Optimising curve fitting techniques to look for standardisation of the analysis of defocus curves derived from multifocal intraocular lenses.

INTRODUCTION: To establish the most appropriate curve fitting method to allow accurate comparison of defocus curves derived from intraocular lenses (IOLs). METHODS: Defocus curves were plotted in five IOL groups (monofocal, extended depth of focus, refractive bifocal, diffractive bifocal and trifocal). Polynomial curves from 2nd to 11th order and cubic splines were fitted. Goodness of fit (GOF) was assessed using five methods: least squares, coefficient of determination (R2adj ), Akaike information criteria (AIC), visual inspection and Snedecor and Cochran. Additional defocus steps at -2.25 D and -2.75 D were measured and compared to the calculated visual acuity (VA) values. Area under the defocus curve and range of focus were also compared. RESULTS: Goodness of fit demonstrated variable results, with more lenient methods such as R2adj leading to overfitting and conservative methods such as AIC resulting in underfitting. Furthermore, conservative methods diminished the inflection points resulting in an underestimation of VA. Polynomial of at least 8th order was required for comparison of area methods, but overfitted the EDoF and monofocal groups; the spline curve was consistent for all IOLs and methods. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the inherent difficulty of selecting a single polynomial function. The R2 method can be used cautiously along with visual inspection to guard against overfitting. Spline curves are suitable for all IOLs, guarding against the issues of overfitting. Therefore, for analysis of the defocus profile of IOLs, the fitting of a spline curves is advocated and should be used wherever possible.

One-year post-operative comparison of visual function and patient satisfaction with trifocal and extended depth of focus intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual performance with trifocal and extended depth of focus IOL at 1 year post-operatively. SETTING: BMI Southend Hospital. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: An age-matched cohort of forty subjects bilaterally implanted with the AT LISA 839MP trifocal IOL (20 patients, 40 eyes) and the Tecnis Symfony extended depth of focus IOL (20 patients, 40 eyes) were assessed at 3-6 months and 12-18 months post-operatively. Primary outcome measures were distance (6 m), intermediate (70 cm), near visual acuity (40 cm), and analysis of defocus profiles. Secondary outcomes included contrast sensitivity, Radner reading performance, quality of vision and assessment of halos. RESULTS: Distance visual acuity (VA) and defocus areas were similar (p = 0.07). No significant difference in intermediate VA was noted but the intermediate area of focus was greater in the EDoF (0.31 ± 0.12 LogMAR*m-1) compared to the trifocal (0.22 ± 0.08LogMAR*m-1) (p = 0.02). However, all near metrics were significantly better in the trifocal group. 80% of trifocal subjects were spectacle independent compared to 50% EDoF subjects. Quality of vision questionnaire found no significant differences between groups, however halo scores were greater at 3-6 months in the trifocal group (p < 0.01) but no differences were noted at 12-18 months. CONCLUSIONS: Near vision is significantly better for the trifocal, thus greater levels of spectacle independence. The range of intermediate vision was greater for the EDoF but no difference in intermediate VA. In the early period, differences in contrast sensitivity and halo size/intensity were noted, however, by one-year these measures were not significantly different.

Predicting the Postoperative Addition Power of a Multifocal Intraocular Lens at the Spectacle Plane.

PURPOSE: To establish a simple clinical method of predicting addition power achieved with a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 41 patients were bilaterally implanted with the Bi-Flex MY multifocal IOL (Medicontur) with +3.50 diopters (D) near addition power. Monocular defocus curves were plotted for each patient and effective addition power was calculated as the dioptric difference between the distance and near inflection points of the defocus curve. Six biometry formulas (Haigis, Holladay, SRK/T, Hill RBF, Barrett Universal II, and Holladay 2) were used to predict the addition power at the spectacle plane. RESULTS: Mean effective addition power was 2.60 ± 0.29 D, with significant (P < .01) differences between the prediction methods. Significant differences were found between predicted and effective addition when the Holladay, SRK/T, Hill RBF, and Holladay 2 formulas were used. A moderate but significant correlation (r = 0.342, P = .033) was found with the Barrett formula, and this was also the method to show the least proportional bias with Bland-Altman analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that the effective addition power can be predicted using the proposed simple clinical method derived using the Barrett Universal II formula. The proposed technique may have significant clinical value in screening for patients where ocular biometry may lead to aberrant addition power. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(5):318-323.].

