A streamlined pathway for transcatheter aortic valve implantation: the BENCHMARK study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is significant potential to streamline the clinical pathway for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of implementing BENCHMARK best practices on the efficiency and safety of TAVI in 28 sites in 7 European countries. METHODS: This was a study of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing TAVI with balloon-expandable valves before and after implementation of BENCHMARK best practices. Principal objectives were to reduce hospital length of stay (LoS) and duration of intensive care stay. Secondary objective was to document patient safety. RESULTS: Between January 2020 and March 2023, 897 patients were documented prior to and 1491 patients after the implementation of BENCHMARK practices. Patient characteristics were consistent with a known older TAVI population and only minor differences. Mean LoS was reduced from 7.7 ± 7.0 to 5.8 ± 5.6 days (median 6 vs. 4 days; P < .001). Duration of intensive care was reduced from 1.8 to 1.3 days (median 1.1 vs. 0.9 days; P < .001). Adoption of peri-procedure best practices led to increased use of local anaesthesia (96.1% vs. 84.3%; P < .001) and decreased procedure (median 47 vs. 60 min; P < .001) and intervention times (85 vs. 95 min; P < .001). Thirty-day patient safety did not appear to be compromised with no differences in all-cause mortality (0.6% in both groups combined), stroke/transient ischaemic attack (1.4%), life-threatening bleeding (1.3%), stage 2/3 acute kidney injury (0.7%), and valve-related readmission (1.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Broad implementation of BENCHMARK practices contributes to improving efficiency of TAVI pathway reducing LoS and costs without compromising patient safety.

Experience with the ACURATE neo and neo2 transcatheter aortic valves in Spain. The PRECISA (PRospective Evaluation Complementing Investigation with ACURATE devices) registry.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have documented a high rate of implantation success with the ACURATE neo2 valve, as well as a reduction in paravalvular leak (PVL) compared to its predecessor, the ACURATE neo. However, there are no studies that have reviewed and compared the long-term clinical and hemodynamic outcomes of these patients. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the results of the ACURATE neo transcatheter aortic valve in a real-world context, and to compare the results of the outcomes of both generations of this device (ACURATE neo and ACURATE neo2), with a specific focus on procedural success, safety, and long-term effectiveness. METHODS: A prospective study including all consecutive patients treated with the ACURATE neo device in seven hospitals was conducted (Clinical Trials Identification Number: NCT03846557). The primary endpoint consisted of a composite of adverse events, including mortality, aortic insufficiency, and other procedural complications. As the second-generation device (ACURATE neo2) replaced the ACURATE neo during the study period, hemodynamic and clinical results before admission, at 30 days, and at 1 year of follow-up were compared between the two generations. RESULTS: A total of 296 patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation with the ACURATE device, with 178 patients receiving the ACURATE neo and 118 patients receiving the ACURATE neo2. In the overall population, the absence of device success occurred in 14.5%. The primary reason for the absence of device success was the presence of para-valvular regurgitation ≥ 2. There were no instances of coronary occlusions, valve embolization, annulus rupture, or procedural deaths. ACURATE neo2 was associated with a significantly higher device success rate (91.7% vs. 82%, p = 0.04), primarily due to a significantly lower rate of para-valvular regurgitation, which remained significant at 1 year. CONCLUSION: The use of ACURATE neo and neo2 transcatheter aortic valves is associated with satisfactory clinical results and an extremely low rate of complications. The ACURATE neo2 enables a significantly higher device success rate, primarily attributed to a significant reduction in the rate of PVL.

Relationship between stent length and very long-term target lesion failure following percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the drug-eluting stents era: insights from the EXAMINATION-EXTEND study.

