Association Between Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Subsequent Infective Endocarditis and In-Hospital Death.

IMPORTANCE: Limited data exist on clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who had infective endocarditis after undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). OBJECTIVE: To determine the associated factors, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients who had infective endocarditis after TAVR. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Infectious Endocarditis after TAVR International Registry included patients with definite infective endocarditis after TAVR from 47 centers from Europe, North America, and South America between June 2005 and October 2015. EXPOSURE: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement for incidence of infective endocarditis and infective endocarditis for in-hospital mortality. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Infective endocarditis and in-hospital mortality after infective endocarditis. RESULTS: A total of 250 cases of infective endocarditis occurred in 20 006 patients after TAVR (incidence, 1.1% per person-year; 95% CI, 1.1%-1.4%; median age, 80 years; 64% men). Median time from TAVR to infective endocarditis was 5.3 months (interquartile range [IQR], 1.5-13.4 months). The characteristics associated with higher risk of progressing to infective endocarditis after TAVR was younger age (78.9 years vs 81.8 years; hazard ratio [HR], 0.97 per year; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99), male sex (62.0% vs 49.7%; HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.13-2.52), diabetes mellitus (41.7% vs 30.0%; HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.02-2.29), and moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (22.4% vs 14.7%; HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.28-3.28). Health care-associated infective endocarditis was present in 52.8% (95% CI, 46.6%-59.0%) of patients. Enterococci species and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently isolated microorganisms (24.6%; 95% CI, 19.1%-30.1% and 23.3%; 95% CI, 17.9%-28.7%, respectively). The in-hospital mortality rate was 36% (95% CI, 30.0%-41.9%; 90 deaths; 160 survivors), and surgery was performed in 14.8% (95% CI, 10.4%-19.2%) of patients during the infective endocarditis episode. In-hospital mortality was associated with a higher logistic EuroSCORE (23.1% vs 18.6%; odds ratio [OR], 1.03 per 1% increase; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05), heart failure (59.3% vs 23.7%; OR, 3.36; 95% CI, 1.74-6.45), and acute kidney injury (67.4% vs 31.6%; OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.42-5.11). The 2-year mortality rate was 66.7% (95% CI, 59.0%-74.2%; 132 deaths; 115 survivors). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients undergoing TAVR, younger age, male sex, history of diabetes mellitus, and moderate to severe residual aortic regurgitation were significantly associated with an increased risk of infective endocarditis. Patients who developed endocarditis had high rates of in-hospital mortality and 2-year mortality.

Randomized evaluation of two drug-eluting stents with identical metallic platform and biodegradable polymer but different agents (paclitaxel or sirolimus) compared against bare stents: 1-year results of the PAINT trial.

OBJECTIVES: We tested two novel drug-eluting stents (DES), covered with a biodegradable-polymer carrier and releasing paclitaxel or sirolimus, which were compared against a bare metal stent (primary objective). The DES differed by the drug, but were identical otherwise, allowing to compare the anti-restenosis effects of sirolimus versus paclitaxel (secondary objective). BACKGROUND: The efficacy of novel DES with biodegradable polymers should be tested in the context of randomized trials, even when using drugs known to be effective, such as sirolimus and paclitaxel. METHODS: Overall, 274 patients with de novo coronary lesions in native vessels scheduled for stent implantation were randomly assigned (2:2:1 ratio) for the paclitaxel (n = 111), sirolimus (n = 106), or bare metal stent (n = 57) groups. Angiographic follow-up was obtained at 9 months and major cardiac adverse events up to 12 months. RESULTS: Both paclitaxel and sirolimus stents reduced the 9-month in-stent late loss (0.54-0.44 mm, 0.32-0.43 mm, vs. 0.90-0.45 mm respectively), and 1-year risk of target vessel revascularization and combined major adverse cardiac events (P < 0.05 for both, in all comparisons), compared with controls. Sirolimus stents had lower late loss than paclitaxel stents (P < 0.01), but similar 1-year clinical outcomes. There were no differences in the risk of death, infarction, or stent thrombosis among the study groups. CONCLUSION: Both novel DES were effective in reducing neointimal hyperplasia and 1-year re-intervention, compared to bare metal stents. Our findings also suggest that sirolimus is more effective than paclitaxel in reducing angiographic neointima, although this effect was not associated with better clinical outcomes.

