Ultrasound Guidance for Transradial Access in the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although ultrasound (US) guidance for vascular access has been widely adopted, its use for transradial access (TRA) in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory is rare. There is a perception that US guidance does not offer a clinically relevant benefit over traditional palpation-guided TRA, amplified by inconsistent findings of individual studies. METHOD: A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library identified studies comparing US to palpation-guided TRA for cardiac catheterisation. Studies evaluating radial artery (RA) cannulation for any other reason were excluded. Event rates and risk ratios (RRs) were pooled for meta-analysis. Access failure was the primary outcome. A random-effects model was used for analysis. RESULTS: Of the 977 records screened, four studies with a total of 1,718 patients (861 US-guided and 864 palpation-guided procedures) were included in the meta-analysis. Most procedures were elective. The pooled analysis showed US guidance significantly lowered the risk of access failure (RR 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21-0.97; p=0.04). Heterogeneity was moderate (I2=51.2%; p=0.105). There was a strong trend to improved first-pass success with US (RR 1.29; 95% CI 1.00-1.66; p=0.05; I2=83.8%), although no differences were found in rates of difficult access (RR 0.29; 95% CI 0.07-1.18; p=0.09; I2=88.3%). Salvage US guidance was successful in 30/41 (73.2%) patients following failed palpation-guided TRA. No differences were found in already low complication rates including RA spasm (RR 1.18; 95% CI 0.70-1.99; p=0.53; I2=0.0%) and bleeding (RR 1.32; 95% CI 0.46-3.80; p=0.60; I2=0.0%). CONCLUSIONS: US guidance was found to improve TRA success in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. Further investigation is necessary to determine whether routine, selective, or salvage use of US confers the most RA protection, patient satisfaction, and overall clinical benefit. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022332238).

Trends and Real-World Safety of Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Symptomatic Stable Ischaemic Heart Disease in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in stable ischaemic heart disease (SIHD) has not been shown to improve prognosis but can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Appropriately selected patients with symptoms refractory to medical therapy therefore stand to benefit, provided safety is proven. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing PCI for SIHD between 2005-2018 in a prospective registry were included. Yearly comparisons evaluated trends, and a sub-analysis was performed comparing proximal left anterior descending artery (prox-LAD) to other-than-proximal LAD (non-pLAD) PCI. Outcomes included peri-procedural characteristics, in-hospital and 30-day event rates including MACE, and 5-year National Death Index (NDI) linked mortality. RESULTS: There were 9,421 procedures included. Over time, patients were increasingly co-morbid and had higher rates of AHA/ACC class B2/C lesions, ostial stenoses, bifurcation lesions, and chronic total occlusions (all p-for-trend ≤0.001). Over 14 years, major bleeding reduced (1.05% in 2005/06 vs 0.29% in 2017/18, p-for-trend <0.001), while other in-hospital and 30-day event rates were stably low. There were only seven (0.07%) in hospital deaths and 5-year mortality was 10.3%. No differences were found in outcomes between patients who underwent prox-LAD compared to non-pLAD PCI. Major independent predictors of NDI linked all-cause mortality included an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (HR 4.06, 95% CI 3.26-5.06), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.89-2.67) and LVEF <30% (HR 2.13, 95% CI 1.57-2.89). CONCLUSIONS: Although patient and procedural complexity increased over time, a high degree of procedural success and safety was maintained, including in those undergoing prox-LAD PCI. These real-world data can enhance shared decision making discussions regarding whether PCI should be pursued in patients with symptomatic SIHD refractory to medical therapy.