BACKGROUND: Little data exist on the relationship between total stent length (TSL) and cardiovascular outcomes at very-long follow-up in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the 2nd generation drug-eluting stents (DES) era. AIM: To analyze the relationship between TSL and 10-year target-lesion failure (TLF) in STEMI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention enrolled in the EXAMINATION-EXTEND. METHODS: The EXAMINATION-EXTEND was an extended-follow-up study of the EXAMINATION trial, which randomized 1:1 STEMI patients to receive DES or bare metal stent (BMS). The primary endpoint was TLF, defined as a composite of target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel myocardial infarction (TVMI), or definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST). Relationship between stent length and TLF was evaluated in the whole study group in a multiple-adjusted Cox regression model with TSL as a quantitative variable. Subgroup analysis was also performed according to stent type, diameter, and overlap. RESULTS: A total of 1,489 patients with a median TSL of 23 mm (Q1-Q318-35 mm) were included. TSL was associated with TLF at 10 years (adjusted HR per 5 mm increase of 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.14; P = .02). This effect was mainly driven by TLR and was consistent regardless of stent type, diameter, or overlap. There was no significant relationship between TSL and TV-MI or ST. CONCLUSIONS: In STEMI patients, there is a direct relationship between TSL implanted in the culprit vessel and the risk of TLF at 10 years, mainly driven by TLR. The use of DES did not modify this association.

Complete revascularization optimizes patient outcomes in multivessel coronary artery disease: Data from the e-Ultimaster registry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this analysis was to assess the effect of the coronary revascularization strategy during index admission on clinical outcomes among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD). BACKGROUND: The value of complete revascularization (CR) over incomplete revascularization (IR) in MVD patients is not fully established. METHODS: Patients with MVD defined as ≥2 major epicardial vessels with ≥50% stenosis were selected from the observational all-comer e-Ultimaster registry. Patients were treated with a sirolimus-eluting thin-strut coronary stent. Completeness of revascularization was physician assessed at the index procedure or an eventually staged procedure during the index hospitalization. Outcomes measures at 1 year were target lesion failure (TLF) (composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction [MI], and clinically driven target lesion revascularization [TLR]), and patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) (all-cause mortality, MI, or revascularization). The inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) methodology was used to perform a matched analysis. RESULTS: The registry recruited 37,198 patients of whom 15,441 (41.5%) had MVD. CR on hospital discharge was achieved in 7413 (48.0%) patients and IR in 8028 (52.0%) patients. Mean age was 64.6 ± 11.1 versus 65.7 ± 11.0 years (p < 0.01), male gender 77.9% and 77.3% (p = 0.41) and diabetes 31.3% versus 33.4% (p = 0.01) for CR and IR, respectively. Chronic stable angina patients more commonly underwent CR (47.6% vs. 36.8%, p < 0.01). After propensity weighted analysis, 90.5% of CR patients were angina-free at 1 year compared with 87.5% of IR patients (p < 0.01). TLF (3.3% vs. 4.4%; p < 0.01), POCE (6.8% vs. 10.8%; p < .01), and all-cause mortality (2.3% vs. 3.1%; p < .01) were all lower in CR patients. CONCLUSIONS: A physician-directed use of a CR strategy utilizing sirolimus-eluting thin-strut stent results in optimized clinical outcomes and less angina in an all-comer population. Our findings suggest that a CR should be aimed for.

Revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusions in an infarct-related artery and recurrence of ventricular arrhythmias among patients with secondary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the revascularization of a coronary chronic total occlusion in an infarct-related artery (IRACTO) may be associated with lower recurrence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) among patients with a secondary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). BACKGROUND: IRACTO is increasingly recognized as an independent predictor of VA. It is unknown whether IRACTO revascularization can reduce the burden of VA. METHODS: Multicenter observational cohort study that included consecutive patients with prior myocardial infarction and secondary prevention ICD. The primary endpoint was any appropriate ICD therapy. RESULTS: Among the 460 patients included, 269 (58%) had at least one IRACTO at the coronary angiogram performed before ICD implantation; of these, 20 (7%) had their IRACTO successfully revascularized (IRACTO-R) afterwards. During a median follow-up of 48 months, 229 patients (49%) had at least one appropriate ICD therapy. Patients with IRACTO not revascularized (IRACTO-NR) had the highest incidence of ICD therapies (65%) while patients with IRACTO-R had the lowest (10%, p < .001). In the entire cohort, IRACTO-NR was an independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapies (HR 2.85, p < .001) and appropriate ICD shocks (HR 2.94, p < .001). Among patients with IRACTO at baseline, IRACTO-R was independently associated with a marked reduction of appropriate ICD therapies (HR 0.12, p = .002) and appropriate ICD shocks (HR 0.21, p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with prior myocardial infarction and secondary prevention ICD, IRACTO revascularization was independently associated with a markedly lower incidence of appropriate ICD therapies and shocks. These results should be corroborated by larger prospective studies.

Magnesium-Based Resorbable Scaffold Versus Permanent Metallic Sirolimus-Eluting Stent in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: The MAGSTEMI Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The use of poly-l-lactide acid-based bioresorbable scaffolds is limited in daily clinical practice because of safety concerns and lack of physiological benefit. Magnesium-based bioresorbable scaffold (MgBRS) presents a short resorption period (<1 year) and have the potential of being thromboresistant and exhibiting early restoration of vasomotor function. To date, however, no randomized clinical trial has investigated the performance of MgBRS. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the in-stent/scaffold vasomotion between MgBRS and permanent metallic sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) at 12-month follow-up in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients. METHODS: This investigator-driven, multicenter, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial randomized ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients 1:1 to SES or MgBRS at 11 academic centers. The primary end point was the rate of increase (≥3%) after nitroglycerin in mean lumen diameter of the in-stent/scaffold segment at 12 months with superiority of MgBRS over SES in the as-treated population. The main secondary end points included angiographic parameters of restenosis, device-oriented composite end point, their individual components, and device thrombosis rate. Besides, endothelial-dependent vasomotor response to acetylcholine (ie, endothelial function) was also assessed in a subgroup of patients (n=69). RESULTS: Between June 2017 and June 2018, 150 ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction patients were randomized (MgBRS, n=74; SES, n=76). At 1 year, the primary end point was significantly higher in the MgBRS arm (56.5% versus 33.8%; P=0.010). Conversely, late lumen loss was significantly lower in the SES group (in-segment: 0.39±0.49mm versus 0.02±0.27mm, P<0.001; in-device: 0.61±0.55mm versus 0.06±0.21mm; P<0.001). The device-oriented composite end point was higher in the MgBRS arm driven by an increase in ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization rate (12[16.2%] versus 4[5.2%], P=0.030). Definite thrombosis rate was similar between groups (1[1.4%] in the MgBRS arm versus 2[2.6%] in the SES group; P=1.0). Endothelial function assessment at device segment evidenced a more pronounced vasoconstrictive response to maximal dose of acetylcholine in the MgBRS arm (-8.3±3.5% versus -2.4±1.3% in the SES group, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: When compared to SES, MgBRS demonstrated a higher capacity of vasomotor response to pharmacological agents (either endothelium-independent or endothelium-dependent) at 1 year. However, MgBRS was associated with a lower angiographic efficacy, a higher rate of target lesion revascularization, without thrombotic safety concerns. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03234348.