The Learning Curve and Annual Procedure Volume Standards for Optimum Outcomes of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Findings From an International Registry.

OBJECTIVES: The authors aimed to determine the procedural learning curve and minimum annual institutional volumes associated with optimum clinical outcomes for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a complex procedure requiring significant training and experience for successful outcome. Despite increasing use of TAVR across institutions, limited information is available for its learning curve characteristics and minimum annual volumes required to optimize clinical outcomes. METHODS: The study collected data for patients at 16 centers participating in the international TAVR registry since initiation of the respective TAVR program. All cases were chronologically ordered into initial (1 to 75), early (76 to 150), intermediate (151 to 225), high (226 to 300), and very high (>300) experience operators for TAVR learning curve characterization. In addition, participating institutions were stratified by annual TAVR case volume into low-volume (<50), moderate-volume (50 to 100), and high-volume (>100) groups for comparative analysis. Procedural and 30-day clinical outcomes were collected and multivariate regression analysis performed for 30-day mortality and the early safety endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 3,403 patients comprised the study population. On multivariate analysis, all-cause mortality was significantly higher for initial (odds ratio [OR]: 3.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.93 to 7.60), early (OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.51 to 5.03), and intermediate (OR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.19 to 5.40) experience groups compared with the very high experience operators. In addition, the early safety endpoint was significantly worse for all experience groups compared with the very high experience operators. Low annual volume (<50) TAVR institutions had significantly higher all-cause 30-day mortality (OR: 2.70; 95% CI: 1.44 to 5.07) and worse early safety endpoint (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.17) compared with the moderate- and high-volume groups. There was no difference in patient outcomes between intermediate and high annual volume groups. CONCLUSIONS: TAVR procedures display important learning curve characteristics with both greater procedural safety and a lower mortality when performed by experienced operators. In addition, TAVR performed at low annual volume (<50 procedures) institutions is associated with decreased procedural safety and higher patient mortality. These findings have important implications for operator training and patient care at centers performing TAVR.

[Coronary angiography and angioplasty in diabetic patients]. / Cateterismo cardíaco, diagnóstico (angiografia) e terapêutico (angioplastia) na doença arterial coronária dos pacientes diabéticos.

Screening, diagnosis and revascularization of coronary artery disease (CAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus are major challenges for current clinical practice. Diagnostic (angiography) and therapeutic (angioplasty) cardiac catheterization are important resources for the clinical assessment and management of coronary atherosclerosis. Anatomic peculiarities of CAD in diabetics can be well characterized by angiography, associated or not by intravascular ultrasound. The worse outcome following coronary revascularization procedures, either angioplasty or surgery, in diabetic is one of the main fields of clinical research. In spite of controversies, about one quarter of angioplasty and one third of surgical revascularization procedures are performed in diabetics. Two ongoing, large, randomized, multicentric trials are investigating the best management of CAD in diabetics. The BARI 2D trial is randomizing asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with CAD for either medical therapy or revascularization (angioplasty or surgery, according to the best clinical judgment). The FREEDOM trial is randomizing stable patients with multivessel CAD for either angioplasty with drug eluting stents or surgery, with or without extracorporeal circulation. While the evidences are not available, in order to decide on the best revascularization procedure for individual patients, medical practice has been balanced according to a number of variables. Conditions that favor angioplasty: short lesions, lesions in large vessels, absence of left anterior descending artery disease, previous coronary bypass surgery and high surgical risk due to co-morbidities. Conditions that favor surgery: long lesions, lesions in small vessels, presence of left anterior descending artery disease and need for associated valve surgery.

