Influence of rabeprazole and famotidine on pharmacodynamic profile of dual antiplatelet therapy in clopidogrel-sensitive patients: The randomized, prospective, PROTECT trial.

Although acid suppressants are needed to attenuate gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), pharmacodynamic interaction between clopidogrel and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) can increase the risk of high platelet reactivity (HPR). We sought to evaluate serial changes of platelet measures and influence of rabeprazole on platelet measures. After 600-mg clopidogrel loading for elective PCI, clopidogrel-sensitive patients were recruited and randomly assigned to add rabeprazole of daily 20 mg (n = 40) or famotidine of daily 40 mg (n = 40). Platelet measures were performed with light transmittance aggregometry and VASP-P assay. Primary endpoint was 5 µM ADP-induced platelet aggregation (PA) at 30-day follow-up. HPR was defined as 5 µM ADP-induced PA > 46%. Baseline platelet measures did not differ significantly between the groups. The 30-day level of 5 µM ADP-induced PA was similar between the famotidine vs. rabeprazole group (30.0 ± 16.4% vs. 30.2 ± 13.9%, P= .956). In addition, other platelet measures were comparable between the groups. At 30-day follow-up, the incidence of HPR was similar between the famotidine and rabeprazole groups (20.5% vs. 15.4%; P= .555). In conclusion, adjunctive use of rabeprazole showed the similar antiplatelet effect even in clopidogrel-sensitive patients compared with adjunctive famotidine, which may support the similar effect of rabeprazole and famotidine on the antiplatelet effect of dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel plus aspirin.

Normal reference values of diastolic strain rate in healthy individuals: Chronological trends and the comparison according to genders.

PURPOSE: Recently, the diastolic strain rate (DSR) utilizing speckle-tracking echocardiography has been proposed as a novel parameter for left ventricular diastolic function. We aimed to present normal reference data for those in a large-sized, selected group of healthy individuals. METHODS: The current study was a part of the Normal echOcardiogRaphic Measurements in KoreAn popuLation (NORMAL), a prospective nationwide survey from 23 centers in Korea. We analyzed 447 subjects (age 48 ± 15 years, 234 females) without any history of cardiovascular disease and presented the early and late DSRs (SRe and SRa , respectively) in a total and gender-/age-specified groups. RESULTS: Among the total subjects, the mean SRe and SRa were 1.6 ± 0.4 S-1 and 0.8 ± 0.3 S-1 , respectively. With increasing age, there were significant trends of decreasing SRe and increasing SRa . Although both gender groups showed comparable age, the female group presented significantly higher SRe compared to male subjects with age of 20-59 years, which diminished after the age of 60 years. However, the SRa was comparable between genders in all age groups. On multiple linear regression, age showed independent associations with both SRe (ß = -0.132, P = .010) and SRa (ß = 0.440, P < .001), whereas gender did not show any association with SRe or SRa . CONCLUSION: We present normal reference data of a novel parameter, DSR, in a large-sized selected group with healthy Korean subjects. Additionally, we present significant age-related changes both in SRe and SRa without the impact of their gender.

Pharmacodynamic effects of a new fixed-dose clopidogrel-aspirin combination compared with separate administration of clopidogrel and aspirin in patients treated with coronary stents: The ACCEL-COMBO trial.

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel and aspirin is a widely prescribed regimen to prevent ischemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A fixed-dose combination (FDC) capsule (HCP0911) has been developed to provide dosing convenience and improve adherence. We compared the antiplatelet effects of single daily dose HCP0911 with separate treatment with daily 75 mg clopidogrel plus 100 mg aspirin. This was a randomized, open-label, two-period, crossover, non-inferiority study conducted in stented patients who had been treated for at least 6 months with clopidogrel and aspirin. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to receive either daily 75 mg clopidogrel plus 100 mg aspirin treatment or HCP0911 for 2 weeks and then were crossed over to the other treatment for 2 weeks. Pharmacodynamic effects were measured with VerifyNow, light transmittance aggregometry (LTA), and thromboelastography (TEG®). The primary endpoint was P2Y12 Reaction Units (PRU) measured by VerifyNow. PRUs during treatment with HCP0911 were not inferior to those during separate treatment (202 ± 52 vs. 207 ± 60 PRU; mean difference, -5 PRU; 90% confidence interval of difference, -23 to 13 PRU; P for non-inferiority = 0.015 for predetermined limit). "BASE" and Aspirin Reaction Units by VerifyNow did not differ between the two treatments. During each treatment, there were no differences in maximal and final platelet aggregations by LTA (all P values ≥0.822) and TEG® measurements. In conclusion, in stented patients, the antiplatelet effect of a fixed-dose clopidogrel-aspirin combination, HCP0911, was not inferior to separate administration of clopidogrel and aspirin.

