Prognostic Implications of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding the prognostic implications of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 13,104 patients in the nationwide Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institutes of Health, 3,083 patients with NSTEMI who underwent PCI were included in the present study. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 3 years, a composite of all-cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction, unplanned repeat revascularization, and admission for heart failure. NT-proBNP was measured at the time of initial presentation for the management of NSTEMI, and patients were divided into a low (<700 pg/mL; n=1,813) and high (≥700 pg/mL; n=1,270) NT-proBNP group. The high NT-proBNP group had a significantly higher risk of MACE, driven primarily by a higher risk of cardiac death or admission for heart failure. These results were consistent after confounder adjustment by propensity score matching and inverse probability weighting analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with NSTEMI who underwent PCI, an initial elevated NT-proBNP concentration was associated with higher risk of MACE at 3 years, driven primarily by higher risks of cardiac death or admission for heart failure. These results suggest that the initial NT-proBNP concentration may have a clinically significant prognostic value in NSTEMI patients undergoing PCI.

Preoperative cardiac troponin I as a predictor of postoperative cardiac events in patients with end stage renal disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

We investigated if elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) serum levels before non-cardiac surgery were predictors of postoperative cardiac events in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis. In total, 703 consecutive patients with ESRD undergoing dialysis who underwent non-cardiac surgery were enrolled. Preoperative cTnI serum levels were measured at least once in all patients. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), and pulmonary edema during hospitalization or within 30 days after surgery in patients with a hospitalization longer than 30 days after surgery. Postoperative cardiac events occurred in 48 (6.8%) out of 703 patients (cardiac death 1, MI 18, and pulmonary edema 33). Diabetes mellitus (DM), previous ischemic heart disease, and congestive heart failure were more common in patients with postoperative cardiac events. Peak cTnI serum levels were higher in patients with postoperative cardiac event (180 ± 420 ng/L vs. 80 ± 190 ng/L, p = 0.008), and also elevated peak cTnI levels > 45 ng/L were more common in patients with postoperative cardiac events (66.8% vs. 30.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that DM (odds ratio [OR] 2.509, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.178-5.345, p = 0.017) and serum peak cTnI levels ≥ 45 ng/L (OR 3.167, 95% CI 1.557-6.444, p = 0.001) were independent predictors for the primary outcome of cardiac death/MI/pulmonary edema. Moreover, cTnI levels ≥ 45 ng/L had an incremental prognostic value to the revised cardiac risk index (RCRI) (Chi-square = 23, p < 0.001), and to the combined RCRI and left ventricular ejection fraction (Chi-square = 12, p = 0.001). Elevated preoperative cTnI levels are predictors of postoperative cardiac events including cardiac death, MI, and pulmonary edema in patients with ESRD undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

Predictors of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation with CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of 0.

BACKGROUND: Anticoagulant therapy has been important for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it was not recommended due to its relatively higher risk of bleeding than its lower risk of stroke in patients with a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of 0. HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of stroke in AF patients with very low risk of stroke. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2020, 542 patients with non-valvular AF (NVAF) with a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of 0 followed up for at least 6 months were enrolled. Patients with only being woman as a risk factor were included as a CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of 0 in this study. The primary outcome was stroke or systemic embolism. RESULTS: The primary outcome rate was 0.78%/year. In Cox hazard model, age of ≥50 years at diagnosis (hazard ratio [HR] 6.710, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.811-24.860, p = .004), LVEDD of ≥46 mm (HR 4.513, 95% CI 1.038-19.626, p = .045), and non-paroxysmal AF (HR 5.575, 95% CI 1.621-19.175, p = .006) were identified as independent predictors of stroke or systemic embolism. Patients with all three independent predictors had a higher risk of stroke or systemic embolism (4.21%/year), whereas those without did not have a stroke or systemic embolism. CONCLUSION: The annual stroke or systemic embolism rate in NVAF patients with CHA2 DS2 -VASc score of 0 was 0.78%/year, and age at AF diagnosis, LVEDD, and non-paroxysmal AF were independent predictors of stroke or systemic embolism in patients considered to have a very low risk of stroke.

Impact of Positron Emission Tomography Viability Imaging: Guided Revascularizations on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Myocardial Scar on Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Scans.