Coronary artery height differences and their effect on fractional flow reserve.

BACKGROUND: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) uses pressure-based measurements to assess the severity of a coronary stenosis. Distal pressure (Pd) is often at a different vertical height to that of the proximal aortic pressure (Pa). The difference in pressure between Pd and Pa due to hydrostatic pressure, may impact FFR calculation. METHODS: One hundred computed tomography coronary angiographies were used to measure height differences between the coronary ostia and points in the coronary tree. Mean heights were used to calculate the hydrostatic pressure effect in each artery, using a correction factor of 0.8 mmHg/cm. This was tested in a simulation of intermediate coronary stenosis to give the "corrected FFR" (cFFR) and percentage of values, which crossed a threshold of 0.8. RESULTS: The mean height from coronary ostium to distal left anterior descending (LAD) was +5.26 cm, distal circumflex (Cx) -3.35 cm, distal right coronary artery-posterior left ventricular artery (RCA-PLV) -5.74 cm and distal RCA-posterior descending artery (PDA) +1.83 cm. For LAD, correction resulted in a mean change in FFR of +0.042, -0.027 in the Cx, -0.046 in the PLV and +0.015 in the PDA. Using 200 random FFR values between 0.75 and 0.85, the resulting cFFR crossed the clinical treatment threshold of 0.8 in 43% of LAD, 27% of Cx, 47% of PLV and 15% of PDA cases. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant vertical height differences between the distal artery (Pd) and its point of normalization (Pa). This is likely to have a modest effect on FFR, and correcting for this results in a proportion of values crossing treatment thresholds. Operators should be mindful of this phenomenon when interpreting FFR values.

Effects of stent postdilatation during primary PCI for STEMI: Insights from coronary physiology and optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the impact of stent optimization by NC-balloon postdilatation (PD) during primary-PCI for STEMI with the use of coronary physiology and intracoronary imaging. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02788396). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and physiological measurements were performed immediately before and after PD with the operators blinded to all measurements. The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), coronary flow reserve (CFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) were measured. OCT analysis was performed for assessment of stent expansion, malapposition, in-stent plaque-thrombus prolapse (PTP) and stent-edge dissections (SED). The change in IMR before and after PD as a measure of microvascular injury was the primary objective of the study. RESULTS: Thirty-two STEMI patients undergoing primary-PCI had physiological measurements before and after PD. All patients received second-generation DES (diameter 3.1 ± 0.5 mm, length 29.9 ± 10.7 mm) and postdilatation with NC-balloons (diameter 3.6 ± 0.6 mm, inflation pressure 19.3 ± 2.0 atm). IMR (44.9 ± 25.6 vs. 48.8 ± 34.2, p = 0.26) and CFR (1.60 ± 0.89 vs. 1.58 ± 0.71, p = 0.87) did not change, while FFR increased after PD (0.91 ± 0.08 vs. 0.93 ± 0.06, p = 0.037). At an individual patient level, IMR increased in half of the cases. PD improved significantly absolute and relative stent expansion, reduced malapposition, and increased PTP. There was no difference in clinically relevant SED. CONCLUSION: In this exploratory, hypothesis-generating study, postdilatation during primary-PCI for STEMI improved stent expansion, apposition and post-PCI FFR, without a significant effect on coronary microcirculation overall. Nevertheless, IMR increased in a group of patients and larger studies are warranted to explore predictors of microcirculatory response to postdilatation.

Revascularisation or medical therapy in elderly patients with acute anginal syndromes: the RINCAL randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Historically the elderly have been under-represented in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) management trials. AIMS: The aim of this trial was to demonstrate that an intervention-guided strategy is superior to optimal medical therapy (OMT) alone for treating NSTEMI in elderly individuals. METHODS: Patients (≥80 years, chest pain, ischaemic ECG, and elevated troponin) were randomised 1:1 to an intervention-guided strategy plus OMT versus OMT alone. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and non-fatal myocardial reinfarction at 1 year. Ethics approval was obtained by the institutional review board of every recruiting centre. RESULTS: From May 2014 to September 2018, 251 patients (n=125 invasive vs n=126 conservative) were enrolled. Almost 50% of participants were female. The trial was terminated prematurely due to slow recruitment. A Kaplan-Meier estimate of event-free survival revealed no difference in the primary endpoint at 1 year (invasive 18.5% [23/124] vs conservative 22.2% [28/126]; p=0.39). No significant difference persisted after Cox proportional hazards regression analysis (hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.45-1.35; p=0.39). There was greater freedom from angina at 3 months (p<0.001) after early intervention but this was similar at 1 year. Both non-fatal reinfarction (invasive 9.7% [12/124] vs conservative 14.3% [18/126]; p=0.22) and unplanned revascularisation (invasive 1.6% [2/124] vs conservative 6.4% [8/126]; p=0.10) occurred more frequently in the OMT alone cohort. CONCLUSIONS: An intervention-guided strategy was not superior to OMT alone to treat very elderly NSTEMI patients. The trial was underpowered to demonstrate this definitively. Early intervention resulted in fewer cases of reinfarction and unplanned revascularisation but did not improve survival.