Association of acute kidney injury and bleeding events with mortality after radial or femoral access in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing invasive management: secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

AIMS: In the Minimizing Adverse Haemorrhagic Events by TRansradial Access Site and Systemic Implementation of angioX (MATRIX) trial, adults with acute coronary syndrome undergoing coronary intervention who were allocated to radial access had a lower risk of bleeding, acute kidney injury (AKI), and all-cause mortality, as compared with those allocated to femoral access. The mechanism of the mortality benefit of radial access remained unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used multistate and competing risk models to determine the effects of radial and femoral access on bleeding, AKI and all-cause mortality in the MATRIX trial and to disentangle the relationship between these different types of events. There were large relative risk reductions in mortality for radial compared with femoral access for the transition from AKI to death [hazard ratio (HR) 0.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.97] and for the pathway from coronary intervention to AKI to death (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.92). Conversely, there was little evidence for a difference between radial and femoral groups for the transition from bleeding to death (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.42-2.64) and the pathway from coronary intervention to bleeding to death (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.28-2.49). CONCLUSION: The prevention of AKI appeared predominantly responsible for the mortality benefit of radial as compared with femoral access in the MATRIX trial. There was little evidence for an equally important, independent role of bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. A comparison between balloon-expandable and self-expanding valves.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is common and has been related to higher mortality and major complications. No comparison between balloon-expandable (BEV) and self-expanding valves (SEV) regarding drop platelet count (DPC) has been reported to date. The objectives of this study were to analyze the differences in DPC between BEVs or SEVs and their prognostic implications in clinical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing TAVI. Platelet counts after TAVI were collected. Two groups were created: DPC ≤ 30% and DPC > 30%. VARC-2 criteria were used to define outcomes. RESULTS: Study population was composed of 195 patients (age 77.5 ± 6.7, 57.4% males). All of them but one experienced DPC (mean DPC 31.9 ± 15.3%). DPC was significantly higher among the patients treated with BEV compared to those treated with SEV (36.3 ± 15.1% vs 27.7 ± 14.4, P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, the use of BEV was independently associated with a higher rate of DPC > 30% (67.4% vs 36.0%; OR 3.4; 95% CI, 1.42-8.16). At 30 days, the DPC > 30% was associated with a higher rate of life-threatening/major bleeding, major vascular complications, in-hospital sepsis and mortality. At one year, there were no statistically significant differences in the mortality rate between groups (6.35% vs 10.0%, HR 1.54; 95% CI, 0.56-4.25). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the use of BEV was associated with a higher risk of DPC after TAVI. A DPC rate > 30% was associated with an increased risk of major complications at 30 days.

Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel for recovery of vascular function immediately after successful chronic coronary total occlusion recanalization: A randomized clinical trial.

Coronary vascular function of a chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO) immediately after recanalization is known to be poor. We sought if ticagrelor may augment adenosine-induced coronary blood flow vs. clopidogrel immediately after successful CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

TIcaGrEloR and Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold implantation for recovery of vascular function after successful chronic total occlusion recanalization (TIGER-BVS trial): Rationale and study design.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in coronary blood flow normalization immediately after chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO) recanalization. BACKGROUND: Coronary vascular function of a CTO immediately after recanalization is demonstrated to be poor. METHODS: The TIGER BVS is a prospective, double-randomized, open-label, two parallel-group controlled clinical trial to evaluate efficacy of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in improving vascular function of coronary segment distal to CTO immediately after CTO recanalization. A total of 50 patients who receive CTO PCI will be randomized 1:1 to receive ticagrelor versus clopidogrel at least 3 days before the procedure. Immediately after CTO recanalization with Absorb BVS implantation, a specific study of vascular function under adenosine infusion will be performed. Patients will be therefore randomized 1:1 to receive angiographic follow-up with vascular function and optical coherence tomography analyses at 1- or 3-year follow-up. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with number NCT02211066. CONCLUSIONS: The TIGER BVS trial will provide the first randomized comparison between ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in recovering vascular function in CTO patients. It will also provide important data on vascular restoration therapy of Absorb BVS in this scenario.

Chronic total occlusion in an infarct-related coronary artery and the risk of appropriate ICD therapies.