BACKGROUND: Positron emission tomography (PET) viability scan is used to determine whether patients with a myocardial scar on single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may need revascularization. However, the clinical utility of revascularization decision-making guided by PET viability imaging has not been proven yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of PET to determine revascularization on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Between September 2012 and May 2021, 53 patients (37 males; mean age = 64 ± 11 years) with a myocardial scar on MIBI SPECT who underwent PET viability test were analyzed in this study. The primary outcome was a temporal change in echocardiographic findings. The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Viable myocardium was presented by PET imaging in 29 (54.7%) patients. Revascularization was performed in 26 (49.1%) patients, including 18 (34.0%) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 8 (15.1%) with coronary artery bypass grafting. There were significant improvements in echocardiographic findings in the revascularization group and the viable myocardium group. All-cause mortality was significantly lower in the revascularization group than in the medical therapy-alone group (19.2% vs. 44.4%, log-rank P = 0.002) irrespective of viable (21.4% vs. 46.7%, log-rank P = 0.025) or non-viable myocardium (16.7% vs. 41.7%, log-rank P = 0.046). All-cause mortality was significantly lower in the PCI group than in the medical therapy-alone group (11.1% vs. 44.4%, log-rank P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Revascularization improved left ventricular systolic function and survival of patients with a myocardial scar on SPECT scans, irrespective of myocardial viability on PET scans.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patient Delay and Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: It has been known that the fear of contagion during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) creates time delays with subsequent impact on mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, difference of time delay and clinical outcome in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-STEMI between the COVID-19 pandemic and pre-pandemic era has not been fully investigated yet in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on time delays and clinical outcome in patients with STEMI or non-STEMI compared to the same period years prior. METHODS: A total of 598 patients with STEMI (n = 195) or non-STEMI (n = 403) who underwent coronary angiography during the COVID-19 pandemic (February 1 to April 30, 2020) and pre-pandemic era (February 1 to April 30, 2017, 2018, and 2019) were analyzed in this study. Main outcomes were the incidence of time delay, cardiac arrest, and in-hospital death. RESULTS: There was 13.5% reduction in the number of patients hospitalized with AMI during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic era. In patients with STEMI, door to balloon time tended to be longer during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic era (55.7 ± 12.6 minutes vs. 60.8 ± 13.0 minutes, P = 0.08). There were no significant differences in cardiac arrest (15.6% vs. 10.4%, P = 0.397) and in-hospital mortality (15.6% vs. 10.4%, P = 0.397) between pre-pandemic and the pandemic era. In patients with non-STEMI, symptom to door time was significantly longer (310.0 ± 346.2 minutes vs. 511.5 ± 635.7 minutes, P = 0.038) and the incidence of cardiac arrest (0.9% vs. 3.5%, P = 0.017) and in-hospital mortality (0.3% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.045) was significantly greater during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic era. Among medications, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin type 2 receptor blockers (ACE-I/ARBs) were underused in STEMI (64.6% vs. 45.8%, P = 0.021) and non-STEMI (67.8% vs. 57.0%, P = 0.061) during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a considerable reduction in hospital admissions for AMI, time delay, and underuse of ACE-I/ARBs for the management of AMI, and this might be closely associated with the excess death in Korea.

Comparison of Factors Associated With Direct Versus Transferred-in Admission to Government-Designated Regional Centers Between Acute Ischemic Stroke and Myocardial Infarction in Korea.

BACKGROUND: There has been no comparison of the determinants of admission route between acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We examined whether factors associated with direct versus transferred-in admission to regional cardiocerebrovascular centers (RCVCs) differed between AIS and AMI. METHODS: Using a nationwide RCVC registry, we identified consecutive patients presenting with AMI and AIS between July 2016 and December 2018. We explored factors associated with direct admission to RCVCs in patients with AIS and AMI and examined whether those associations differed between AIS and AMI, including interaction terms between each factor and disease type in multivariable models. To explore the influence of emergency medical service (EMS) paramedics on hospital selection, stratified analyses according to use of EMS were also performed. RESULTS: Among the 17,897 and 8,927 AIS and AMI patients, 66.6% and 48.2% were directly admitted to RCVCs, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that previous coronary heart disease, prehospital awareness, higher education level, and EMS use increased the odds of direct admission to RCVCs, but the odds ratio (OR) was different between AIS and AMI (for the first 3 factors, AMI > AIS; for EMS use, AMI < AIS). EMS use was the single most important factor for both AIS and AMI (OR, 4.72 vs. 3.90). Hypertension and hyperlipidemia increased, while living alone decreased the odds of direct admission only in AMI; additionally, age (65-74 years), previous stroke, and presentation during non-working hours increased the odds only in AIS. EMS use weakened the associations between direct admission and most factors in both AIS and AMI. CONCLUSIONS: Various patient factors were differentially associated with direct admission to RCVCs between AIS and AMI. Public education for symptom awareness and use of EMS is essential in optimizing the transportation and hospitalization of patients with AMI and AIS.