Case Report: Complete atrioventricular block in an elderly patient with acute pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: Multiple abnormal electrocardiographic findings have been documented in patients experiencing acute pulmonary embolism. Although sinus tachycardia is the most commonly encountered rhythmic disturbance, subsequent reports have highlighted other findings. These include right bundle branch block, right axis deviation, nonspecific ST segment/T wave changes, and T wave inversion in the right precordial leads. To date, only a limited number of cases involving a complete atrioventricular block have been reported in acute pulmonary embolism. Case presentation: Here, we present the case of a 91-year-old woman with acute pulmonary embolism, whose initial electrocardiogram showed a complete atrioventricular block. She presented with presyncope and an initial blood pressure of 77/63 mmHg. Echocardiography confirmed signs of right ventricular dysfunction. Catheter-directed thrombolysis and a temporary pacemaker insertion were carried out sequentially. The following day, electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm with a left bundle branch block. Discussion: The presence of a complete atrioventricular block in patients with acute pulmonary embolism serves as a clinical marker of high-risk status.

Very early vs delayed invasive strategy in high-risk NSTEMI patients without hemodynamic instability: Insight from the KAMIR-NIH.

BACKGROUND: High-risk non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients' optimal timing for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is debated despite the recommendation for early invasive revascularization. This study aimed to compare outcomes of NSTEMI patients without hemodynamic instability undergoing very early invasive strategy (VEIS, ≤ 12 hours) versus delayed invasive strategy (DIS, >12 hours). METHODS: Excluding urgent indications for PCI including initial systolic blood pressure under 90 mmHg, ventricular arrhythmia, or Killip class IV, 4,733 NSTEMI patients were recruited from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institutes of Health (KAMIR-NIH). Patients were divided into low and high- global registry of acute coronary events risk score risk score (GRS) groups based on 140. Both groups were then categorized into VEIS and DIS. Clinical outcomes, including all-cause death (ACD), cardiac death (CD), recurrent MI, and cerebrovascular accident at 12 months, were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 4,733 NSTEMI patients, 62% had low GRS, and 38% had high GRS. The proportions of VEIS and DIS were 43% vs. 57% in the low GRS group and 47% vs. 53% in the high GRS group. In the low GRS group, VEIS and DIS demonstrated similar outcomes; however, in the high GRS group, VEIS exhibited worse ACD outcomes compared to DIS (HR = 1.46, P = 0.003). The adverse effect of VEIS was consistent with propensity score matched analysis (HR = 1.34, P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: VEIS yielded worse outcomes than DIS in high-risk NSTEMI patients without hemodynamic instability in real-world practice.

Relation between the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation assay and light transmittance aggregometry in East Asian patients after high-dose clopidogrel loading.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the relation between platelet aggregation measured by light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) and platelet reactivity index (PRI) measured by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (VASP-P) assay. BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that LTA and VASP-P assay correlate differently according to the level of P2Y12 receptor blockade by thienopyridines. METHODS: We simultaneously measured platelet function by LTA and VASP-P assay in 466 East Asians undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention after a 600-mg clopidogrel loading. High on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined by published consensus criteria. RESULTS: The degree of correlation between LTA and the VASP-P assay was different according to PRI levels. The correlation was lower in patients with poor responsiveness (PRI >60%) (n = 216) (0.035 ≤ r(2) ≤ 0.047), which was greater in responsive patients (PRI ≤60%) (n = 250) (0.315 ≤ r(2) ≤ 0.526). Despite a 600-mg loading, East Asians had a high prevalence of HPR (40.1%-63.5%), and the prevalence of HPR also differed between LTA and VASP-P assay. A PRI cutoff of >58% (area under curve, 0.829; 95% confidence intervals, 0.792-0.862; P < .001) corresponded to the published HPR cutoff by 5-µM adenosine diphosphate-induced maximal platelet aggregation >46%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study correlating platelet reactivity measured by LTA and VASP-P assay in a percutaneous coronary intervention-treated cohort. The correlation is dependent on the level of responsiveness. Future investigations are needed to better define the optimal cutoffs of HPR measured by LTA and VASP-P assay for personalized antiplatelet therapy.