Absolute risk assessment for guiding cardiovascular risk management in a chest pain clinic.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of a pro-active, absolute cardiovascular risk-guided approach to opportunistically modifying cardiovascular risk factors in patients without coronary ischaemia attending a chest pain clinic. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, open label, blinded endpoint study. SETTING: The rapid access chest pain clinic of Royal Hobart Hospital, a tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who presented to the chest pain clinic between 1 July 2014 and 31 December 2017 who had intermediate to high absolute cardiovascular risk scores (5-year risk ≥ 8%). Patients with known cardiac disease or from groups with clinically determined high risk of cardiovascular disease were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was change in 5-year absolute risk score (Australian absolute risk calculator) at follow-up (at least 12 months after baseline assessment). Secondary endpoints were changes in lipid profile, blood pressure, smoking status, and body mass index, and major adverse cardiovascular events. RESULTS: The mean change in risk at follow-up was +0.4 percentage points (95% CI, -0.8 to 1.5 percentage points) for the 98 control group patients and -2.4 percentage points (95% CI, -1.5 to -3.4 percentage points) for the 91 intervention group patients; the between-group difference in change was 2.7 percentage points (95% CI, 1.2-4.1 percentage points). Mean changes in lipid profile, systolic blood pressure, and smoking status were larger for the intervention group, but not statistically different from those for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: An absolute cardiovascular risk-guided, pro-active risk factor management strategy employed opportunistically in a chest pain clinic significantly improved 5-year absolute cardiovascular risk scores. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, ACTRN12617000615381 (retrospective).

Evaluating the benefits of a rapid access chest pain clinic in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the outcomes and safety of a rapid access chest pain clinic (RACPC) in Australia with those of a general cardiology clinic. DESIGN: Prospective comparison of the outcomes for patients attending an RACPC and those of historical controls. SETTING: Royal Hobart Hospital cardiology outpatient department. PARTICIPANTS: 1914 patients referred for outpatient evaluation of new onset chest pain (1479 patients seen in the RACPC, 435 patients previously seen in the general cardiology clinic). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Service outcomes (review times, number of clinic reviews); adverse events (unplanned emergency department re-attendances at 30 days and 12 months; major adverse cardiovascular events at 12 months, including unplanned revascularisation, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, cardiac death). RESULTS: Median time to review was shorter for RACPC than for usual care patients (12 days [IQR, 8-15 days] v 45 days [IQR, 27-89 days]). All patients seen in the RACPC received a diagnosis at the first clinic visit, but only 139 patients in the usual care group (32.0%). There were fewer unplanned emergency department re-attendances for patients in the RACPC group at 30 days (1.6% v 4.4%) and 12 months (5.7% v 12.9%) than in the control group. Major adverse cardiovascular events were less frequent among patients evaluated in the RACPC (0.2% v 1.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients were evaluated more efficiently in the RACPC than in a traditional cardiology clinic, and their subsequent rates of emergency department re-attendances and adverse cardiovascular events were lower.

Direct access colonoscopy: impact of intervention on time to colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment in North West Tasmania.

BACKGROUND: Direct access colonoscopy (DAC) allows general practitioners to refer directly for colonoscopy, without specialist review. Research suggests DAC reduces times to diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. However, there is no information about outcomes of DAC in Australia. AIM: To determine if DAC in North West Tasmania expedited colorectal diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Pre-post intervention study evaluating time from referral to diagnosis and definitive treatment. Patient demographic characteristics, referral, colonoscopy and treatment information was retrieved from hospital records. Timelines were investigated in standard referrals (SR), emergency department/inpatient referrals and DAC using survival analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred and six colorectal cancer cases were identified (117 SR, 26 DAC, 48 emergency department/inpatient and 15 unknown pathways). Median time to colonoscopy/diagnosis (DAC 6 weeks vs SR 7 weeks, P = 0.55) or definitive treatment (surgery/chemoradiation) (DAC 8 weeks vs SR 9 weeks, P = 0.81) was not significantly improved with DAC. Among SR only, time to diagnosis was 9 weeks pre-intervention versus 5 weeks post-intervention (P = 0.13), and time to treatment was 11 weeks pre-intervention versus 6 weeks post-intervention (P = 0.07). CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant improvement in time to colorectal cancer diagnosis or treatment among patients referred through DAC compared to SR. There was a trend towards improved waiting times for SR concurrent with the introduction of the DAC pathway, indicating improvement of all referral processes. DAC may not be effective at expediting colorectal cancer diagnosis if it is not accompanied by strict referral guidelines. Larger evaluations of DAC are required in the Australian context.