Visual function and subjective perception of vision after bilateral implantation of monofocal and multifocal IOLs: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To examine monocular and binocular visual function and patient-reported outcomes after implantation of multifocal IOLs (mIOLs) or monofocal IOLs, using a rigorous series of clinical assessments. SETTING: BMI Southend Hospital, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-masked clinical trial. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomized for bilateral implantation of either a Bi-Flex 677MY mIOL or a Bi-Flex 677AB IOL and were assessed at 3 to 6 months (V1) and 12 to 18 months (V2). Primary outcomes included distance, intermediate, and near logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuities (VAs) and defocus curve profile assessment. Secondary outcomes included reading speed, contrast sensitivity (CS), and the subjective perception of quality of vision. RESULTS: Forty-seven subjects with monofocal IOL and 43 mIOL subjects completed the study. Uncorrected (mIOL: 0.10 ± 0.09 logMAR; IOL: 0.09 ± 0.11 logMAR) and corrected (mIOL: 0.04 ± 0.06 logMAR; IOL: 0.01 ± 0.07 logMAR) distance VAs were comparable (P > .05). Uncorrected near VA (mIOL: 0.23 ± 0.13 logMAR; IOL: 0.55 ± 0.20 logMAR, P < .001) and distance-corrected near VA (mIOL: 0.24 ± 0.13 logMAR; IOL: 0.54 ± 0.17 logMAR, P < .001) were significantly improved with mIOLs. There was no significant difference in distance-corrected intermediate VA (mIOL: 0.38 ± 0.13 logMAR; IOL: 0.39 ± 0.13 logMAR, P = .431). Defocus curves demonstrated an increased range-of-focus among mIOLs (mIOL: 4.14 ± 1.10 diopter [D]; IOL: 2.57 ± 0.77 D). Pelli-Robson CS was different at V1 (P < .001) but similar by V2 (P = .059). Overall satisfaction was high (>90%) in both groups for distance tasks whereas significantly different for near tasks (mIOL, 18.45 ± 16.53 logUnits; IOL, 55.59 ± 22.52 logUnits). CONCLUSIONS: Uncorrected near visual acuity was demonstrably better with mIOLs and there was greater subjective satisfaction with quality of near vision. Halos reported by the mIOL group were significant compared with the IOL group but did not show an adverse effect on overall satisfaction.

CASTLE score versus J-CTO score for the prediction of technical success in chronic total occlusion percutaneous revascularisation.

AIMS: We sought to compare the efficiency of the novel EuroCTO (CASTLE) score with the commonly used Multicentre CTO Registry in Japan (J-CTO) score in predicting procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs). METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 660 consecutive CTO PCIs (mean age 66±11 years, 84% male). The mean J-CTO and EuroCTO (CASTLE) scores were 1.86±1.2 and 1.74±1.2, respectively. Antegrade wire escalation, antegrade dissection re-entry and retrograde approach were used in 82%, 14% and 37% of cases, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated equal overall discriminatory capacity between the two scores (AUC 0.698, 95% CI: 0.653-0.742, p<0.001 for J-CTO vs AUC 0.676, 95% CI: 0.627-0.725, p<0.001 for EuroCTO; AUC difference: 0.022, p=0.5). However, for more complex procedures (J-CTO ≥3 or EuroCTO [CASTLE] ≥4]), the predictive capacity of the EuroCTO (CASTLE) score appeared superior (AUC 0.588, 95% CI: 0.509-0.668, p=0.03 for EuroCTO [CASTLE] score vs AUC 0.473, 95% CI: 0.393-0.553, p=NS for the J-CTO score, AUC difference: 0.115, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the novel EuroCTO (CASTLE) score was comparable to the J-CTO score in predicting CTO PCI outcome with a superior discriminatory capacity for the more complex cases.