Accelerated platelet inhibition by switching from atorvastatin to a non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin in patients with high platelet reactivity (ACCEL-STATIN) study.

AIMS: CYP3A4-metabolized statins can influence the pharmacodynamic effect of clopidogrel. We sought to assess the impact of switching to a non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin on platelet function among patients receiving clopidogrel and atorvastatin with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR). METHODS AND RESULTS: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-treated patients (n= 50) with HPR [20 µM adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced maximal platelet aggregation (MPA) >50%] were enrolled during chronic administration of atorvastatin (10 mg/day) and clopidogrel (75 mg/day) (≥6 months). They were randomly assigned to a 15-day therapy with either rosuvastatin 10 mg/day (n= 25) or pravastatin 20 mg/day (n= 25). Platelet function was assessed before and after switching by conventional aggregometry and the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. Genotyping was performed for CYP2C19*2/*3, CYP3A5*3, and ABCB1 C3435T alleles. The primary endpoint was the absolute change in 20 µM ADP-induced MPA. After switching, MPAs after stimuli with 20 and 5 µM ADP were decreased by 6.6% (95% confidence interval: 3.2-10.1%; P < 0.001), and 6.3% (95% confidence interval: 2.5-10.2%; P = 0.002), respectively. Fifty-two P2Y12 reaction units fell (95% confidence interval: 35-70; P < 0.001) and the prevalence of HPR decreased (24%; P < 0.001). Pharmacodynamic effects were similar after rosuvastatin and pravastatin therapy. In addition to smoking status, the combination of calcium channel blocker usage and ABCB1 C3435T genotype significantly affected the change of 20 µM ADP-induced MPA. CONCLUSIONS: Among PCI-treated patients with HPR during co-administration of clopidogrel and atorvastatin, switching to a non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin can significantly decrease platelet reactivity and the prevalence of HPR. This switching effect appears similar irrespective of the type of non-CYP3A4-metabolized statin.

Role and Clinical Importance of Progressive Changes in Echocardiographic Parameters in Predicting Outcomes in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic utility of follow-up transthoracic echocardiography (FU-TTE) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is unclear, specifically in terms of whether changes in echocardiographic parameters in routine FU-TTE parameters are associated with cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: From 2010 to 2017, 162 patients with HCM were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Using echocardiography, HCM was diagnosed based on morphological criteria. Patients with other diseases that cause cardiac hypertrophy were excluded. TTE parameters at baseline and FU were analyzed. FU-TTE was designated as the last recorded value in patients who did not develop any cardiovascular event or the latest exam before event development. Clinical outcomes were acute heart failure, cardiac death, arrhythmia, ischemic stroke, and cardiogenic syncope. RESULTS: Median interval between the baseline TTE and FU-TTE was 3.3 years. Median clinical FU duration was 4.7 years. Septal trans-mitral velocity/mitral annular tissue Doppler velocity (E/e'), tricuspid regurgitation velocity, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left atrial volume index (LAVI) at baseline were recorded. LVEF, LAVI, and E/e' values were associated with poor outcomes. However, no delta values predicted HCM-related cardiovascular outcomes. Logistic regression models incorporating changes in TTE parameters had no significant findings. Baseline LAVI was the best predictor of a poor prognosis. In survival analysis, an already enlarged or increased size LAVI was associated with poorer clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in echocardiographic parameters extracted from TTE did not assist in predicting clinical outcomes. Cross-sectionally evaluated TTE parameters were superior to changes in TTE parameters between baseline and FU at predicting cardiovascular events.

Influence of an abnormal ankle-brachial index on ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bleeding events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have important prognostic implications. Data on the influence of an abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI) on both ischemic and bleeding events in patients undergoing PCI are limited. METHODS: We included patients who underwent PCI with available ABI data (abnormal ABI, ≤ 0.9 or > 1.4). The primary endpoint was the composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and major bleeding. RESULTS: Among 4,747 patients, an abnormal ABI was observed in 610 patients (12.9%). During follow-up (median, 31 months), the 5-year cumulative incidence of adverse clinical events was higher in the abnormal ABI group than in the normal ABI group: primary endpoint (36.0% vs. 14.5%, log-rank test, p < 0.001); all-cause death (19.4% vs. 5.1%, log-rank test, p < 0.001); MI (6.3% vs. 4.1%, log-rank test, p = 0.013); stroke (6.2% vs. 2.7%, log-rank test, p = 0.001); and major bleeding (8.9% vs. 3.7%, log-rank test, p < 0.001). An abnormal ABI was an independent risk factor for all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 3.05; p < 0.001), stroke (HR, 1.79; p = 0.042), and major bleeding (HR, 1.61; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: An abnormal ABI is a risk factor for both ischemic and bleeding events after PCI. Our study findings may be helpful in determining the optimal method for secondary prevention after PCI.