Effectiveness of a new cardiac risk scoring model reclassified by QRS fragmentation as a predictor of postoperative cardiac event in patients with severe renal dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to evaluate the risk of patients with severe renal dysfunction before surgery due to various limitations despite high postoperative cardiac events. This study aimed to investigate the value of a newly reclassified Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) that incorporates QRS fragmentation (fQRS) as a predictor of postoperative cardiac events in patients with severe renal dysfunction. METHODS: Among the patients with severe renal dysfunction, 256 consecutive patients who underwent both a nuclear stress test and noncardiac surgery were evaluated. We reclassified RCRI as fragmented RCRI (FRCRI) by integrating fQRS on electrocardiography. We defined postoperative major adverse cardiac event (MACE) as a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and pulmonary edema. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (10.9%) developed postoperative MACE, and this was significantly frequent in patients with myocardial perfusion defect (41.4% vs. 28.0%, p = 0.031). fQRS was observed 84 (32.8%) patients, and it was proven to be an independent predictor of postoperative MACE after adjusting for the RCRI (odds ratio 3.279, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.419-7.580, p = 0.005). Moreover, fQRS had an incremental prognostic value for the RCRI (chi-square = 7.8, p = 0.005), and to the combination of RCRI and age (chi-square = 9.1, p = 0.003). The area under curve for predicting postoperative MACE significantly increased from 0.612 for RCRI to 0.667 for FRCRI (p = 0.027) and 23 patients (32.4%) originally classified as RCRI 2 were reclassified as FRCRI 3. CONCLUSIONS: A newly reclassified FRCRI that incorporates fQRS, is a valuable predictor of postoperative MACE in patients with severe renal dysfunction undergoing noncardiac surgery.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and coronary collateral formation in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

There is insufficient information on the relationship between the N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and collateral circulation (CC) formation after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We analyzed 857 patients who underwent primary PCI. The serum NT-proBNP levels were measured on the day of admission, and the CC was scored according to Rentrop's classification. Log-transformed NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in patients with good CC compared to those with poor CC (6.13 ± 2.01 pg/mL versus 5.48 ± 1.97 pg/mL, p < 0.001). The optimum cutoff value of log NT-proBNP for predicting CC was 6.04 pg/mL. Log NT-proBNP ≥ 6.04 pg/mL (odds ratio 2.23; 95% confidence interval 1.51-3.30; p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of good CC. CC development was higher in patients with a pre-TIMI flow of 0 or 1 than those with a pre-TIMI flow of 2 or 3 (22.6% versus 8.8%, p = 0.001). The incidence of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction (< 50%) was greater in patients with a pre-TIMI flow of 0 or 1 (49.8% versus 35.5%, p < 0.001). The release of NT-proBNP was greater in patients with LV dysfunction (34.3% versus 15.6%, p < 0.001). The incidence of good CC was greater in patients with log NT-proBNP levels ≥ 6.04 pg/ml (16.8% versus 26.2%, p = 0.003). The association between NT-proBNP and collateral formation was not influenced by pre-TIMI flow and LV function. NT-proBNP appears to reflect the degree of collateral formation in the early phase of STEMI and might have a new role as a useful surrogate biomarker for collateral formation in patients undergoing primary PCI.

Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Cardiovascular Diseases on Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 in Daegu Metropolitan City.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the association between preexisting cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and the outcomes of patients requiring hospitalization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of preexisting CVRFs or CVDs on the outcomes of patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in a Korean healthcare system. METHODS: Patients with COVID-19 admitted to 10 hospitals in Daegu Metropolitan City, Korea, were examined. All sequentially hospitalized patients between February 15, 2020, and April 24, 2020, were enrolled in this study. All patients were confirmed to have COVID-19 based on the positive results on the polymerase chain reaction testing of nasopharyngeal samples. Clinical outcomes during hospitalization, such as requiring intensive care and invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) and death, were evaluated. Moreover, data on baseline comorbidities such as a history of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, current smoking, heart failure, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accidents, and other chronic cardiac diseases were obtained. RESULTS: Of all the patients enrolled, 954 (42.0%) had preexisting CVRFs or CVDs. Among the CVRFs, the most common were hypertension (28.8%) and diabetes mellitus (17.0%). The prevalence rates of preexisting CVRFs or CVDs increased with age (P < 0.001). The number of patients requiring intensive care (P < 0.001) and invasive MV (P < 0.001) increased with age. The in-hospital death rate increased with age (P < 0.001). Patients requiring intensive care (5.3% vs. 1.6%; P < 0.001) and invasive MV (4.3% vs. 1.7%; P < 0.001) were significantly greater in patients with preexisting CVRFs or CVDs. In-hospital mortality (12.9% vs. 3.1%; P < 0.001) was significantly higher in patients with preexisting CVRFs or CVDs. Among the CVRFs, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were associated with increased requirement of intensive care and invasive MV and in-hospital death. Among the known CVDs, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure were associated with invasive MV and in-hospital death. In multivariate analysis, preexisting CVRFs or CVDs (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-3.01; P = 0.027) were independent predictors of in-hospital death after adjusting for confounding variables. Among individual preexisting CVRF or CVD components, diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.51-3.90; P < 0.001) and congestive heart failure (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.06-5.87; P = 0.049) were independent predictors of in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, the patients with confirmed COVID-19 with preexisting CVRFs or CVDs had worse clinical outcomes. Caution is required in dealing with these patients at triage.

Intravascular modality-guided versus angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available for current usage patterns of intravascular modalities such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fractional flow reserve (FFR) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Moreover, patient and procedural-based outcomes related to intravascular modality guidance compared to angiography guidance have not been fully investigated yet. METHODS: We examined 11,731 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from the Korea AMI Registry-National Institute of Health database. Patient-oriented composite endpoint (POCE) was defined as all-cause death, any infarction, and any revascularization. Device-oriented composite endpoint (DOCE) was defined as cardiac death, target-vessel reinfarction, and target-lesion revascularization. RESULTS: Overall, intravascular modalities were utilized in 2,659 (22.7%) patients including 2,333 (19.9%) IVUS, 277 (2.4%) OCT, and 157 (1.3%) FFR. In the unmatched cohort, POCE (5.4 vs. 8.5%; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61-0.93; p = .008) and DOCE (4.6 vs. 7.4%; adjusted HR 0.77; 95% CI 0.61-0.97; p = .028) were significantly lower in intravascular modality-guided PCI compared with angiography-guided PCI. In the propensity-score-matched cohorts, POCE (5.9 vs. 7.7%; HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.60-0.92; p = .006) and DOCE (5.0 vs. 6.8%; HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.57-0.90; p = .004) were significantly lower in intravascular modality guidance compared with angiography guidance. The difference was mainly driven by reduced all-cause mortality (4.4 vs. 7.0%; p < .001) and cardiac mortality (3.3 vs. 5.2%; p < .001). CONCLUSION: In this large-scale AMI registry, intravascular modality guidance was associated with an improving clinical outcome in selected high-risk patients.

Osborn waves during therapeutic hypothermia and recurrence of fatal arrhythmia in patients resuscitated following sudden cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the impact of the occurrence of Osborn waves during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) on the recurrence of future fatal arrhythmias in patients resuscitated after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). METHODS: Of all survivors of out-of-hospital SCA, 100 consecutive patients (mean age, 52 ± 15 years; 80% men) who received TH were included in this study. RESULTS: The most common first documented arrhythmia was ventricular fibrillation (VF) (77%), and ischemic heart disease (44%) and idiopathic VF (22%) were the most common causes of SCA in resuscitated patients. During TH, Osborn waves developed in 29 patients (29%). Osborn waves occurred more frequently in patients with Brugada syndrome. Patients with Osborn waves had lower in-hospital (10.3% vs 26.8%; P = .072) and 1-year death rates (20.7% vs 39.4%; P = .073) and better cerebral function (cerebral performance category scale, 2.0 ± 1.5 vs 2.7 ± 1.8; P = .053) than those without Osborn waves, although there was no statistical significance. Among 78 in-hospital survivors, 31 (40%) underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Appropriate ICD shocks from fatal arrhythmias were more frequent in patients who had Osborn waves than in those without Osborn waves (43% vs 6%; P = .032). CONCLUSIONS: Osborn waves during TH had no significant effect on the survival and cerebral function of patients resuscitated SCA. However, appropriate ICD shocks due to the recurrence of VF were more frequent in patients with Osborn waves during long-term follow-up.