Contemporary management of stent thrombosis: Predictors of mortality and the role of new-generation drug-eluting stents.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate mortality predictors and the role of new-generation drug-eluting stents (NG-DES) in stent thrombosis (ST) management. BACKGROUND: No data are available regarding the outcome of patients with ST after interventional management that includes exclusively NG-DES. METHODS: Patients with definite ST of DES or BMS who underwent urgent/emergent angiography between 2015 and 2018 at our institution were considered for the study. After excluding patients who achieved TIMI-flow<2 after intervention or received an old-generation stent, 131 patients were included. Management classification was stent or non-stent treatment (medical management, thromboaspiration, balloon-angioplasty). Follow-up was performed to document all-cause death (ACD) and target-lesion-revascularization (TLR) that was used for censorship. RESULTS: Mode of presentation was STEMI in 88% and UA/NSTEMI in 12%. Type of ST was early, late, and very late in 11, 4, and 85%, respectively. Eighty four patients received stent and 47 non-stent treatment. After 926 ± 34 days, 21 ACDs, 7 TLRs and no cases of definite, recurrent ST were observed. Univariate predictors of in-hospital mortality were LVEF and presentation with shock or cardiac arrest. For patients discharged alive, non-stent treatment (HR 4.2, p = .01), TIMI-2 flow (HR 7.4, p = .002) and GFR < 60 mL/min (HR 3.8, p = .01) were independent predictors of ACD. The stent-treatment group had significantly better ACD-free survival after discharge, both unadjusted (p = .022) and adjusted (p = .018). CONCLUSIONS: After ST management, different predictors were observed for in-hospital mortality and mortality in patients discharged alive. The better outcome with NG-DES treatment is a novel observation, warranting further studies to elucidate if it is associated with stent-related or patient-related factors.

Serial Fractional Flow Reserve Measurements Post Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional result of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) measured by fractional flow reserve (FFR) immediately post the index procedure and at short-term follow-up. Methods and Results This was a prospective single-center observational study. Consecutive patients with right coronary artery chronic total occlusion scheduled for elective PCI were included. FFR measurements were performed immediately after successful PCI and at 4 months follow-up. Twenty-six patients completed baseline and follow-up measurements. Mean age was 61.2±9.7 years, 88.5% of the patients were male, and 19.2% were diabetic. The mean FFR immediately after successful chronic total occlusion PCI was 0.82±0.10 and significantly increased to 0.89±0.07 at 4 months ( P<0.001). The FFR increased in 77% of the patients with a mean absolute increase of 0.07±0.08. The incidence of FFR ≤0.80 immediately after PCI was significantly higher amongst patients with subintimal versus intraplaque recanalization (23% versus 12%; P=0.03). At 4 months, FFR ≤0.80 was found only in 2 patients with subintimal recanalization. At follow-up, 42.7% of the patients continued to have an FFR <0.90. Conclusions Post chronic total occlusion PCI, FFR increased significantly at short-term follow-up compared with measurements post index procedure. Because FFR remained <0.90 in many cases, further efforts should be made to optimize procedural results.

Impact of point-of-care pre-procedure creatinine and eGFR testing in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI: The pilot STATCREAT study.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a recognised complication during primary PCI that affects short and long term prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of point-of-care (POC) pre-PPCI creatinine and eGFR testing in STEMI patients. METHODS: 160 STEMI patients (STATCREAT group) with pre-procedure POC testing of Cr and eGFR were compared with 294 consecutive retrospective STEMI patients (control group). Patients were further divided into subjects with or without pre-existing CKD. RESULTS: The incidence of CI-AKI in the whole population was 14.5% and not different between the two overall groups. For patients with pre-procedure CKD, contrast dose was significantly reduced in the STATCREAT group (124.6ml vs. 152.3ml, p=0.015). The incidence of CI-AKI was 5.9% (n=2) in the STATCREAT group compared with 17.9% (n=10) in the control group (p=0.12). There was no difference in the number of lesions treated (1.118 vs. 1.196, p=0.643) or stents used (1.176 vs. 1.250, p=0.78). For non-CKD patients, there was no significant difference in contrast dose (172.4ml vs. 158.4ml, p=0.067), CI-AKI incidence (16.7% vs. 13.4%, p=0.4), treated lesions (1.167 vs. 1.164, p=1.0) or stents used (1.214 vs. 1.168, p=0.611) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-PPCI point-of-care renal function testing did not reduce the incidence of CI-AKI in the overall group of STEMI patients. In patients with CKD, contrast dose was significantly reduced, but a numerical reduction in CI-AKI was not found to be statistically significant. No significant differences were found in the non-CKD group.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist pretreatment to MINIMISE reperfusion injury after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (the MINIMISE STEMI Trial): rationale and study design.