Impact of height difference between coronary ostium and location of intracoronary pressure sensor on fractional flow reserve measurements.

BACKGROUND: During fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements, distal coronary pressure (Pd) can be influenced by hydrostatic pressure changes resulting from the height difference (HD) between the coronary ostium and the location of the distal pressure sensor. AIMS: We investigated the effect of aortocoronary HD on the FFR measurements in each coronary artery. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 257 patients who underwent FFR measurements and coronary computed tomography (CCTA) within a year. Using CCTA, we measured HD as the vertical distance between the coronary ostium and a matched point of the distal coronary pressure sensor identified on coronary angiography. RESULTS: The location of the Pd sensor was higher than the coronary ostium in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) (-4.64 ± 1.15 cm) and lower than the coronary ostium in the left circumflex artery (LCX) (2.54 ± 1.05 cm) and right coronary artery (RCA) (2.03 ± 1.28 cm). The corrected FFR values by HD were higher in the LAD (0.78 ± 0.09 to 0.82 ± 0.09, P<0.01) and lower in the LCX and RCA than the original FFR values (0.87 ± 0.07 to 0.85 ± 0.08, P<0.01; 0.87 ± 0.10 to 0.86 ± 0.10, P<0.01, respectively). Using an FFR cut-off value of 0.8, the concordance rates between the FFR and corrected FFR values were 77.8%, 95.2%, and 100% in the LAD, LCX, and RCA, respectively. CONCLUSION: HD between the coronary ostium and the distal coronary pressure sensor may affect FFR measurements and FFR-guided treatment decisions for coronary artery disease.

Interaction analysis between genetic polymorphisms and pharmacodynamic effect in patients treated with adjunctive cilostazol to dual antiplatelet therapy: results of the ACCEL-TRIPLE (Accelerated Platelet Inhibition by Triple Antiplatelet Therapy According to Gene Polymorphism) study.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT: Compared with standard dual antiplatelet therapy, adjunctive cilostazol to dual antiplatelet therapy ('triple antiplatelet therapy') has a potential to reduce ischemic event occurrence after percutaneous coronary intervention. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of clopidogrel have been significantly influenced by the enzyme activity of the ABCB1 C3435T and the CYP2C19 system. • For the pharmacokinetics of cilostazol, genetic polymorphisms of the CYP3A5 and CYP2C19 have been associated with the substantial interindividual variability in healthy volunteers. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Loss-of-function polymorphism of the CYP2C19 gene, but not the ABCB1 C3435T and CYP3A5*3 genes, affects the antiplatelet effect of triple antiplatelet therapy. Most of extensive and intermediate East Asian metabolizers (0 or 1 CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele) show adequate platelet inhibition when treated with triple antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention. However, carriage of 2 CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles is still associated with the risk of high platelet reactivity (defined by by 5 µM ADP-induced maximal platelet aggregation >46%), which clinical impact needs to be validated in future clinical trials. AIMS Although adjunctive cilostazol to dual antiplatelet therapy can reduce the risks of clinical events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), whether genetic polymorphism can influence the pharmacodynamics of this regimen has not been evaluated. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients treated with PCI and taking triple antiplatelet therapy (≥1 month) were enrolled. Platelet reactivity was assessed by conventional aggregometry and the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. High on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as 5 µm ADP-induced maximal platelet reactivity (Agg(max) ) >46%. CYP3A5*3, CYP2C19*2/*3 and ABCB1 3435C > T were genotyped. RESULTS: CYP3A5*3 and ABCB1 3435C > T variants did not affect the antiplatelet effect of triple antiplatelet therapy. For non-carriers, one and two carriers of the CYP2C19 loss-of-function (LOF) allele, Agg(max) consecutively increased after the addition of 5 µm[mean (95% confidence intervals): 24.6% (20.8 to 28.5%) vs. 28.7% (25.4 to 32.0%) vs. 32.3% (25.8 to 38.7%), P = 0.062, respectively] and 20 µm ADP [34.2% (29.3 to 39.0%) vs. 41.7% (37.8 to 45.6%) vs. 44.9% (37.9 to 51.9%), P = 0.007, respectively]. Likewise, late platelet reactivity and P2Y12 reaction units proportionally changed according to the number of CYP2C19 LOF alleles. HPRs were observed in 9.2% of subjects: 6.3%, 7.4% and 20.0% with 0, 1 and 2 carriers of CYP2C19 LOF allele(s) (P = 0.099). In multivariate analysis, carriage of two CYP2C19 LOF alleles was a significant predictor for the prevalence of HPR (odds ratio 5.78, 95% CI 1.21, 27.78, P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Among PCI-treated patients, the effect of triple antiplatelet therapy is influenced by the CYP2C19 LOF allele. Its clinical benefit needs to be validated according to the CYP2C19 metabolic phenotype in future clinical trials. [Adjunctive Cilostazol Versus High Maintenance dose ClopidogrEL in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients According to CYP2C19 Polymorphism (ACCEL-AMI-2C19), NCT00915733 and Adjunctive Cilostazol Versus High Maintenance-dose Clopidogrel According to Cytochrome 2C19 Polymorphism (ACCEL-2C19), NCT01012193].