Real-world long-term survival after non-emergent percutaneous coronary intervention to unprotected left main coronary artery - From the Melbourne Interventional Group (MIG) registry.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence suggests that percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery disease (LMPCI) in selected patients is a safe alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting. However, real-world long-term survival data is limited. METHODS: We analyzed 24,644 patients from the MIG (Melbourne Interventional Group) registry between 2005 and 2020. We compared baseline clinical and procedural characteristics, in-hospital and 30-day outcomes, and long-term survival between unprotected LMPCI and non-LMPCI among patients without ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, or cardiac arrest. RESULTS: Unprotected LMPCI patients (n = 185) were significantly older (mean age 72.0 vs. 64.6 years, p < 0.001), had higher prevalence of impaired ejection fraction (EF <50 %; 27.3 % vs. 14.9 %, p < 0.001) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 (40.9 % vs. 21.5 %, p < 0.001), and had greater use of intravascular ultrasound (21 % vs. 1 %, p < 0.001) and drug-eluting stents (p < 0.001). LMPCI was associated with longer hospital stay (4 days vs. 2 days, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in other in-hospital outcomes, 30-day mortality (0.6 % vs. 0.6 %, p = 0.90), and major adverse cardiac events (1.7 % vs. 3 %, p = 0.28). Although the unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival to 8 years was significantly less with LMPCI compared to non-LMPCI (p < 0.01), LMPCI was not a predictor of long-term survival up to 8 years after Cox regression analysis (HR 0.67, 95 % CI 0.40-1.13, p = 0.13). CONCLUSION: In this study, non-emergent unprotected LMPCI was uncommonly performed, and IVUS was underutilized. Despite greater co-morbidities, LMPCI patients had comparable 30-day outcomes to non-LMPCI, and LMPCI was not an independent predictor of long-term mortality.

Graft Patency and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Radial Artery Grafts Previously Instrumented for Cardiac Catheterization.

BACKGROUND: While transradial access is favored for cardiac catheterization, the radial artery (RA) is increasingly preferred for coronary artery bypass grafting. Whether the RA is suitable for use as a graft following instrumentation for transradial access remains uncertain. METHODS: Consecutive patients from 2015 to 2019 who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting using both the left and right RAs as grafts were included. Instrumented RAs underwent careful preoperative assessment for suitability. The clinical analysis was stratified by whether patients received an instrumented RA graft (instrumented versus noninstrumented groups). Eligible patients with both instrumented and noninstrumented RAs underwent computed tomography coronary angiography to evaluate graft patency. The primary outcome was a within-patient paired analysis of graft patency comparing instrumented to noninstrumented RA grafts. RESULTS: Of the 1123 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, 294 had both the left and right RAs used as grafts and were included. There were 126 and 168 patients in the instrumented and noninstrumented groups, respectively. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were comparable. The rate of major adverse cardiac events at 2 years following coronary artery bypass grafting was 2.4% in the instrumented group and 5.4% in the noninstrumented group (hazard ratio, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.12-1.61]; P=0.19). There were 50 patients included in the graft patency analysis. At a median follow-up of 4.3 (interquartile range, 3.7-4.5) years, 40/50 (80%) instrumented and 41/50 (82%) noninstrumented grafts were patent (odds ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.29-2.52]; P>0.99). No significant differences were observed in the luminal diameter or cross-sectional area of the instrumented and noninstrumented RA grafts. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence found in this study that RA graft patency was affected by prior transradial access, and the use of an instrumented RA was not associated with worse outcomes in the exploratory clinical analysis. Although conduits must be carefully selected, prior transradial access should not be considered an absolute contraindication to the use of the RA as a bypass graft. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/; Unique identifier: ACTRN12621000257864.

