± 30.2 versus 86.1 ± 27.6, P = 0.045, and the mean post-PCI CTFC was 21.1 ± 13.9 versus 20.1 ± 9.2, P = 0.309. Pre-PCI coronary thrombi were visualised in 6.3 versus 18.1 %, P = 0.038. The median VASP index was 22.2 ± 24.5 versus 70.5 ± 17.5 %, P < 0.001, and high on-treatment platelet reactivity (VASP index > 50 %) was observed in 13.8 versus 84.3 %, P = 0.001. Rescue intracoronary glycoprotein inhibitors were administered to 29.7 versus 51.0 %, P = 0.018, respectively. Treatment with 60 mg of prasugrel before primary PCI was associated with lower platelet reactivity, a modest trend towards better pre-PCI angiographic outcomes, less pre-PCI coronary thrombi and less rescue glycoprotein inhibitor use compared with 600 mg of clopidogrel. The very high frequency of high on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity with 600 mg of clopidogrel in this Asian STEMI cohort deserves further study.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Versus Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease: A One-Stage Meta-Analysis.

Background and Aims: Data are emerging on 10-year mortality comparing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting for multivessel disease (MVD) without left main (LM) involvement. We conducted an updated two-stage meta-analysis using reconstructed individual patient data to compare long-term mortality between CABG and PCI for patients with MVD without significant LM coronary disease. Methods: Medline and Embase databases were searched for articles comparing CABG with PCI for MVD. A two-stage meta-analysis was conducted using reconstructed patient level survival data for all-cause mortality with subgroups by SYNTAX score. The shared-frailty and stratified Cox models were fitted to compare survival endpoints. Results: We screened 1,496 studies and included six randomized controlled trials with 7,181 patients. PCI was associated with greater 10-year all-cause mortality risk (HR: 1.282, CI: 1.118-1.469, p < 0.001) compared with CABG. In patients with low SYNTAX score, 10-year all-cause mortality after PCI was comparable to CABG (HR: 1.102, 0.822-1.479, p = 0.516). However, in patients with moderate to high SYNTAX score, 10-year all-cause mortality was significantly higher after PCI compared with CABG (HR: 1.444, 1.122-1.858, p < 0.001; HR: 1.856, 1.380-2.497, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: This updated reconstructed individual patient-data meta-analysis revealed a sustained lower cumulative all-cause mortality of CABG over PCI for multivessel disease without LM involvement.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Biodegradable-Polymer Drug-Eluting Stents Versus Second-Generation Durable-Polymer Drug-Eluting Stents for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymer drug eluting stents (BP-DES) may offer the advantage of vascular healing in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Long-term outcome data comparing BP-DES and second-generation durable polymer drug eluting stents (DP-DES) in STEMI is lacking. This study aims to compare the long-term clinical outcomes of BP-DES versus second-generation DP-DES in STEMI. METHODS: This is an observational study of consecutive patients with STEMI who received either BP-DES (n = 854) or DP-DES (n = 708) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from 1st February 2007 to 31st December 2016. The primary outcome was target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (MI), and target lesion revascularization with follow up till 30th November 2019. RESULTS: The baseline demographics, lesion and procedural characteristic were similar between the two groups except for more prior MI and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the BP-DES group. At a median follow up of 4.2 years (interquartile range: 2.6-6.2 years), the incidence of TLF was similar between BP-DES and DP-DES (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70-1.26). Likewise, incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE: all-cause death, any MI or target vessel revascularization) and definite stent thrombosis were similar in both groups (MACE: adjusted HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.82-1.32; definite stent thrombosis: adjusted HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.31-3.64). CONCLUSION: Among patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI, BP-DES and DP-DES implantation was associated with similar long-term clinical outcomes.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with coronary artery ectasia presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is not yet fully understood. We aimed to examine differences in clinical and procedural characteristics, clinical management, and outcomes in patients with CAE undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients presenting with STEMI with a culprit native coronary artery from July 2015 to June 2019. Patients were divided into CAE and Non-CAE groups as detected on coronary angiography during PPCI. Comparison between groups was made for baseline clinical and procedural characteristics, as well as complications, pharmacological treatment, and follow-up outcomes. RESULTS: 36/1780 (2.0%) patients were found to have CAE. Patients with CAE had a median age of 57.1 ± 11.7 years and were more likely to be male 33/36 (91.7%). Diabetes was less commonly seen in the CAE group (11.1% vs 31.4%, p = 0.010), and there were no differences in the proportion of patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Patients with CAE had more involvement of right coronary artery (RCA) culprit vessel (63.9% vs. 38.4%, p = 0.026), less coronary stenting (25.0% vs 87.2%, p < 0.001) and post-PPCI TIMI 3 flow (69.4% vs 95.5%, P < 0.001), and were more likely to be discharged with oral anticoagulants (36.1% vs 7.6%, p < 0.001). At 3-year follow-up, all-cause mortality rates were higher in the non-CAE group (0.0% vs 11.5%, p < 0.028), suggesting that CAE was not associated with unfavorable long-term outcome. On multivariate analysis, CAE was not an independent predictor of MACE. CONCLUSION: Despite lower rates of post-PPCI TIMI 3 flow, CAE was not associated with unfavorable long-term outcome.