Native Aortic Valve Thrombus Complicating Intermittent Occlusion of a Left Main Coronary Artery.

Intermittent left main coronary artery ostium obstruction (LMOO) caused by native aortic valve thrombus (NAVT) is an extremely rare condition. It may therefore be challenging to identify the cause using only coronary angiography, even though the clinical presentation and electrocardiography (ECG) strongly suggest myocardial infarction. We herein report a 53-year-old man with NAVT complicating intermittent occlusion of left main disease in preexisting coronary artery stenosis.

Predictors and Long-Term Impact of De Novo Aortic Regurgitation in Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices Using Vena Contracta.

The aim of this study was to identify the optimal echocardiographic measurement of aortic regurgitation (AR) in continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) and determine risk factors and clinical implications of de novo AR. Echocardiographic images from consecutive patients who underwent LVAD implantation from February 2007 to March 2017 were reviewed. Severity of de novo AR was determined by vena contracta (VC). Preimplant clinical characteristics, LVAD settings at discharge, and outcomes including heart failure hospitalizations, all-cause mortality, and ventricular arrhythmias of patients with greater than or equal to moderate de novo AR were compared with those with mild or no AR. Among 219 patients, greater than or equal to moderate de novo AR occurred in 65 (29.7%). Left ventricular assist devices support duration was longer with greater than or equal to moderate AR than no or mild AR. In multivariable analysis, preimplant trivial AR and persistent aortic valve (AV) closure were independently associated with de novo AR. By time-varying covariate analysis, survival and freedom from cardiovascular events in greater than or equal to moderate AR were significantly worse (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.947, p < 0.001 and HR = 4.666, p < 0.001). In conclusion, de novo greater than or equal to moderate AR measured by VC increases risk of adverse events. Longer LVAD support duration, preimplant trivial AR, and a closed AV are associated with occurrence of greater than or equal to moderate de novo AR.

Development of dilated cardiomyopathy with a long latent period followed by viral fulminant myocarditis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The clinical course of acute myocarditis ranges from the occurrence of a few symptoms to the development of fatal fulminant myocarditis. Specifically, fulminant myocarditis causes clinical deterioration very rapidly and aggressively. The long-term prognosis of myocarditis is varied, and it fully recovers without leaving any special complications. However, even after recovery, heart failure may occur and eventually progress to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which causes serious left ventricular dysfunction. In the case of follow-up observation, no clear guidelines have been established. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 21-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea. She became hemodynamically unstable and showed sustained fatal arrhythmias with decreased heart function. She was clinically diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis based on her echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance results. After 2 d, she was readmitted to the emergency department under cardiopulmonary resuscitation and received mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. An implantable cardioverter defibrillator was inserted for secondary prevention. She recovered and was discharged. Prior to being hospitalized for sudden cardiac function decline and arrhythmia, she had been well for 7 years without any complications. She was finally diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: DCM may develop unexpectedly in patients who have been cured of acute fulminant myocarditis and have been stable with a long period of remission. Therefore, they should be carefully and regularly observed clinically throughout long-term follow-up.