Characteristics of Radial Artery Coronary Bypass Graft Failure and Outcomes Following Subsequent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: When patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), targeting the native vessel is preferred. Studies informing such recommendations are based predominantly on saphenous vein graft (SVG) PCI. There are few data regarding arterial graft intervention, particularly to a radial artery (RA) graft. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report the characteristics of arterial graft stenoses and evaluate the feasibility of RA PCI. METHODS: This study included 2,780 consecutive patients with prior CABG undergoing PCI between 2005 and 2018 who were prospectively enrolled in the MIG (Melbourne Interventional Group) registry. Data were stratified by PCI target vessel. RA graft PCI was compared with both native vessel (native PCI) and SVG PCI. Internal mammary graft PCI data were reported. The primary outcome was 3-year mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 1,928 patients (69.4%) underwent native PCI, 716 (25.6%) SVG PCI, 86 (3.1%) RA PCI, and 50 (1.8%) internal mammary graft PCI. Compared with SVG PCI, the RA PCI cohort presented earlier after CABG, less frequently had acute coronary syndrome, and more commonly had ostial or distal anastomosis intervention (P < 0.005 for all). Compared with patients who underwent native PCI, those who underwent RA PCI were more likely to have diabetes and peripheral vascular disease (P < 0.001 for both) and to present with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (P = 0.010). The RA PCI group had no perforations or in-hospital myocardial infarctions, though no significant difference was found in periprocedural outcomes compared with either native or SVG PCI. No differences were found between RA PCI and either native or SVG PCI in 30-day outcomes or 3-year mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Presenting and lesion characteristics differed between patients undergoing arterial compared with SVG PCI, implying a varied pathogenesis of graft stenosis. RA PCI appears feasible, safe, and where anatomically suitable, may be a viable alternative to native PCI.

Reperfusion Times and Outcomes in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Presenting Without Pre-Hospital Notification.

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is recommended within 90 min of first medical contact. Those without pre-hospital notification (PN) are less likely to meet reperfusion targets and are an understudied subset of the STEMI population. METHODS: An observational cohort study from a multicentre PCI registry of consecutive patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI between 2012 and 2017. Exclusion criteria included out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, prior thrombolysis, symptom onset >12 h prior, and cardiogenic shock. RESULTS: 2519 patients were included: 1392 (55.3%) without PN (no-PN group) and 1127 (44.7%) with PN (PN group). Those without PN had longer median DTBT (78 min vs 51 min, p < 0.001) and STBT (206 min vs 161 min, p < 0.001), with only 55% meeting DTBT targets out-of-hours in the no-PN group. No-PN patients had lower rates of AHA/ACC type B2/C lesions, GP IIb/IIIa use, aspiration thrombectomy and had smaller stent diameter (all p ≤ 0.003), suggesting smaller areas of ischemic myocardium. There were no significant differences in 30-day MACE (no-PN 5.6% vs PN 6.5%, p = 0.36) or long-term National Death Index linked mortality (no-PN 6.2% vs PN 7.9%, p = 0.09). Lack of PN did not independently predict long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: Despite comparably excellent outcomes overall, those without PN had longer ischemic times and were less likely to meet DTBT targets, especially after hours. Ischemic times may be a better evaluation of PN networks than hard clinical outcomes, and efficient systems of care tailored to the individual health service are essential to ensure timely reperfusion of patients with STEMI.

Meta-analysis Comparing Valve-In-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation With Self-Expanding Versus Balloon-Expandable Valves.