A Case of COVID-19 with Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock.

A 60-year-old male patient with coronavirus disease-2019 showed new onset ST-segment elevation in V1-V2 leads on electrocardiogram and cardiac enzyme elevation in intensive care unit. He had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. He was receiving mechanical ventilation and veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment for severe hypoxia. Two-D echocardiogram showed regional wall motion abnormalities. We performed primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction complicating cardiogenic shock under hemodynamic support. He expired on the 16th day of admission because of cardiogenic shock and multi-organ failure. Active surveillance and intensive treatment strategy are important for saving lives of COVID-19 patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Incremental Predictive Value of Plasma Renin Activity as a Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The association of N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and plasma renin activity (PRA) for the prognosis of the patients with acute heart failure (HF) has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to determine the association between NT-proBNP and PRA and to investigate the incremental value of PRA to NT-proBNP for predicting long term prognosis in patients with acute HF. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-six patients (mean age, 64.7 ± 15.9 years; 46.5% female) presenting with acute HF were enrolled between December 2004 and July 2013. Patients with newly diagnosed HF as well as patients with acute exacerbated chronic HF were included. The prognosis was assessed with the composite event of all-cause mortality and readmission for HF during a 2-year follow-up period. RESULTS: The etiology of HF was ischemic in 116 (29.3%) patients. In a Cox proportional hazards model, log-transformed PRA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.205; P = 0.007) was an independent predictor of the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and readmission for HF in addition to age (HR, 1.032; P = 0.001), white blood cell (WBC) count (HR, 1.103; P < 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HR, 0.978; P = 0.013). Adding PRA to age, sex, LVEF, and NT-proBNP significantly improved the prediction for the composite outcome of all-cause mortality and readmission for HF, as shown by the net reclassification improvement (0.47; P < 0.001) and integrated discrimination improvement (0.10; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PRA could provide incremental predictive value to NT-proBNP for predicting long term prognosis in patients with acute HF.

The clinical impact of sex differences on ischemic postconditioning during primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a POST (the effects of postconditioning on myocardial reperfusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction) substudy.

The POST (the effects of postconditioning on myocardial reperfusion in patients with ST-Segment elevation myocardial infarction) study showed that ischemic postconditioning did not improve myocardial reperfusion in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, it has not been determined whether postconditioning is effective in women. This study sought to evaluate the impact of sex differences on ischemic postconditioning during the primary PCI. We analyzed clinical outcomes at 1 year in the 537 men and 163 women with STEMI, who were randomized to the postconditioning or to the conventional PCI group. Women were older, had higher rates of hypertension, were less likely to be current smokers, and had longer symptom-to-reperfusion time. The rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: a composite of death, myocardial infarction, severe heart failure, stent thrombosis, or target vessel revascularization) at 1 year was higher in women compared to men (9.8% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.044). MACE was significantly higher in women compared to men in the postconditioning group (12.2% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.042), but not in the conventional PCI group (7.9% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.391). However, women was not an independent predictor after adjusting baseline risk factors, angiographic and procedural parameters (HR 2.67, 95% CI 0.68-10.5, p = 0.158). Despite women having more adverse clinical characteristics, their prognosis was similar to men in the conventional group. Although women showed a higher rate of the MACE compared to men, women were not an independent predictor in the postconditioning group.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Left Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation in Patients with Hereditary Ventricular Arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND: Left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) has been underutilized in patients with hereditary ventricular arrhythmia syndromes such as congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) LCSD in such patients. METHODS: Fifteen patients (four men, 24.6 ± 10.5 years old) who underwent VATS-LCSD between November 2010 and January 2015 for hereditary ventricular arrhythmia syndromes at Kyungpook National University Hospital were enrolled in this study. The safety and efficacy of VATS-LCSD were evaluated by periprocedural epinephrine tests and assessing the development of complications and cardiac events during follow-up. RESULTS: Fourteen patients with LQTS and one patient with CPVT underwent VATS-LCSD. Six and one patients developed ventricular tachyarrhythmia during preprocedural and postprocedural epinephrine test, respectively (P = 0.063). No serious complications such as Horner syndrome, pneumothorax, or bleeding developed after LCSD. Mean hospital stay after VATS-LCSD was 3.7 ± 1.5 days. During a mean follow-up of 927 ± 350 days, one LQTS patient and one CPVT patient, neither of whom manifested tachyarrhythmia during post-LCSD epinephrine test, developed torsades de pointes and syncope, respectively. The annual event rates of six patients who were symptomatic during the period preceding LCSD decreased from 0.97 to 0.19 events/year (P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: VATS-LCSD was a safe, and effective procedure for patients with hereditary ventricular tachycardia syndrome, with no serious adverse events and with short hospital stay.