Residual Inflammatory Risk and its Association With Events in East Asian Patients After Coronary Intervention.

Background: East Asian population has a low level of inflammation compared with Western population. The prognostic implication of residual inflammatory risk (RIR) remains uncertain in East Asians. Objectives: This study sought to provide an analysis to estimate early-determined RIR and its association with clinical outcomes in East Asian patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: In an East Asian registry including patients with CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 4,562), RIR status was determined by measuring high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) serially at admission and at 1-month follow-up. Patients were stratified into 4 groups according to hsCRP criteria (≥2 mg/L): 1) persistent low RIR (lowon admission-low1 month: 51.0%); 2) fortified RIR (lowon admission-high 1 month: 10.3%); 3) attenuated RIR (highon admission-low1 month: 20.5%); and 4) persistent high RIR (highon admission-high1 month: 18.3%). The risks of all-cause death, ischemic events, and major bleeding were evaluated. Results: In our cohort, median levels of hsCRP were significantly decreased over time (1.3 to 0.9 mg/L; P < 0.001). Compared with hsCRP on admission, hsCRP at 1 month showed the greater associations with all-cause death and ischemic event. During clinical follow-up, risks of clinical events were significantly different across the groups (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Compared with other RIR groups, persistent high RIR showed the higher risk for all-cause death (HRadjusted, 1.92; 95% CI: 1.44 to 2.55; P < 0.001), ischemic events (HRadjusted, 1.26; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.56; P = 0.032), and major bleeding (HRadjusted, 1.98; 95% CI: 1.30 to 2.99; P < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Approximately one-fifth of East Asian patients with CAD have persistent high RIR, which shows the close association with occurrence of ischemic and bleeding events. (Gyeongsang National University Hospital Registry [GNUH]; NCT04650529).

Serum microRNA-185 Levels and Myocardial Injury in Patients with Acute ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Objective Human microRNA-185 (miR-185) has been reported to act as a regulator of fibrosis and angiogenesis in cancer. However, miR-185 has not been investigated in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We hypothesized that the changes in miR-185 levels in STEMI patients are related to the processes of myocardial healing and remodeling. Methods Between January 2011 and December 2013, 145 patients with STEMI (65.9±11.6 years old; 41 women) were enrolled. Initial and discharge serum samples collected from 20 patients with STEMI and mixed sera from 8 healthy controls were analyzed by a microarray. A quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis of miR-185 was performed in all 145 patients. The correlation between the miR-185 levels and the clinical, laboratory, angiographic, and echocardiographic parameters was analyzed. Results The microarray analysis revealed a biphasic pattern in miR-185 levels, with an initial decrease followed by an increase at discharge. The miR-185 levels at discharge were significantly correlated with the troponin-I, CK-MB, and area under the curve of CK-MB levels. There was a positive correlation between the transforming growth factor-ß and miR-185 levels at discharge (ρ=0.242, p=0.026). A high wall motion score index and a low ejection fraction, as measured by echocardiography, and high B-type natriuretic peptide level at one month after STEMI were related to high miR-185 levels. Conclusion Our results showed that elevated miR-185 levels at the late stage of STEMI were related to a large amount of myocardial injury and adverse remodeling.

Anderson-Fabry disease presenting with atrial fibrillation as earlier sign in a young patient: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder that results from a deficiency of α-galactosidase A enzyme activity in which glycosphingolipids gradually accumulate in multi-organ systems. Cardiac manifestations are the leading cause of mortality in patients with AFD. Among them, arrhythmias comprise a large portion of the heart disease cases in AFD, most of which are characterized by conduction disorders. However, atrial fibrillation as a presenting sign at the young age group diagnosed with AFD is uncommon. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of a 26-year-old man who was admitted with chest discomfort. Left ventricular hypertrophy was fulfilled in the criteria by the Sokolow-Lyon index and atrial fibrillation on the 12 Leads-electrocardiography (ECG) that was documented in the emergency room. After spontaneously restored to normal sinus rhythm, relationships between P and R waves, including a shorter PR interval on the ECG, were revealed. The echocardiographic findings showed thickened interventricular septal and left posterior ventricular walls. Based on the clues mentioned earlier, we realized the possibility of AFD. Additionally, we noticed the associated symptoms and signs, including bilateral mild hearing loss, neuropathic pain, anhidrosis, and angiokeratoma on the trunk and hands. He was finally diagnosed with classical AFD, which was confirmed by the gene mutation and abnormal enzyme activity of α-galactosidase A. CONCLUSION: This case is a rare case of AFD as a presentation with atrial fibrillation at a young age. Confirming the relationship between P and Q waves on the ECG through sinus rhythm conversion may help in differential diagnosis of the cause of atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic myocardium.