Novel therapies capable of reducing myocardial infarct (MI) size when administered prior to reperfusion are required to prevent the onset of heart failure in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Experimental animal studies have demonstrated that mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) therapy administered prior to reperfusion can reduce MI size, and MRA therapy prevents adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in post-MI patients with LV impairment. With these 2 benefits in mind, we hypothesize that initiating MRA therapy prior to PPCI, followed by 3 months of oral MRA therapy, will reduce MI size and prevent adverse LV remodeling in STEMI patients. The MINIMISE-STEMI trial is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that will recruit 150 STEMI patients from four centers in the United Kingdom. Patients will be randomized to receive either an intravenous bolus of MRA therapy (potassium canrenoate 200 mg) or matching placebo prior to PPCI, followed by oral spironolactone 50 mg once daily or matching placebo for 3 months. A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scan will be performed within 1 week of PPCI and repeated at 3 months to assess MI size and LV remodeling. Enzymatic MI size will be estimated by the 48-hour area-under-the-curve serum cardiac enzymes. The primary endpoint of the study will be MI size on the 3-month cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scan. The MINIMISE STEMI trial will investigate whether early MRA therapy, initiated prior to reperfusion, can reduce MI size and prevent adverse post-MI LV remodeling.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with left bundle branch block versus ST-elevation myocardial infarction referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIMS: Recent studies have suggested that a low proportion of patients presenting with left bundle branch block (LBBB) require emergency intervention. In this study, we have compared baseline clinical characteristics, angiographic findings and subsequent outcomes in patients with LBBB versus ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) referred to our tertiary centre for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: A large retrospective observational study was performed involving 1875 consecutive patients presenting to our single tertiary cardiac centre for primary PCI over a 27-month period. Patients presenting with LBBB (n=155, 8.3%) were significantly older (P<0.0001) and were more likely to be female (P<0.0001) and have a prior history of myocardial infarction (P<0.0001) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (P=0.005). Rates of acute occlusion (12.2 vs. 63%; P<0.0001) and PCI (26 vs. 83%; P<0.0001) were significantly lower in LBBB patients compared with STEMI patients. Although the 30-day mortality was similar, overall mortality during the 2 years of follow-up was significantly higher in the LBBB group compared with the STEMI group (27.8 vs. 13.9%; P=0.023). CONCLUSION: The incidence of an acutely occluded vessel is low in LBBB when compared with STEMI, but the long-term outcome is significantly worse. Patients with LBBB referred for primary PCI need better risk stratification, and further work is needed to identify potential diagnostic and management strategies.

Should primary percutaneous coronary intervention be the routine reperfusion strategy in octogenarians presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction?

AIM: Very few randomized trials have analysed the outcome of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in very elderly patients (≥80 years). An observational study was performed to evaluate the outcome of PPCI in patients of at least 80 years of age who were admitted to our unit. METHODS: We included all patients undergoing PPCI in our unit from September 2009 to November 2011. RESULTS: Of the 1471 patients who underwent PPCI during the study period, 236 (16%) were at least 80 years of age. The mean age was 85 ±â€Š4 years (range 80-99 years, median 85 years). There was a significant difference in in-hospital mortality [14.4 vs. 2.9%, odds ratio (OR) 5.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.4-9.2, P <0.0001], 30-day mortality (20.3 vs. 4%, OR 6.2, 95% CI 4.0-9.5, P <0.0001), 1-year mortality (28.8 vs. 6.2%, OR 6.1, 95% CI 4.2-8.8, P <0.0001), 30-day stent thrombosis (1.7 vs. 0.4%, OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.1-15.9, P = 0.04) and non-coronary artery bypass grafting major bleed (5.9 vs. 3%, OR 2, 95% CI 1.1-3.8, P = 0.03) between patients aged at least 80 years and those less than 80 years. CONCLUSION: The mortality in our patients of at least 80 years was similar to the previously published data, despite the advances in PPCI procedures. Considering the increasing number of octogenarian patients with STEMI at the present time, there is a need for a randomized trial to compare the different treatment strategies for STEMI.

