Epidemiology, reperfusion management, and outcomes of patients with myocardial infarction in Greece: The ILIAKTIS study.

OBJECTIVE: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of death; however, updated data regarding clinical presentation and current management are missing in Greece. This study aimed to prospectively record the demographic and clinical characteristics of a representative sample of patients suffering from AMI, their management, and short-term outcomes. METHODS: ILIAKTIS is a national, prospective, multicenter, noninterventional study conducted under the auspices of Hellenic Society of Cardiology (HCS) and the European Initiative Stent - Save a Life. From 1st April 2020 to 30th June 2020, consecutive adult patients with STEMI or NSTEMI were enrolled in the 50 participating hospitals, appropriately selected to match the geographical and population distribution in the Greek territory. RESULTS: In total, 1862 patients (mean age: 64.2 ± 13.2 yrs.; 77.2% males) with AMI were enrolled. More patients presented with NSTEMI (56.8%) than with STEMI (43.2%). Primary PCI (pPCI) was the preferable treatment option for STEMI patients in PCI-hospitals (76.9% vs. 39.9% for non-PCI, p < .001) and thrombolysis in non-PCI-hospitals (47.3% vs. 17.9% for PCI-hospitals, p < .001). The mean length of hospital stay was 5.6 days. In-hospital mortality was less likely in NSTEMI compared to that in STEMI patients (aOR = 0.30; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.49). Patients initially admitted in non-PCI-hospitals showed increased risk for in-hospital (aOR = 2.29; 95% CI 1.20 to 4.42) and 30-day mortality (aOR = 1.88; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.96). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the proportion of STEMI and NSTEMI patients managed interventionally has significantly increased, resulting in better clinical outcomes compared to previous Greek surveys.

Long-term effects of levosimendan infusion on inflammatory processes and sFas in patients with severe heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The calcium sensitizer levosimendan improves myocardial contractility in patients with heart failure, although its effects on inflammation and apoptosis are unknown. AIM: To examine the effects of levosimendan on markers of inflammation and apoptosis, over a period of 30 d following a 24 h infusion, in patients with heart failure. METHODS: Thirty four patients with severe heart failure were randomised to receive a 24 h infusion of levosimendan or placebo, in a double-blind trial. Haemodynamic evaluation and blood sampling were performed at baseline, 24 h, 30 h, 48 h, 7 d and 30 d after the end of the infusion. RESULTS: Seven patients (1 levosimendan, 6 placebo), were excluded during follow-up. In the remaining 27 patients, levosimendan decreased serum IL-6 and sFAS, 24 h after the infusion (p<0.01 and p<0.05 vs baseline), an effect sustained for 7-30 d. Serum TNF-alpha and sTNF-R1 were decreased between 48 h (p<0.01 vs baseline for both) and 7 d (p<0.05 vs baseline for sTNF-R1) after infusion. Serum sTNF-R2 was decreased at 24 h (p<0.05 vs baseline) and remained lower than baseline for at least 7 d (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that levosimendan decreases the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha receptors and sFAS, immediately after infusion, an effect which persists for 7-30 d.