Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance May Avoid Unnecessary Coronary Angiography in Patients With Unexplained Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction: A Retrospective Diagnostic Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary angiography (CA) is usually performed in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) to search ischemic cardiomyopathy. Our aim was to examine the agreement between CA and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging among a cohort of patients with unexplained reduced LVEF, and estimate what would have been the consequences of using CMR imaging as the first-line examination. METHODS: Three hundred five patients with unexplained reduced LVEF of ≤45% who underwent both CA and CMR imaging were retrospectively registered. Patients were classified as CMR+ or CMR- according to presence or absence of myocardial ischemic scar, and classified CA+ or CA- according to presence or absence of significant coronary artery disease. RESULTS: CMR+ (n = 89) included all 54 CA+ patients, except 2 with distal coronary artery disease in whom no revascularization was proposed. Among the 247 CA- patients, 15% were CMR+. CMR imaging had 96% sensitivity, 85% specificity, 99% negative predictive value, and 58% positive predictive value for detecting CA+ patients. Revascularization was performed in 6.5% of the patients (all CMR+). Performing CA only for CMR+ patients would have decreased the number of CAs by 71%. CONCLUSIONS: In reduced LVEF, performing CA only in CMR+ patients may significantly decrease the number of unnecessary CAs performed, without missing any patients requiring revascularization.

Impact of Mixed Aortic Valve Stenosis on VARC-2 Outcomes and Postprocedural Aortic Regurgitation in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Results From the International Multicentric Study PRAGMATIC (Pooled Rotterdam-Milan-Toulouse in Collaboration).

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate the impact of mixed aortic stenosis (MAS) on postprocedural aortic regurgitation (PPAR) and clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). BACKGROUND: The impact of MAS of TAVI outcomes is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from a multicenter registry were retrospectively analysed. Outcomes were compared between patients with pure aortic stenosis (PAS; associated AR<1+/3+) and MAS (associated AR≥1+/3+). Study objectives were PPAR incidence and short- and long-term mortality. Overall, 1,062 patients were included: 419 (39.4%) with MAS and 643 (60.5%) with PAS. At 30 days, there were no differences in mortality, however, a higher incidence of major bleeding (22.7% vs. 16.8%; P=0.016), PPAR≥1+/3+ (42.6% vs. 26.5%; P<0.001) and lower device success (89.3% vs. 93.3%; P=0.019) was observed in patients with MAS. Of note, MAS was an independent predictor of PPAR≥1+/3+ at multivariable analysis (OR: 2.882; CI: 1.851-4.488; P<0.001). At 2 years of follow-up, no survival differences were present between MAS and PAS groups. Similarly, following stratification for PPAR≥1+/3+, MAS had no protective effect on survival as compared with PAS. CONCLUSIONS: MAS was associated with lower device success and higher PPAR incidence. However, despite these findings, it had no influence on long-term postoperative outcomes.

Profile of patients hospitalized in intensive cardiac care units in France: ADDICT-ICCU registry.

BACKGROUND: Intensive cardiac care units (ICCU) were initially developed to monitor ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction. In recent decades, ICCU have diversified their activities. AIM: To determine the type of patients hospitalized in ICCU in France. METHODS: We analysed the characteristics of patients enrolled in the ADDICT-ICCU registry (NCT05063097), a prospective study of consecutive patients admitted to ICCU in 39 centres throughout France from 7th-22nd April 2021. In-hospital major adverse events (MAE) (death, resuscitated cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock) were recorded. RESULTS: Among 1499 patients (median age 65 [interquartile range 54-74] years, 69.6% male, 21.7% diabetes mellitus, 64.7% current or previous smokers), 34.9% had a history of coronary artery disease, 11.7% atrial fibrillation and 5.2% cardiomyopathy. The most frequent reason for admission to ICCU was acute coronary syndromes (ACS; 51.5%), acute heart failure (AHF; 14.1%) and unexplained chest pain (6.8%). An invasive procedure was performed in 36.2%. "Advanced" ICCU therapies were required for 19.9% of patients (intravenous diuretics 18.4%, non-invasive ventilation 6.1%, inotropic drugs 2.3%). No invasive procedures or advanced therapies were required in 44.1%. Cardiac computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was carried out in 12.3% of patients. The median length of ICCU hospitalization was 2.0 (interquartile range 1.0-4.0) days. The mean rate of MAE was 4.5%, and was highest in patients with AHF (10.4%). CONCLUSIONS: ACS remains the main cause of admissions to ICCU, with most having a low rate of in-hospital MAE. Most patients experience a brief stay in ICCU before being discharged home. AHF is associated with highest death rate and with higher resource consumption.

TAPSE/sPAP prognostic value for In-Hospital Adverse Events in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Coronary Syndrome.