Prognostic Utility of Culprit SYNTAX Score in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock Complicating ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

A higher SYNTAX score (SS) is strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients with cardiogenic shock complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (CS-STEMI). However, the predictive value of culprit-lesion SYNTAX score (cul-SS) and SS has not been compared although the culprit-lesion-only primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategy showed improved long-term survival recently. This study compared the predictive utility of cul-SS and SS for in-hospital mortality among the patients with CS-STEMI from during 2010-2019. Of the 215 patients, 79 (37%) died. SS ≥22, cul-SS ≥11, final thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow ≤2, and no-reflow phenomenon were associated with in-hospital mortality. In patients with multi-vessel disease, the nonsurvivors with cul-SS ≥11 had a higher mortality rate than the survivors (75.0% vs. 44.9%, p = 0.001), whereas the SS ≥22 showed no significant difference. The cul-SS ≥11 revealed only an independent factor in the multivariate analysis (OR 2.6, p = 0.010). the AUC of cul-SS ≥11 for in-hospital mortality was modest (0.617 p < 0.05), which might be augmented up to 0.745 (p < 0.001) by the combination with TIMI flow ≤2, no-reflow phenomenon, and blood total CO2 content <15 mEq/L. The cul-SS might be more predictive than SS for in-hospital mortality in our patients with CS-STEMI.

Restenosis of a drug eluting stent on the previous bioresorbable vascular scaffold successfully treated with a drug-coated balloon: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The in-stent restenosis (ISR) rates are reportedly inconsistent despite the increased use of second-generation drug eluting stent (DES). Although bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) have substantial advantages with respect to vascular restoration, the rate of scaffold thrombosis is higher with BVS than with DES. Optimal treatment strategies have not been established for DES-ISR to date. CASE SUMMARY: We report on a case of a 60-year-old man patient with acute coronary syndrome. He had a history of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction associated with very late scaffold thrombosis and treated with a DES. Coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis, suggesting DES-ISR on the previous BVS. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) identified a plaque rupture and a disrupted scaffold strut in the neointimal proliferation of DES. To treat the DES-ISR on the previous BVS, we opted for a drug-coated balloon (DCB) after a balloon angioplasty using a semi-compliant and non-compliant balloon. The patient did not experience adverse cardiovascular events on using a DCB following the use of intensive dual antiplatelet therapy and statin for 24 mo. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the importance of OCT as an imaging modality for characterizing the mechanism of target lesion failure. The use of a DCB following the administration of optimal pharmacologic therapy may be an optimal strategy for the treatment and prevention of recurrent BVS thrombosis and DES-ISR.

Cardiac mortality benefit of direct admission to percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospital in acute myocardial infarction: Community registry-based study.

ABSTRACT: Appropriate risk stratification and timely revascularization of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are available in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) - capable hospitals (PCHs). This study evaluated whether direct admission vs inter-hospital transfer influences cardiac mortality in patients with AMI. This study was conducted in the PCH where the patients were able to arrive within an hour. The inclusion criteria were AMI with a symptom onset time within 24 hours and having undergone PCI within 24 hours after admission. The cumulative incidence of cardiac death after percutaneous coronary intervention was evaluated in the direct admission versus inter-hospital transfer groups. Among the 3178 patients, 2165 (68.1%) were admitted via inter-hospital transfer. Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the direct admission group had a reduced symptom onset-to-balloon time (121 minutes, P < .001). With a median period of 28.4 (interquartile range, 12.0-45.6) months, the cumulative incidence of 2-year cardiac death was lower in the direct admission group (NSTEMI, 9.0% vs 11.0%, P = .136; STEMI, 9.7% vs 13.7%, P = .040; AMI, 9.3% vs 12.3%, P = .014, respectively). After the adjustment for clinical variables, inter-hospital transfer was the determinant of cardiac death (hazard ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-2.33; P = .016). Direct PCH admission should be recommended for patients with suspected AMI and could be a target for reducing cardiac mortality.