Permanent Pacing After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Incidence, Predictors and Evolution of Left Ventricular Function.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a well-established procedure; however, atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) is a common complication. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, predictors and clinical outcomes of PPI after TAVI, focusing on how PPI affects left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after TAVI. METHODS: The Brazilian Multicenter TAVI Registry included 819 patients submitted to TAVI due to severe aortic stenosis from 22 centers from January/2008 to January/2015. After exclusions, the predictors of PPI were assessed in 670 patients by use of multivariate regression. Analysis of the ROC curve was used to measure the ability of the predictors; p < 0.05 was the significance level adopted. RESULTS: Within 30 days from TAVI, 135 patients (20.1%) required PPI. Those patients were older (82.5 vs. 81.1 years; p = 0.047) and mainly of the male sex (59.3% vs 45%; p = 0.003). Hospital length of stay was longer in patients submitted to PPI (mean = 15.7 ± 25.7 vs. 11.8 ± 22.9 days; p < 0.001), but PPI affected neither all-cause death (26.7% vs. 25.6%; p = 0.80) nor cardiovascular death (14.1% vs. 14.8%; p = 0.84). By use of multivariate analysis, the previous presence of right bundle-branch block (RBBB) (OR, 6.19; 3.56-10.75; p ≤ 0.001), the use of CoreValve® prosthesis (OR, 3.16; 1.74-5.72; p ≤ 0.001) and baseline transaortic gradient > 50 mm Hg (OR, 1.86; 1.08-3.2; p = 0.025) were predictors of PPI. The estimated risk of PPI ranged from 4%, when none of those predictors was present, to 63%, in the presence of all of them. The model showed good ability to predict the need for PPI: 0.69 (95%CI: 0.64 - 0.74) in the ROC curve. The substudy of 287 echocardiograms during the 1-year follow-up showed worse LVEF course in patients submitted to PPI (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: BRD prévio, gradiente aórtico médio > 50 mmHg e CoreValve® são preditores independentes de implante de MPD pós-TAVI. Ocorreu implante de MPD em aproximadamente 20% dos casos de TAVI, o que prolongou a internação hospitalar, mas não afetou a mortalidade. O implante de MPD afetou negativamente a FEVE pós-TAVI.

[Prevalence of coronary artery disease in type I diabetic candidates for double transplantation (kidney and pancreas)]. / Prevalência da doença arterial coronariana em diabéticos tipo 1 candidatos a transplante duplo (rim e pâncreas).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a population of type I diabetic, nephropathic patients in a dialysis program and candidates for double transplantation (kidney and pancreas). METHODS: From January 2000 to July 2002, 58 type I diabetic patients underwent coronary cineangiography as part of an assessment protocol for double transplantation. Coronary artery disease was defined as any irregularity in the coronary arteries and was classified according to the degree of luminal stenosis as mild (< 30%), moderate (> or = 30 to 70%), and severe (> 70%). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34 +/- 12 years, and 32 (55%) were men. No patient had a history of angina or acute myocardial infarction. The major risk factors for the disease were systemic arterial hypertension in 93% of the patients, dyslipidemia in 38%, familial history in 25%, and smoking in 20%. The mean duration of diabetes was 20.8 +/- 9 years, and the duration of dialysis was 26 +/- 9 months. Coronary angiography revealed coronary artery disease in 42 (72%) patients, which was mild in 20 (34%) patients, moderate in 9 (16%), and severe in 13 (22%). CONCLUSION: Patients with type I diabetes in a dialysis program and candidates for double transplantation had an elevated prevalence of coronary artery disease. It is worth noting that those patients had no symptoms of the disease.

Very late outcomes of drug-eluting stents coated with biodegradable polymers: insights from the 5-year follow-up of the randomized PAINT trial.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the very long-term outcomes after implantation of drug-eluting stents (DES) coated with biodegradable polymers (BP). This report presents the 5-year clinical follow-up of patients treated with BP-DES in the randomized PAINT trial. METHODS: The PAINT study is a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial that allocated 274 patients for treatment with two BP-DES formulations [paclitaxel-eluting stents (PES) or sirolimus-eluting stents (SES)] or bare metal stents (BMS) in a 1:2:2 ratio, respectively. The primary end-point of this sub-study was defined as the composite of the major cardiac adverse events (MACE) cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) or ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR) at 5 years. RESULTS: The 5-year MACE rates were different among the groups: 35.3%, 22.5% and 16.9% for BMS, PES and SES, respectively (P<0.05 for both DES vs. bare stent comparisons). The primary end-point was mainly driven by TVR: 31.8%, 14.1% and 12.2% for bare stents, PES and SES, respectively (P<0.05 for both DES vs. bare stent comparisons). The incidence of stent thrombosis (ST) was null for BMS during the entire follow-up. There was no definite or probable ST in the SES group after the second year, while one patient (1.0%) presented with a definite ST episode in the PES group between 4 and 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The tested biodegradable-polymer coated stents releasing either paclitaxel or sirolimus, compared with same bare metal platform, sustained their effectiveness in reducing combined major adverse cardiac events and re-intervention without an increase in ST during 5 years of follow-up.