AIMS: Although several studies have shown that the right ventricular to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling, assessed by the ratio between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (TAPSE/sPAP) using echocardiography, is strongly associated with cardiovascular events, its prognostic value is not established in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We aimed to assess the in-hospital prognostic value of TAPSE/sPAP among patients hospitalized for ACS in a retrospective analysis from the prospective ADDICT-ICCU study. METHODS AND RESULTS: 481 consecutive patients hospitalized in intensive cardiac care unit (mean age 65±13 years, 73% of male, 46% STEMI) for ACS (either ST-elevation [STEMI] or non-ST-elevation [NSTEMI] myocardial infarction) with TAPSE/sPAP available were included in this prospective French multicentric study (39 centers). The primary outcome was in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) defined as all-cause death, resuscitated cardiac arrest or cardiogenic shock and occurred in 33 (7%) patients. ROC-curve analysis identified 0.55 mm/mmHg as the best TAPSE/sPAP cut-off to predict in-hospital MACEs. TAPSE/sPAP <0.55 was associated with in-hospital MACEs, even after adjustment with comorbidities (OR:19.1, 95%CI[7.78-54.8]), clinical severity including left ventricular ejection fraction (OR:14.4, 95%CI[5.70-41.7]) and propensity-matched population analysis (OR:22.8, 95%CI[7.83-97.2], all p<0.001). After adjustment, TAPSE/sPAP <0.55 showed the best improvement in model discrimination and reclassification above traditional prognosticators (C-statistic improvement: 0.16; global chi-square improvement: 52.8; LR-test p<0.001) with similar results for both STEMI and NSTEMI subgroups. CONCLUSION: A low RV-PA coupling defined as TAPSE/sPAP ratio <0.55 was independently associated with in-hospital MACEs and provided incremental prognostic value over traditional prognosticators in patients hospitalized for ACS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05063097.

Multicentre medicoeconomic evaluation of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for predicting coronary artery disease in left ventricular dysfunction: The CAMAREC study design.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may provide a non-invasive alternative to coronary angiography for differentiating between ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy in cases of unexplained reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. AIM: The CAMAREC study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in predicting significant coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, using coronary angiography as the gold standard for comparison. METHODS: CAMAREC is a prospective cohort study of 406 patients in 10 centres with newly diagnosed, unexplained left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 45%. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and coronary angiography will be conducted within a 2-week interval, starting with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; independent committees will review the results blindly. Primary outcome is sensitivity of detecting ischaemic scar on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for predicting significant coronary artery disease on coronary angiography according to Felker's criteria. Secondary outcomes include specificity and positive and negative predictive values (with 95% confidence intervals) of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for predicting significant coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, kappa concordance coefficient between cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and coronary angiography for diagnosing the affected myocardial territory, and the impact of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging on revascularization decisions. Two ancillary studies will evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging first versus coronary angiography first, and the sensitivity of pre- and postcontrast T1-mapping for predicting significant coronary artery disease in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: Our study protocol is designed to rigorously evaluate cardiac magnetic resonance imaging as a non-invasive alternative to coronary angiography in patients with unexplained reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. The results will have significant implications for patient management, and may support growing evidence for the clinical utility of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Prevalence of psychoactive drug use in patients hospitalized for acute cardiac events: Rationale and design of the ADDICT-ICCU trial, from the Emergency and Acute Cardiovascular Care Working Group and the National College of Cardiologists in Training of the French Society of Cardiology.

BACKGROUND: Psychoactive drugs, including illicit drugs, are associated with an increased rate of cardiovascular events. The prevalence and outcome of patients using these drugs at the time of admission to an intensive cardiac care unit is unknown. AIM: To assess the prevalence of psychoactive drugs detected in consecutive patients hospitalized in an intensive cardiac care unit for an acute cardiovascular event. METHODS: This is a nationwide prospective multicentre study, involving 39 centres throughout France, including all consecutive patients hospitalized in an intensive cardiac care unit within 2weeks. Psychoactive drug use will be assessed systematically by urine drug assay within 2hours of intensive cardiac care unit admission, to detect illicit (cannabinoids, cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, heroin and other opioids) and non-illicit (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, methadone and buprenorphine) psychoactive drugs. Smoking will be investigated systematically by exhaled carbon monoxide measurement, and alcohol consumption using a standardized questionnaire. In-hospital major adverse events, including death, resuscitated cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock, will be recorded. After discharge, all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events will be recorded systematically and adjudicated at 12months of follow-up. RESULTS: The primary outcome will be the prevalence of psychoactive drugs detected by systematic screening among all patients hospitalized in an intensive cardiac care unit. The in-hospital major adverse events will be analysed according to the presence or absence of detected psychoactive drugs. Subgroup analysis stratified by initial clinical presentation and type of psychoactive drug will be performed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective multicentre study to assess the prevalence of psychoactive drugs detected by systematic screening in consecutive patients hospitalized for acute cardiovascular events.

Impact of permanent pacemaker on mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: the PRAGMATIC (Pooled Rotterdam-Milan-Toulouse in Collaboration) Pacemaker substudy.

AIMS: We sought to evaluate the impact of permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation on two-year mortality and one-year left ventricular ejection fraction recovery (∆LVEFR=one-year LVEF-baseline LVEF) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We pooled patient-level data from four European institutions with significant TAVI volume. Outcomes were compared between patients without PPM (no-PPM), patients with PPM prior to TAVI (old-PPM) and patients with PPM implanted after TAVI (new-PPM). Out of 1,062 patients included in the pooled data set, 783 (73.7%) were in the no-PPM group, 164 (15.4%) in the new-PPM group and 115 (10.8%) in the old-PPM group. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality at two years were similar for patients with no-PPM and new-PPM (adjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI: 0.74-1.67; p=0.62; and adjusted HR 1.16, 95% CI: 0.68-1.98; p=0.59). Conversely, old-PPM was associated with increased risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular mortality vs. no-PPM. By multivariable analysis new-PPM did not affect LVEFR, while old-PPM did. We observed a multiplicative interaction, between new-PPM and post-procedural aortic regurgitation ≥1+ on two-year mortality and one-year LVEFR, with increased risk of death and impaired LVEFR in patients with new-PPM and post-procedural aortic regurgitation (PPAR) ≥1+ (both pinteraction<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing TAVI, the presence of a PPM at baseline yielded a negative effect on long-term prognosis while new-PPM did not. The combination of new-PPM with PPAR adversely impacts on survival and LV function recovery.