INTRODUCTION: Risk stratification for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy needs to be improved. Coronary chronic total occlusions in an infarct-related artery (IRA-CTOs) have been associated with an increased arrhythmic risk. This study aimed to evaluate the association between IRA-CTOs and appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Observational cohort study that included 342 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, an ICD implanted for primary or secondary prevention, and a coronary angiography performed shortly before ICD implantation. The ICD was implanted for primary prevention in 163 patients (48%). IRA-CTO was found in 161 patients (47%). During a median follow-up of 33 months, 41% of patients experienced at least one appropriate ICD therapy. Patients with IRA-CTO had higher proportions of appropriate ICD therapies (57% vs. 26%, P < 0.001) and appropriate ICD shocks (40% vs. 17%, P < 0.001). At multivariate Cox regression, IRA-CTO was the only variable that consistently resulted as independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapies and shocks both in the global population of the study (HR 2.3, P < 0.001 and HR 3, P < 0.001, respectively) and when analyzing separately patients with primary or secondary prevention ICD. CONCLUSIONS: IRA-CTO is an independent predictor of appropriate ICD therapies, including appropriate ICD shocks. This association is consistent across all the subgroups analyzed. Patients with IRA-CTO have a very high risk of appropriate ICD therapies. These findings may help improving risk stratification as well as the management of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Chronic total occlusion of an infarct-related artery: a new predictor of ventricular arrhythmias in primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients.

Aims: The aim of this article is to evaluate the impact of a coronary chronic total occlusion in an infarct-related artery (IRA-CTO) on the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in patients implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention. Methods and Results: The study includes a prospective cohort of 108 consecutive patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, in whom an ICD was implanted for primary prevention and a coronary angiography performed before ICD implantation. About 49 patients (45%) had a CTO and 34 (31%) had an IRA-CTO. Patients with IRA-CTO did not differ from the rest of the population in terms of basal characteristics and severity of cardiac disease. Median follow-up was 33 months (interquartile range 46). Infarct-related artery-CTO was associated with higher rates of any VA (53 vs. 26%, P = 0.006) and fast ventricular tachycardia (fast VT, cycle length <300 ms) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) (47 vs. 19%, P = 0.002). At multivariate Cox regression, IRA-CTO was the only independent predictor of any VA [hazard ratio (HR) 3.64, P = 0.002] and fast VT/VF (HR 3.36, P = 0.008). On the contrary, CTO not associated with a prior infarction in their territory did not increase the risk of VA. Infract-related artery-CTO was also an independent predictor of cardiac mortality or heart transplantation (HR 3.46, P = 0.022). Conclusion: In ischaemic patients implanted with an ICD for primary prevention, a CTO associated with a previous infarction in its territory is an independent predictor of VA and, especially, of fast VT/VF, identifying a subgroup of patients with a very high rate of arrhythmic events at follow-up.

Cardiogenic shock and coronary endothelial dysfunction predict cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy remains one of the major causes of death post-heart transplantation. Its etiology is multifactorial and prevention is challenging. The aim of this study was to prospectively determine factors related to cardiac allograft vasculopathy after heart transplantation. This research was planned on 179 patients submitted to heart transplant. Performance of an early coronary angiography with endothelial function evaluation was scheduled at three-month post-transplant. Patients underwent a second coronary angiography after five-yr follow-up. At the 5- ± 2-yr follow-up, 43% of the patients had developed cardiac allograft vasculopathy (severe in 26% of them). Three independent predictors of cardiac allograft vasculopathy were identified: cardiogenic shock at the time of the transplant operation (OR: 6.49; 95% CI: 1.86-22.7, p = 0.003); early coronary endothelial dysfunction (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.49-10.2, p = 0.006), and older donor age (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00-1.10, p = 0.044). Besides early endothelial coronary dysfunction and older donor age, a new predictor for development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy was identified: cardiogenic shock at the time of transplantation. In these high-risk patient subgroups, preventive measures (treatment of cardiovascular risk factors, use of novel immunosuppressive agents such as mTOR inhibitors) should be earlier and much more aggressive.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Fat Quantification from Computed Tomography in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.