Valve-in-valve (ViV) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an alternative to redo-surgery in patients with failed surgical bioprostheses. It remains unclear whether outcomes vary when using either self-expanding (SE) or balloon-expandable (BE) valves. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes between SE and BE transcatheter heart valves when used for ViV TAVI. A systematic review of PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE was performed identifying studies reporting outcomes following ViV TAVI. Event rates were pooled for meta-analysis using a random-effects model. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included 30-day and 3-year mortality in addition to standard safety outcomes after the procedure as per the Valve Academic Research Consortium criteria. Nineteen studies reporting outcomes for 1,772 patients were included: 924 in the SE group and 848 patients in the BE group. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality at 12 months (SE 10.3% vs BE 12.6%, p = 0.165, I2 = 0%), or 3 years (SE 21.2% vs BE 31.2%, p = 0.407, I2 = 63.79). SE valves had lower transvalvular gradients after procedure and acute kidney injury, but higher rates of pacemaker insertion, moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation and need for ≥2 valves (all p < 0.05). There were no differences in stroke, coronary obstruction, bleeding, or vascular complications. Despite significant differences in key procedural outcomes between SE and BE valves when used for ViV TAVI, we found no difference in 12-month mortality. Tailored device selection may further reduce the risk of adverse procedural outcomes, particularly over the longer term.

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Following Noncardiac Surgery Increases Risk of Stroke.

BACKGROUND: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation is well recognized to be an adverse prognostic marker in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Whether postoperative atrial fibrillation confers an increased risk of stroke remains unclear. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the risk of stroke after postoperative atrial fibrillation in noncardiac surgery. MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were searched for articles published up to May 2019 for studies of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery that reported incidence of new atrial fibrillation and stroke. Event rates from individual studies were pooled and risk ratios (RR) were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Fourteen studies of 3,536,291 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery were included in the quantitative analysis (mean follow-up 1.4 ± 1 year). New atrial fibrillation occurred in 26,046 (0.74%), patients with a higher incidence following thoracic surgery. Stroke occurred in 279 (1.5%) and 6199 (0.4%) patients with and without postoperative atrial fibrillation, respectively. On pooled analysis, postoperative atrial fibrillation was associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke (RR 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.76-3.59), with moderate heterogeneity. The stroke risk was significantly higher with atrial fibrillation following nonthoracic, compared with thoracic, surgery (RR 3.09 vs RR 1.95; P = .01). CONCLUSION: New postoperative atrial fibrillation following noncardiac surgery was associated with a 2.5-fold increase in the risk of stroke. This risk was highest among patients undergoing nonthoracic noncardiac surgery. Given the documented efficacy of newer anticoagulants, randomized controlled trials are warranted to assess whether they can reduce the risk of stroke in these patients.

Long-term outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention to an unprotected left main coronary artery in cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: In cardiogenic shock with severe left main coronary artery stenosis (LM), limited information exists on short and longer-term outcomes. We sought to determine the outcomes of unprotected LM PCI in cardiogenic shock. METHODS: Excluding patients with previous CABG, consecutive patients undergoing PCI in cardiogenic shock from the Melbourne Intervention Group registry between 2005 and 2013 were analysed. Those post LM PCI were compared to those post non-LM PCI. Patient and procedural data were collected with 30-day and 12-month follow-up. Australian National Death Index linkage was performed for long-term mortality analysis. RESULTS: After excluding previous CABG, 18,069 procedures were performed during 1st January 2005 to 30th November 2013, 601 procedures in the setting of cardiogenic shock. Of these, 45 were performed to an isolated LM and 556 to a non-LM. Those with LM PCI were older and more likely to have a baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <45%. The in-hospital, 30-day, 12-month and long-term mortality to 9 years in cardiogenic shock after LM PCI was 64.4%, 66.7%, 73.3% and 80.0% compared to 36.5%, 36.9%, 40.5% and 46.0%, after non-LM PCI (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, LM PCI was a significant independent predictor of long-term mortality (HR1.59, 95%CI 1.00-2.53, p = 0.048). Landmark analysis of survivors to discharge found the long-term mortality of LM PCI approaches 60% compared to 27% for those with non-LM PCI (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Long-term outcomes after PCI to LM in cardiogenic shock are poor, with much of the excess in mortality occurring early. However, reasonable long-term survival was found beyond the initial high-risk period.