Meta-Analysis of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Left Main Narrowing.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) have reported conflicting results. We performed a systematic review up to May 23, 2021, and 1-stage reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA) to compare outcomes between both groups. The primary outcome was 10-year all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and unplanned revascularization at 5 years. We performed individual patient data meta-analysis using published Kaplan-Meier curves to provide individual data points in coordinates and numbers at risk were used to increase the calibration accuracy of the reconstructed data. Shared frailty model or, when proportionality assumptions were not met, a restricted mean survival time model were fitted to compare outcomes between treatment groups. Of 583 articles retrieved, 5 RCTs were included. A total of 4,595 patients from these 5 RCTs were randomly assigned to PCI (n = 2,297) or CABG (n = 2,298). The cumulative 10-year all-cause mortality after PCI and CABG was 12.0% versus 10.6%, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 1.093, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.925 to 1.292; p = 0.296). PCI conferred similar time-to-MI (restricted mean survival time ratio 1.006, 95% CI 0.992 to 1.021, p=0.391) and stroke (restricted mean survival time ratio 1.005, 95% CI 0.998 to 1.013, p = 0.133) at 5 years. Unplanned revascularization was more frequent after PCI than CABG (HR 1.807, 95% CI 1.524 to 2.144, p <0.001) at 5 years. This meta-analysis using reconstructed participant-level time-to-event data showed no statistically significant difference in cumulative 10-year all-cause mortality between PCI versus CABG in the treatment of LMCAD.

Recurrent Stent Thrombosis Secondary to Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an insidiously progressive multiorgan disease. However, lack of familiarity with IgG4-RD results in patients often being undiagnosed and undertreated. IgG4-RD can affect any organ, and manifests as aortitis within the cardiovascular system. Cardiac involvement is less common, and myocardial infarction is rarely reported. We report the first case of a patient with multiple myocardial infarctions caused by recurrent stent thrombosis associated with IgG4-RD, which resolved upon treatment of IgG4-RD. This case highlights the importance for cardiologists to consider IgG4-RD as a rare but possible association with stent thrombosis.

Characteristics and outcomes of young patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: retrospective analysis in a multiethnic Asian population.

OBJECTIVE: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with significant mortality leading to loss of productive life years, especially in younger patients. This study aims to compare the characteristics and outcomes of young versus older patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) to help focus public health efforts in STEMI prevention. METHODS: Data from the Coronary Care Unit database of the National University Hospital, Singapore from July 2015 to June 2019 were reviewed. Patients were divided into young (<50 years old) or older (≥50 years old) groups. RESULTS: Of the 1818 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent PPCI, 465 (25.6%) were <50 years old. Young compared with older patients were more likely to be male, current smokers, of Indian ethnicity, have family history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and had lower 1 year mortality (3.4% vs 10.4%, p<0.0001). Although diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidaemia was less common among young patients, the prevalence of having any one of these risk factors was high in the range of 28% to 38%. Age was an independent predictor of mortality in the older but not younger patients with STEMI, and diabetes showed a trend towards mortality in both groups. CONCLUSION: Young patients with STEMI are more often smokers, of Indian ethnicity and had family history of IHD, although cardiometabolic risk factors are also prevalent. Mortality is lower, but not negligible, among the young patients with STEMI. Public health efforts are needed to reduce the prevalence of these risk factors among the constitutionally susceptible population.

Post-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Follow-Up Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Possible Benefit of Telemedicine: An Observational Study.

Background: Infectious control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the propensity toward telemedicine. This study examined the impact of telemedicine during the pandemic on the long-term outcomes of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Methods: This study included 288 patients admitted 1 year before the pandemic (October 2018-December 2018) and during the pandemic (January 2020-March 2020) eras, and survived their index STEMI admission. The follow-up period was 1 year. One-year primary safety endpoint was all-cause mortality. Secondary safety endpoints were cardiac readmissions for unplanned revascularisation, non-fatal myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrythmia, unstable angina. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was defined as the composite outcome of each individual safety endpoint. Results: Despite unfavorable in-hospital outcomes among patients admitted during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic era, both groups had similar 1-year all-cause mortality (11.2 vs. 8.5%, respectively, p = 0.454) but higher cardiac-related (14.1 vs. 5.1%, p < 0.001) and heart failure readmissions in the pandemic vs. pre-pandemic groups (7.1 vs. 1.7%, p = 0.037). Follow-up was more frequently conducted via teleconsultations (1.2 vs. 0.2 per patient/year, p = 0.001), with reduction in physical consultations (2.1 vs. 2.6 per patient/year, p = 0.043), during the pandemic vs. pre-pandemic era. Majority achieved guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) during pandemic vs. pre-pandemic era (75.9 vs. 61.6%, p = 0.010). Multivariable Cox regression demonstrated achieving medication target doses (HR 0.387, 95% CI 0.164-0.915, p = 0.031) and GDMT (HR 0.271, 95% CI 0.134-0.548, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of lower 1-year MACE after adjustment. Conclusion: The pandemic has led to the wider application of teleconsultation, with increased adherence to GDMT, enhanced medication target dosing. Achieving GDMT was associated with favorable long-term prognosis.