Impact of stenting and oral sirolimus on endothelium-dependent and independent coronary vasomotion.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the impact of stenting on long-term endothelial function. There have been reports of increased endothelial dysfunction with sirolimus-eluting stents as compared to bare metal stenting (BMS). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the impact of BMS and the effect of oral sirolimus on endothelial function. METHODS: Forty-five patients were randomized into three groups: BMS + high-dose oral sirolimus (initial dose of 15 mg, followed by 6 mg/day for four weeks); BMS + low-dose sirolimus (6 mg followed by 2 mg daily for four weeks); and BMS without sirolimus. Changes in vasoconstriction or vasodilation in a 15 mm segment starting at the distal stent end in response to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin were assessed by quantitative angiography. RESULTS: The groups had similar angiographic characteristics. The percent variation in diameter in response to acetylcholine was similar in all groups at the two time points (p = 0.469). Four hours after stenting, the target segment presented an endothelial dysfunction that was maintained after eight months in all groups. In all groups, endothelium-independent vasomotion in response to nitroglycerin was similar at four hours and eight months, with increased target segment diameter after nitroglycerin infusion (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The endothelial dysfunction was similarly present at the 15 mm segment distal to the treated segment, at 4 hours and 8 months after stenting. Sirolimus administered orally during 4 weeks to prevent restenosis did not affect the status of endothelium-dependent and independent vasomotion.

Hydration with sodium bicarbonate does not prevent contrast nephropathy: a multicenter clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Radiographic contrast media exposition can cause acute renal function impairment. There is limited and conflicting evidence that hydration with sodium bicarbonate prevents contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at determining whether sodium bicarbonate is superior to hydration with saline to prevent nephropathy in patients at risk undergoing cardiac catheterization. METHODS: Three hundred and one patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention with serum creatinine > 1.2mg/dL or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 50 ml/min were randomized to receive hydration with sodium bicarbonate starting 1 hour before the procedure and 6 hours after the procedure, or hydration with 0.9% saline. CIN was defined as an increase of 0.5mg/dL in creatinine in 48 h RESULTS: Eighteen patients (5.9%) developed contrast induced nephropathy: 9 patients in the bicarbonate group (6.1%) and 9 patients in the saline group (6.0%), p = 0.97. The change in serum creatinine was similar in both groups, 0.01 ± 0.26 mg/dL in the bicarbonate group and 0.01 ± 0.35 mg/dL in the saline group, p = 0.9. No statistical difference was observed between the change in glomerular filtration rate (0.89 ± 9 ml/min vs. 2.29 ± 10 ml/min, p = 0.2 bicarbonate group and saline group, respectively). CONCLUSION: Hydration with sodium bicarbonate was not superior to saline to prevent contrast media induced nephropathy in patients at risk undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Late clinical outcomes after implantation of drug-eluting stents coated with biodegradable polymers: 3-year follow-up of the PAINT randomised trial.

AIMS: The long-term clinical performance of drug-eluting stents (DES) coated with biodegradable polymers is poorly known. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 274 coronary patients were randomly allocated to paclitaxel-eluting stents, sirolimus-eluting stents, or bare metal stents (2:2:1 ratio). The two DES used the same biodegradable polymers and were identical except for the drug. At three years, the pooled DES population had similar rates of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (9.0% vs. 7.1; p=0.6), but lower risk of repeat interventions (10.0% vs. 29.9%; p<0.01) than controls with bare stents. The cumulative 3-year incidence of definite or probable stent thrombosis in the pooled DES group was 2.3% (first year: 1.8%; second year: 0.4%; third year: zero). There were no significant differences in outcomes between paclitaxel- and sirolimus-eluting stents. CONCLUSIONS: The biodegradable-polymer coated DES releasing either paclitaxel or sirolimus were effective in reducing the 3-year rate of re-interventions.