Background: In arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) non-invasive scar evaluation is not included among the diagnostic criteria or the predictors of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and sudden death (SD). Computed tomography (CT) has excellent spatial resolution and allows a clear distinction between myocardium and fat; thus, it has great potential for the evaluation of myocardial scar in ARVC. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, and the diagnostic and prognostic value of semi-automated quantification of right ventricular (RV) fat replacement from CT images. Methods: An observational case-control study was carried out including 23 patients with a definite (19) or borderline (4) ARVC diagnosis and 23 age- and sex-matched controls without structural heart disease. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced cardiac CT. RV images were semi-automatically reconstructed with the ADAS-3D software (ADAS3D Medical, Barcelona, Spain). A fibrofatty scar was defined as values of Hounsfield Units (HU) <-10. Within the scar, a border zone (between -10 HU and -50 HU) and dense scar (<-50 HU) were distinguished. Results: All ARVC patients had an RV scar and all scar-related measurements were significantly higher in ARVC cases than in controls (p < 0.001). The total scar area and dense scar area showed no overlapping values between cases and controls, achieving perfect diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity of 100%). Among ARVC patients, 16 (70%) had experienced sustained VA or aborted SD. Among all clinical, ECG and imaging parameters, the dense scar area was the only one with a statistically significant association with VA and SD (p = 0.003). Conclusions: In ARVC, RV myocardial fat quantification from CT is feasible and may have considerable diagnostic and prognostic value.

Serum potassium abnormalities, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor discontinuation, and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal conditions: A population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASIs) play a crucial role in the treatment of several chronic cardiovascular conditions. Nonetheless, hyperkalemia, a frequent side effect, often leads to the discontinuation of RAASIs. The implications of hyperkalemia-driven changes in RAASI medications are poorly understood. METHODS: Population-based, observational, retrospective cohort study. Two large healthcare databases were utilized to identify 77,089 individuals aged 55 years and older with chronic conditions who were prescribed RAASIs between 2015 and 2017 in Southern Barcelona, Spain. We assessed the interplay between serum potassium abnormalities, RAASI management, and their associations with clinical outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders including socioeconomic factors, medical conditions, and potassium levels. RESULTS: The one-year prevalence of hyperkalemia (defined as serum potassium, K+ >5.0 mmol/L) was 17.8 %. RAASI were down-titrated in 16.1 % of these 13,673 patients with K+ levels. Factors linked to a higher likelihood of reducing/discontinuing RAASI after developing hyperkalemia included older age, impaired kidney function, higher potassium levels, and previous hospitalizations. Dose reduction/discontinuation of RAASI after developing hyperkalemia was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.16, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.21) and with increased mortality (HR 1.60, 95 % CI 1.56-1.84). CONCLUSION: In this large, observational study, hyperkalemia was linked to a greater likelihood of discontinuing RAASIs. Down-titration of RAASI was independently associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes such as hospitalization and specially mortality. Although the observational nature of the study, these findings underscore the importance of preventing circumstances that may lead to RAASI down-titration, such as hyperkalemia, as well as preventing hospitalizations and mortality, to ensure RAASI benefits.