Impact of a chronic total occlusion in a non-infarct related artery on clinical outcomes following primary percutaneous intervention in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

AIMS: We aimed to assess the impact of a non-infarct related artery (IRA) chronic total occlusion (CTO) on clinical outcomes following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a real-world cohort of patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a retrospective observational study of 1435 patients treated at a large single tertiary cardiac center providing a high-volume PPCI service. Patients with coexisting CTO (4.7%) were significantly more likely to have presented in cardiogenic shock and less likely to achieve TIMI 2/3 flow in the IRA post procedure resulting in lower ejection fraction and higher peak troponin-T levels. A concurrent CTO in a non-IRA was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (16.4% vs 3.1%; P<.001), 30-day mortality (19.4% vs 5.9%; P<.001) and long-term mortality (23.9% vs 12.2%; P=.01). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of a non-IRA CTO was independently predictive of mortality at 30 days (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-8.1) but not for long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: The presence of a coexisting CTO in patients undergoing PPCI for STEMI is associated with adverse clinical outcomes; further work is required to improve prognosis in these patients, which may include early staged revascularization of the non-IRA CTO.

Typical takotsubo cardiomyopathy in suspected ST elevation myocardial infarction patients admitted for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

AIM: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is increasingly being recognised in patients admitted with suspected acute coronary syndrome, as access to angiography and echocardiography is much quicker than before. We aimed to analyse the prevalence of typical TCM in patients admitted for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) with suspected ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to a single tertiary centre in United Kingdom. METHODS: All patients admitted to our unit with suspected STEMI from September 2009 to November 2011 were included for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 1875 patients admitted, 17 patients (all female) with mean age of 69±11.9 yrs were identified to have clinical features of typical TCM, thus giving an overall prevalence of 0.9% in PPCI admissions (3.2% prevalence in women). The admission ECG showed ST elevation in 14 patients (82%) and 3 had LBBB (18%). In the 16 patients who had raised hs Troponin (normal range <14), the mean level was 921±668 (median 778, range 110 to 2550) ng/L. Two patients survived cardiac arrest and one had apical thrombus on presentation. Left ventricular function was severely impaired (EF ≤30%) in 2 patients, whilst it was moderately impaired (EF 31-50%) in others. During a mean follow-up period of 22±7 months (range 8-36 months), there was no mortality or recurrence. CONCLUSION: This is the first observational study to report the prevalence of typical TCM in patients admitted for PPCI in "real-world" practice. Though this condition is not benign during the acute episode, there is a good survival outcome if managed appropriately during the acute phase.

Clinical outcomes with a new trifocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual and refractive outcomes, contrast sensitivity, and quality of vision after cataract surgery with the implantation of a new modality of trifocal intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: This case series comprised 30 patients who had bilateral implantation of the AT.LISA tri 839 MP trifocal IOL after phacoemulsification for either cataract or refractive lens exchange surgery. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected monocular distance visual acuity (CDVA) using a logMAR chart, binocular uncorrected (UNVA) and corrected near visual acuity (CNVA) (40 cm and patients' preferred distance) using the Radner Reading Charts, distance-corrected intermediate visual acuity (DCIVA) (70 cm), a binocular defocus curve, contrast sensitivity (CS) with the Pelli-Robson test, and subjective quality of vision by a short questionnaire were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 6 months, mean values of 0.05 ± 0.07 and -0.02 ± 0.05 logMAR were obtained for monocular UDVA and CDVA, respectively. Mean values of 0.16 ± 0.07, 0.12 ± 0.07, and 0.16 ± 0.07 logRAD were obtained for binocular UNVA, CNVA, and DCIVA, respectively. Significant changes were only detected in monocular CDVA (p<0.01) and UDVA that improved between 3 and 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.01). A visual acuity level of 0.2 logRAD could be seen in binocular defocus curves between +1.00 and -3.00 D. At 6 months, mean photopic and mesopic CS were 1.52 ± 0.11 and 1.54 ± 0.11. Regarding the questionnaire, almost all patients were satisfied with their distance, intermediate, and near vision. Difficulties associated with photic phenomena decreased significantly over time. CONCLUSIONS: The AT.LISA trifocal IOL provides excellent uncorrected distance, intermediate, and near visual outcomes.