Permanent Pacing After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Incidence, Predictors and Evolution of Left Ventricular Function / Marca-passo Definitivo após Implante Valvar Aórtico Transcateter: Incidência, Preditores e Evolução da Função Ventricular Esquerda

Abstract Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a well-established procedure; however, atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) is a common complication. Objectives: To determine the incidence, predictors and clinical outcomes of PPI after TAVI, focusing on how PPI affects left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after TAVI. Methods: The Brazilian Multicenter TAVI Registry included 819 patients submitted to TAVI due to severe aortic stenosis from 22 centers from January/2008 to January/2015. After exclusions, the predictors of PPI were assessed in 670 patients by use of multivariate regression. Analysis of the ROC curve was used to measure the ability of the predictors; p < 0.05 was the significance level adopted. Results: Within 30 days from TAVI, 135 patients (20.1%) required PPI. Those patients were older (82.5 vs. 81.1 years; p = 0.047) and mainly of the male sex (59.3% vs 45%; p = 0.003). Hospital length of stay was longer in patients submitted to PPI (mean = 15.7 ± 25.7 vs. 11.8 ± 22.9 days; p < 0.001), but PPI affected neither all-cause death (26.7% vs. 25.6%; p = 0.80) nor cardiovascular death (14.1% vs. 14.8%; p = 0.84). By use of multivariate analysis, the previous presence of right bundle-branch block (RBBB) (OR, 6.19; 3.56-10.75; p ≤ 0.001), the use of CoreValve® prosthesis (OR, 3.16; 1.74-5.72; p ≤ 0.001) and baseline transaortic gradient > 50 mm Hg (OR, 1.86; 1.08-3.2; p = 0.025) were predictors of PPI. The estimated risk of PPI ranged from 4%, when none of those predictors was present, to 63%, in the presence of all of them. The model showed good ability to predict the need for PPI: 0.69 (95%CI: 0.64 - 0.74) in the ROC curve. The substudy of 287 echocardiograms during the 1-year follow-up showed worse LVEF course in patients submitted to PPI (p = 0.01). Conclusion: BRD prévio, gradiente aórtico médio > 50 mmHg e CoreValve® são preditores independentes de implante de MPD pós-TAVI. Ocorreu implante de MPD em aproximadamente 20% dos casos de TAVI, o que prolongou a internação hospitalar, mas não afetou a mortalidade. O implante de MPD afetou negativamente a FEVE pós-TAVI.

Resumo Fundamento: O implante valvar aórtico transcateter (TAVI) está bem estabelecido, porém, o bloqueio atrioventricular, com necessidade de marca-passo definitivo (MPD), é complicação frequente. Objetivo: Determinar a incidência, preditores e desfechos clínicos de implante de MPD após TAVI, focando em como a evolução da fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE), após o TAVI, é afetada pelo MPD. Métodos: No registro brasileiro foram incluídos 819 pacientes submetidos a TAVI por estenose aórtica severa em 22 centros entre janeiro/2008 e janeiro/2015. Após exclusões, os preditores de implante de MPD foram avaliados em 670 pacientes por regressão multivariada. Análise da curva ROC foi utilizada para medir a habilidade dos preditores; p < 0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: Aos 30 dias, 135 pacientes (20,1%) necessitaram de MPD. Tais pacientes eram mais velhos (82,5 vs. 81,1 anos; p = 0,047) e predominantemente homens (59,3% vs 45%; p = 0,003). A permanência hospitalar foi maior no Grupo MPD (média= 15,7 ± 25,7 vs. 11,8 ± 22,9 dias; p < 0,001), mas o implante não afetou morte por qualquer causa (26,7% vs. 25,6%; p = 0,80) nem morte cardiovascular (14,1% vs. 14,8%; p = 0,84). Por análise multivariada, a presença prévia de bloqueio de ramo direito (BRD) (OR, 6,19; 3,56-10,75; p ≤ 0,001), o uso da prótese CoreValve® (OR, 3,16; 1,74-5,72; p ≤ 0,001) e gradiente transaórtico basal > 50 mmHg (OR, 1,86; 1,08-3,2; p= 0,025) foram preditores de implante de MPD. O risco estimado de implante de MPD foi 4%, quando nenhum dos fatores de risco estava presente, e 63% na presença de todos. O modelo mostrou boa habilidade de prever a necessidade de MPD: 0,69 (IC95%: 0,64 - 0,74) na curva ROC. Subestudo de 287 ecocardiogramas durante o seguimento de 1 ano mostrou pior evolução da FEVE no Grupo MPD (p = 0,01). Conclusão: Em crianças de 6 a 11 anos, circunferência da cintura aumentada está associada à PA elevada, mesmo quando o IMC é normal. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Catheter-induced in-stented segment coronary dissection.