Ten-year prognostic impact of target versus non-target vessel failure after STEMI. Insight from the EXAMINATION-EXTEND trial.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: After ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI), the impact of different adverse events on prognosis remains unknown. We aimed to assess very long-term predictors of patient-oriented composite endpoints (POCE) and investigate whether the occurrence of target vessel failure (TVF) vs a non-TVF event as the first event could potentially influence subsequent outcomes. METHODS: The EXAMINATION-EXTEND trial randomized STEMI patients to receive either an everolimus-eluting stent or a bare-metal stent. The follow-up period was 10 years. Predictors of POCE (a composite of all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, or any revascularization) were evaluated in the overall study population. The patients were stratified based on the type of first event (TVF-first vs non-TVF-first) and were compared in terms of subsequent POCE. TVF was defined as a composite of cardiac death, TV myocardial infarction, or TV revascularization. RESULTS: Out of the 1498 enrolled patients, 529 (35.3%) experienced a POCE during the 10-year follow-up. Independent predictors of POCE were age, diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and multivessel coronary disease. The first event was a TVF in 296 patients and was a non-TVF in 233 patients. No significant differences were observed between TVF-first and non-TVF-first patients in terms of subsequent POCE (21.7% vs 39.3%, time ratio 1.79; 95%CI, 0.87-3.67;P=.12) or its individual components. CONCLUSIONS: At the 10-year follow-up, approximately one-third of STEMI patients had experienced at least 1 POCE. Independent predictors of these events were age, diabetes, and more extensive atherosclerotic disease. The occurrence of a TVF or a non-TVF as the first event did not seem to influence subsequent outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04462315.

Long-term survival after cardiac arrest in patients undergoing emergent coronary angiography.

AIM: To determine long-term survival of patients after cardiac arrest undergoing emergent coronary angiography and therapeutic hypothermia. METHODS: We analysed data from patients treated within the regional STEMI Network from January 2015 to December 2020. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at median follow-up. Secondary endpoints were periprocedural complications (arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, mechanical complication, stent thrombosis, reinfarction, bleeding) and 6-month all-cause death. A landmark analysis was performed, studying two time periods; 0-6 months and beyond 6 months. RESULTS: From a total of 24,125 patients in the regional STEMI network, 494 patients who suffered from cardiac arrest were included and divided into two groups: treated with (n = 119) and without therapeutic hypothermia (n = 375). At median follow-up (16.0 [0.2-33.3] months), there was no difference in the adjusted mortality rate between groups (51.3 % with hypothermia vs 48.0 % without hypothermia; HRadj1.08 95%CI [0.77-1.53]; p = 0.659). There was a higher frequency of bleeding in the hypothermia group (6.7 % vs 1.1 %; ORadj 7.99 95%CI [2.05-31.2]; p = 0.002), without difference for the rest of periprocedural complications. At 6-month follow-up, adjusted all-cause mortality rate was similar between groups (46.2 % with hypothermia vs 44.5 % without hypothermia; HRadj1.02 95%CI [0.71-1.47]; p = 0.900). Also, no differences were observed in the adjusted mortality rate between 6 months and median follow-up (9.4 % with hypothermia vs 6.3 % without hypothermia; HRadj2.02 95%CI [0.69-5.92]; p = 0.200). CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of patients with cardiac arrest within a regional STEMI network, those treated with therapeutic hypothermia did not improve long-term survival compared to those without hypothermia.

Structural heart transcatheter interventions in orthotopic cardiac transplant and left ventricular assist devices recipients: A nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: The current incidence and outcomes of structural transcatheter procedures in heart transplant (HTx) recipients and left-ventricular assist devices (LVAD) carriers is unknown. AIMS: To provide insights on structural transcatheter procedures performed across HTx and LVAD patients in Spain. METHODS: Multicenter, ambispective, observational nationwide registry. RESULTS: Until May/2023, 36 percutaneous structural interventions were performed (78% for HTx and 22% for LVAD) widely varying among centers (0%-1.4% and 0%-25%, respectively). Percutaneous mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge (TEER) was the most common (n = 12, 33.3%), followed by trancatheter aortic valve replacement (n = 11, 30.5%), and tricuspid procedures (n = 9, 25%). Mitral TEER resulted in mild residual mitral regurgitation in all but one case, mean gradient was <5 mmHg in 75% of them at 1-year, with no mortality and 8.3% re-admission rate. Tricuspid TEER resulted in 100% none/mild residual regurgitation with a 1-year mortality and readmission rates of 22% and 28.5%, respectively. Finally, trancatheter aortic valve replacement procedures (n = 8 in LVADs due to aortic regurgitation and n = 3 in HTx), were successful in all cases with one prosthesis degeneration leading to severe aortic regurgitation at 1-year, 18.2% mortality rate and no re-admissions. Globally, major bleeding rates were 7.9% and 12.5%, thromboembolic events 3.7% and 12.5%, readmissions 37% and 25%, and mortality 22% and 25%, in HTx and LVADs respectively. No death was related to the implanted transcatheter device. CONCLUSIONS: Most centers with HTx/LVAD programs perform structural percutaneous procedures but with very inconsistent incidence. They were associated with good safety and efficacy, but larger studies are required to provide formal recommendations.