Comparison of bivalirudin with heparin versus abciximab with heparin for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in "Real World" practice.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to carry out a "real world" comparison of bivalirudin plus unfractionated heparin (UFH) versus abciximab plus UFH in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) for ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: We included patients who had abciximab or bivalirudin during their PPCI in our unit between Sept 2009 and Nov 2011. RESULTS: The study included 516 and 484 patients in the bivalirudin and abciximab group respectively. There were more women in the bivalirudin group (29% vs 20%, p 0.001), while cardiogenic shock (6.4% vs 10.1%, p 0.04) and thrombectomy device use (76.6% vs 82%, p 0.04) were lower in the bivalirudin group. The primary composite end point of 30-day mortality, 30-day definite stent thrombosis or non-CABG major bleeding was similar between the bivalirudin and abciximab groups (7.8% vs 9.5%, OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.2, p 0.4). There was also no difference in in-hospital mortality (4.1% vs 4.3%, p 0.9), 30-day mortality (5.2% vs 6.4%, p 0.5), 1-year mortality (9.1% vs 9.9%, p 0.7), 30-day stent thrombosis (1% vs 0.4%, p 0.5) and non-CABG bleeding (2.7 vs 3.7%, p 0.4) between the bivalirudin and abciximab group respectively. On Cox proportional hazard analysis after adjusting for all the co-variates, the use of bivalirudin was not a predictor of 30-day mortality (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.7-1.9, p 0.7). CONCLUSION: In this "real-world" observational study, there was no significant difference in the clinical outcome of PPCI for patients who had abciximab or bivalirudin after initial pre-treatment with UFH.

The advantages of a consultant led primary percutaneous coronary intervention service on patient outcome.

BACKGROUND: Mortality among emergency medical admissions has been reported to be higher when patients are admitted to hospital at nights and weekends. AIM: We studied the outcome of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients presenting at different times to our centre with 24/7 primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) service. METHODS: We divided all patients who underwent PPCI between September 2009 and November 2011 into three groups according to the time of admission as group 1: in-hours (0800-1800 h weekdays), group 2: out-of-hours (1800- 0800 h weekdays) and group 3: weekends (Sat to Mon 0800-0800 h). RESULTS: A total of 605 (41.1%), 397 (27%) and 469 (31.9%) were included in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Apart from cardiogenic shock (8.9%, 5.5% and 7.7%, P = 0.05) and door to balloon time (median 29, 33 and 36 min, P < 0.0001), there was no significant difference noted in the baseline and procedural characteristics between the groups. In-hospital mortality (4.6%, 4.3% and 5.3%, P = 0.5), 30-day mortality (6.4%, 6.3% and 7%, P = 0.7), 30-day stent thrombosis (0.8%, 0.8% and 0.2%, P = 0.1) and 1-year mortality (10.7%, 10.8% and 9.8%, P = 0.7) were no difference between the groups. On logistic regression analysis, out-of-hours and weekend admissions were not found to be a predictor of both 30-day and 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: In this consecutive series of patients admitted to a high volume PPCI centre, there was no difference in mortality when patients were admitted at different times. The involvement of senior medical staff early in the patients' admission may have contributed to these consistent outcomes.

Rosuvastatin calcium in acute coronary syndromes.

INTRODUCTION: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction using 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) has a proven survival benefit in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Patients presenting with ACS remain at significant risk of subsequent cardiovascular death and non-fatal myocardial infarction despite high compliance with current guideline indicated secondary prevention therapies. There remains, therefore, a need to consider the potential benefits of more intensive LDL-C lowering after presentation with ACS. Rosuvastatin is the most potent of the currently available statins and has some unique pharmacological properties that may be advantageous in such patients. AREAS COVERED: We conducted a Medline literature search to identify rosuvastatin papers and papers on statin use in ACS published in English. In this review, we outline the pharmacology of rosuvastatin and examine its efficacy and safety. We also evaluate the published trials of statin therapy in ACS and offer an opinion on the use of rosuvastatin in ACS. EXPERT OPINION: There is adequate clinical trial evidence confirming the LDL-C lowering efficacy and safety of high-dose rosuvastatin in ACS. Whilst there are sound theoretical reasons to consider early use of high-dose rosuvastatin in ACS, the available level of evidence is insufficient to justify a wholesale change from the current standard of care.