Coronary angiography can lead to different kinds of complications. Catheter-induced coronary dissection is one of the most feared of them. It is uncommonly reported and may result in ischemic events ranging from angina to death. We report a case of a woman admitted to the hospital due to progressive effort angina who had a complication during percutaneous coronary intervention not previously reported. It is a usual thinking that a coronary artery stented segment would not be prone to dissect either spontaneously or catheter-induced. This report describes a catheter-induced in-stented segment coronary dissection and a discussion if the dissection line involving the left anterior descending coronary artery stented segment occurred between the stent and the intimal hyperplasia or between the stent and the adventitia.

Electrocardiogram sensitivity in left ventricular hypertrophy according to gender and cardiac mass.

BACKGROUND: Several factors are known to interfere with electrocardiogram (ECG) sensitivity when diagnosing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH), with gender and cardiac mass being two of the most important ones OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of gender on the sensitivity of some of the criteria used to detect LVH, according to the progression of ventricular hypertrophy degree. METHODS: According to gender and the degree of LVH at the echocardiogram, the patients were divided in three groups: mild, moderate and severe LVH. ECG sensitivity to detect LVH was assessed between men and women, according to the LVH degree. RESULTS: Of the 874 patients, 265 were males (30.3%) and 609, females (69.7%). The [(S + R) X QRS], Sokolow-Lyon, Romhilt-Estes, Perugia and strain criteria showed high discriminatory power in the diagnosis of LVH between men and women in the three groups with LVH, with a superior performance in the male population and highlighting the importance of the [(S + R) X QRS] and Perugia scores. Conclusion: The diagnostic sensitivity of the ECG increases with the cardiac mass. The examination is more sensitive in men, highlighting the importance of the [(S + R) X QRS] and Perugia scores. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic sensitivity of the ECG increases with the cardiac mass. The examination is more sensitive in men, highlighting the importance of the [(S + R) X QRS] and Perugia scores.

Rationale and design for the PAINT randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: We describe the rationale and design for the 'PercutAneous INTervention with biodegradable-polymer based paclitaxel-eluting or sirolimus-eluting versus bare stents for de novo coronary lesions - PAINT trial'. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate two novel formulations of paclitaxel-eluting stent and the sirolimus-eluting stent against a stent with the same metallic structure but without polymer coating or drug elution. METHODS: The PAINT is a multicenter 3-arm randomized trial, conducted in Brazilian tertiary institutions, which included 275 patients allocated for the InfinniumR paclitaxel-eluting stent, the SupralimusR sirolimus-eluting stent or the Milennium MatrixR bare metal stent in a 2:2:1 ratio. Patients had de novo coronary lesions in native vessels with a diameter between 2.5 and 3.5 mm, amenable for treatment with a single stent of 29 mm or less in length. The primary objective was to compare the in-stent late loss at 9 months of both paclitaxel- and sirolimus-eluting versus the late loss of control bare metal stents. Important secondary objectives included the comparison in outcomes between sirolimus and paclitaxel stents, as well as the analysis of the incidence of major adverse cardiac events. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The PAINT trial had a unique design that allowed for the evaluation of the safety and efficacy profiles of two novel drug-eluting stent formulations, with a biodegradable-polymer carrier and releasing paclitaxel or sirolimus, which were compared against a bare metal stent (primary objective). As the drug-eluting stents differed by the drug, but were identical otherwise, the trial also allowed the comparison of the anti-restenosis effects of sirolimus versus paclitaxel (secondary objective).

Resultados angiográficos e do seguimento clínico de 5 Anos após implante de stents farmacológicos com revestimento biodegradável em pacientes com alto risco de reestenose: análise de subgrupo do estudo randomizado PAINT / Angiographic and 5-year clinical follow-up after implantation of drug-eluting stents with biodegradable coating in patients at high risk of restenosis: the PAINT randomized trial