Everolimus-eluting stent versus bare-metal stent in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (EXAMINATION): 1 year results of a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Everolimus-eluting stent (EES) reduces the risk of restenosis in elective percutaneous coronary intervention. However, the use of drug-eluting stent in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is still controversial. Data regarding the performance of second-generation EES in this setting are scarce. We report the 1-year result of the EXAMINATION (clinical Evaluation of the Xience-V stent in Acute Myocardial INfArcTION) trial, comparing EES with bare-metal stents (BMS) in patients with STEMI. METHODS: This multicentre, prospective, randomised, all-comer controlled trial was done in 12 medical centres in three countries. Between Dec 31, 2008, and May 15, 2010, we recruited patients with STEMI up to 48 h after the onset of symptoms requiring emergent percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were randomly assigned (ratio 1:1) to receive EES or BMS. Randomisation was in blocks of four or six patients, stratified by centre and centralised by telephone. Patients were masked to treatment. The primary endpoint was the patient-oriented combined endpoint of all-cause death, any recurrent myocardial infarction, and any revascularisation at 1 year and was analysed by intention to treat. The secondary endpoints of the study included the device-oriented combined endpoint of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction or target lesion revascularisation, and rates of all cause or cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, target lesion or target vessel revascularisation, stent thrombosis, device and procedure success, and major and minor bleeding. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00828087. FINDINGS: Of the 1504 patients randomised, 1498 patients were randomly assigned to receive EES (n=751) or BMS (n=747). The primary endpoint was similar in both groups (89 [11·9%] of 751 patients in the EES group vs 106 [14·2%] of 747 patients in the BMS group; difference -2·34 [95% CI -5·75 to 1·07]; p=0·19). Device-oriented endpoint (44 [5·9%] in the EES group vs 63 [8·4%] in the BMS group; difference -2·57 [95% CI -5·18 to 0·03]; p=0·05) did not differ between groups, although rates of target lesion and vessel revascularisation were significantly lower in the EES group (16 [2·1%] vs 37 [5·0%], p=0·003, and 28 [3·7%] vs 51 [6·8%], p=0·0077, respectively). Rates of all cause (26 [3·5%] for EES vs 26 [3·5%] for BMS, p=1·00) or cardiac death (24 [3·2%] for EES vs 21 [2·8%] for BMS, p=0·76) or myocardial infarction (10 [1·3%] vs 15 [2·0%], p=0·32) did not differ between groups. Stent thrombosis rates were significantly lower in the EES group (4 [0·5%] patients with definite stent thrombosis in the EES group vs 14 [1·9%] in the BMS group and seven [0·9%] patients with definite or probable stent thrombosis in the EES group vs 19 [2·5%] in the BMS group, both p=0·019). Although device success rate was similar between groups, procedure success rate was significantly higher in the EES group (731 [97·5%] vs 705 [94·6%]; p=0·0050). Finally, Bleeding rates at 1 year were comparable between groups (29 [3·9%] patients in the EES group vs 39 [5·2%] in the BMS group; p=0·19). INTERPRETATION: The use of EES compared with BMS in the setting of STEMI did not lower the patient-oriented endpoint. However, at the stent level both rates of target lesion revascularisation and stent thrombosis were reduced in recipients of EES. FUNDING: Spanish Heart Foundation.