Introdução: Polímeros biodegradáveis foram desenvolvidos para reduzir a reação de hipersensibilidade associada aos polímeros duráveis dos stents farmacológicos de primeira geração, mantendo sua eficácia antiproliferativa e aumentado sua segurança. Avaliamos os resultados angiográficos de 9 meses e os resultados clínicos de longo prazo dos stents farmacológicos com polímeros biodegradáveis em pacientes com alto risco de reestenose. Métodos: Pacientes com diâmetro de referência ≤ 2,5 mm, extensão da lesão ≥ 15 mm, diabetes, ou uma combinação dessas características foram selecionados da população do estudo PAINT. Esses pacientes foram previamente randomizados e alocados para intervenção coronária percutânea recebendo os stents farmacológicos com polímeros biodegradáveis com sirolimus ou com paclitaxel ou stents metálicos, na razão 2:2:1. Resultados: Cento e setenta e oito pacientes foram tratados com stents farmacológicos com polímeros biodegradáveis (n = 142) ou stents metálicos (n = 36). No acompanhamento angiográfico de 9 meses, os primeiros mostraram menor perda tardia (0,40 ± 0,42 mm vs. 0,90 ± 0,47 mm; p < 0,01) e reestenose binária (7,4% vs. 25%; p < 0,01). No acompanhamento clínico de 5 anos, o grupo com stents farmacológicos com polímeros biodegradáveis mostrou menores taxas do desfecho combinado de morte cardíaca, infarto do miocárdio e revascularização do vaso-alvo (16,2% vs. 38,0%; p = 0,03), principalmente devido à redução da revascularização do vaso-alvo (9,9% vs. 36,1%; p < 0,01). Morte total, morte cardíaca e infarto do miocárdio não foram diferentes entre os grupos. A trombose do stent, provável ou definitiva, ocorreu em 2,8% vs. 0% (p = 0,30). Conclusões: Os stents farmacológicos com polímeros biodegradáveis eluidores de paclitaxel ou sirolimus foram eficazes na redução de reestenose angiográfica aos 9 meses e na necessidade de reintervenção por reestenose clínica em 5 anos, sem aumentar o risco de...

Background: Biodegradable polymers were developed to reduce the hypersensitivity reaction associated to durable polymers found with the first generation drug-eluting stents, while maintaining antiproliferative efficacy and increasing safety. This study evaluated the 9-month angiographic follow-up and long-term clinical outcomes of biodegradable polymer-coated drug-eluting stents compared with identical platform metallic stents in patients with high-risk for restenosis. Methods: Patients with a reference diameter ≤ 2.5 mm, lesion length ≥ 15 mm, diabetes, or a combination of these characteristics were selected from the population of the PAINT trial. These patients were previously randomized and allocated for percutaneous coronary intervention with either a sirolimus-eluting biodegradable polymer-coated stent, a paclitaxel-eluting biodegradable polymer-coated stent, or an identical metallic platform stent, at a ratio of 2:2:1. Results: One hundred and seventy-eight patients were treated with biodegradable polymer-coated drug-eluting stents (n = 142) or bare metal stents (n = 36). At the 9-month angiographic follow-up, biodegradable polymercoated drug-eluting stents had lower rates of late loss (0.40 ± 0.42 mm vs. 0.90 ± 0.47 mm; p < 0.01) and binary restenosis (7.4% vs. 25%; p <0.01). In the 5-year clinical follow-up, the group with biodegradable polymer-coated drug-eluting stents had lower rates of the composite endpoint of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization (16.2% vs. 38.0%; p = 0.03), especially due to the reduction of target vessel revascularization (9.9% vs. 36.1%; (p 0.01). Total death, cardiac death and myocardial infarction were not different among groups. 0% (p = 0.30). Conclusions: Paclitaxel or sirolimus-eluting biodegradable polymer-coated stents were effective in reducing angiographic restenosis at 9 months and the need of reintervention for clinical restenosis in 5...

Orally administered rapamycin does not modify rat aortic vascular tone.

Rapamycin (RP; rapamune, sirolimus) is a potent inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration. RP was demonstrated to reduce vascular neointimal formation in different animal models of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and clinical use of RP-eluting stents promotes significant reductions in in-stent restenosis rates. However, high costs still preclude the widespread use of these devices. Oral administration of RP associated to bare metal stent delivery has been advocated as an effective and considerably less expensive alternative for restenosis prevention. It is noteworthy that the presence of RP-eluting stents has been associated with reduced endothelial-dependent vasodilation and coronary spasm. In addition, RP has been demonstrated to prevent vasculogenesis. This study evaluated the effects of RP on endothelium-dependent vascular tone and demonstrated that in vitro incubation with high concentrations of RP did not modify either contraction or relaxation of aortic rings. Similar results were obtained after in vivo administration of the drug. These findings suggest that function of adult, non-proliferative rat endothelial cells involved in vascular tone control is not affected by orally administered RP.

Impacto dos stents e do sirolimus por via oral na vasomotilidade coronariana dependente e independente do endotelio / Impact of stenting and oral sirolimus on endothelium-dependent and independent coronary vasomotion

FUNDAMENTO: Não há consenso sobre o impacto do implante de stent sobre a função endotelial no longo prazo. Há relatos de disfunção endotelial aumentada com stent com sirolimus quando comparado com o stent metálico convencional (BMS). OBJETIVO: Este estudo visa a avaliar o impacto do BMS e o efeito do sirolimus por via oral sobre a função endotelial. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e cinco pacientes foram randomizados em três grupos: BMS + altas doses de sirolimus oral (dose inicial de 15 mg, seguida de 6 mg/dia durante quatro semanas); BMS + baixa dose de sirolimus (6 mg, seguida de 2 mg por dia durante quatro semanas) e BMS sem sirolimus. Mudanças na vasoconstrição ou vasodilatação, em um segmento de 15 milímetros começando pelo extremo distal do stent em resposta a acetilcolina e nitroglicerina, foram avaliadas por angiografia quantitativa. RESULTADOS: Os grupos apresentaram características angiográficas semelhantes. A variação percentual de diâmetro em resposta a acetilcolina foi semelhante em todos os grupos, nos dois momentos (p = 0,469). Quatro horas após o implante de stent, o segmento alvo apresentou uma disfunção endotelial que se manteve após oito meses em todos os grupos. Em todos os grupos, a vasomotricidade independente de endotélio em resposta a nitroglicerina foi semelhante, às quatro horas e aos oito meses, com diâmetro do segmento alvo aumentado após a infusão de nitroglicerina (p = 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A disfunção endotelial esteve igualmente presente no segmento distal de 15 milímetros do segmento tratado, às 4 horas e aos 8 meses após implante do stent. O sirolimus administrado por via oral durante quatro semanas para evitar a reestenose não afetou o estado de vasomotricidade endotélio dependente e independente.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the impact of stenting on long-term endothelial function. There have been reports of increased endothelial dysfunction with sirolimus-eluting stents as compared to bare metal stenting (BMS). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the impact of BMS and the effect of oral sirolimus on endothelial function. METHODS: Forty-five patients were randomized into three groups: BMS + high-dose oral sirolimus (initial dose of 15 mg, followed by 6 mg/day for four weeks); BMS + low-dose sirolimus (6 mg followed by 2 mg daily for four weeks); and BMS without sirolimus. Changes in vasoconstriction or vasodilation in a 15 mm segment starting at the distal stent end in response to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin were assessed by quantitative angiography. RESULTS: The groups had similar angiographic characteristics. The percent variation in diameter in response to acetylcholine was similar in all groups at the two time points (p = 0.469). Four hours after stenting, the target segment presented an endothelial dysfunction that was maintained after eight months in all groups. In all groups, endothelium-independent vasomotion in response to nitroglycerin was similar at four hours and eight months, with increased target segment diameter after nitroglycerin infusion (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The endothelial dysfunction was similarly present at the 15 mm segment distal to the treated segment, at 4 hours and 8 months after stenting. Sirolimus administered orally during 4 weeks to prevent restenosis did not affect the status of endothelium-dependent and independent vasomotion.

Clinical outcome of renal transplant patients after coronary stenting.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical outcome of renal transplant patients who developed coronary artery disease and were treated with coronary stenting (TCA-ST). METHODS: A total of 3,334 renal transplants were performed in our service--Hospital do Rim e Hipertensão--HRH (Kidney and Hypertension Hospital) from July, 1998 to November, 2004. During this period, 33 of the renal transplant patients underwent TCA-ST to treat 62 severe stenoses in 54 coronary arteries. A retrospective analysis was performed with renal transplant patients undergoing TCA-ST at HRH. The clinical events were registered using medical charts, medical visits and phone calls. RESULTS: During the 30-month clinical follow-up after TCA-ST, 67% of the patients remained asymptomatic, 18% presented stable angina, 6% presented acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation (ACSWSTE), and 3% presented acute coronary syndrome with ST-segment elevation (ACSSTE). No strokes, CHF or cardiac deaths were observed. Three non-cardiac deaths occurred. A restenosis rate of 9% was observed, which is comparable to those found in studies on drug-eluting stents. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, renal transplant patients who developed CAD and were treated with coronary stenting had a low rate of in-stent restenosis, probably related to the immunosuppressive regimen given to prevent kidney rejection.