Hyponatremia at discharge as a predictor of 12-month clinical outcomes in hospital survivors after acute myocardial infarction.

Hyponatremia in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a well-known predictor of poor prognosis. However, little is known about the clinical implication of sodium levels at discharge in hospital survivors after AMI. The study included 1290 consecutive patients (64 ± 12 years; 877 men) who survived the index hospitalization after AMI. We determined the 12-month mortality rates of these patients. Patients who died during the 12-month follow-up had lower sodium levels at discharge than those who had survived (137 ± 6 vs. 139 ± 4 mmol/L; P < 0.014). Hyponatremia at discharge, defined as a serum sodium level ≤135 mmol/L, was present in 210 patients (16.3 %). In the Cox-proportional hazard model, hyponatremia at discharge (hazard ratio, 2.264; 95 % confidence interval, 1.119-4.579; P = 0.023) was an independent predictor of 12-month mortality. Moreover, hyponatremia at discharge had an incremental prognostic value over conventional risk factors (χ 2 = 7, P = 0.007), and conventional risk factors and log N-terminal Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide combined (χ 2 = 5, P = 0.021). In the subgroup analysis, the 12-month mortality of patients with hyponatremia at discharge was significantly higher than in those without, irrespective of age, Killip class, left ventricular ejection fraction, percutaneous coronary intervention at index hospitalization, and prescription of diuretics at discharge. Hyponatremia at discharge is an independent predictor of 12-month mortality in hospital survivors after AMI.

Impact of low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level on 2-year clinical outcomes after acute myocardial infarction in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: It is still unclear whether low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) affects cardiovascular outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), especially in patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total of 984 AMI patients with diabetes mellitus from the DIabetic Acute Myocardial InfarctiON Disease (DIAMOND) Korean multicenter registry were divided into two groups based on HDL-C level on admission: normal HDL-C group (HDL-C ≥ 40 mg/dL, n = 519) and low HDL-C group (HDL-C < 40 mg/dL, n = 465). The primary endpoint was 2-year major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 730 days. The 2-year MACE rates were significantly higher in the low HDL-C group than in the normal HDL-C group (MACE, 7.44% vs. 3.49%, p = 0.006; cardiac death, 3.72% vs. 0.97%, p = 0.004; non-fatal MI, 1.75% vs. 1.55%, p = 0.806; TVR, 3.50% vs. 0.97%, p = 0.007). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the low HDL-C group had a significantly higher incidence of MACE compared to the normal HDL-C group (log-rank p = 0.013). After adjusting for conventional risk factors, Cox proportional hazards analysis suggested that low HDL-C was an independent risk predictor for MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 3.075, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.034-9.144, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with diabetes mellitus, low HDL-C remained an independent risk predictor for MACE after adjusting for multiple risk factors during 2-year follow-up of AMI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was the sub-analysis of the prospective multi-center registry of DIAMOND (Diabetic acute myocardial infarction Disease) in Korea. This is the observational study supported by Bayer HealthCare, Korea. Study number is 15614. First patient first visit was 02 April 2010 and last patient last visit was 09 December 2013.

Difference in the Prognostic Impact of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain between Anterior and Nonanterior Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Speckle tracking-derived global longitudinal strain (GLS) of left ventricle is a potent prognostic marker for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of prognostic impact of GLS between anterior and nonanterior myocardial infarction. METHODS: This study included 686 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention for their first STEMI between November 2007 and April 2012. Differences in the prognostic impact of GLS between anterior MI group and nonanterior MI group were evaluated. The composite of all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure in 2 years was investigated for outcome. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 77 (11.2%) adverse events occurred. The anterior and nonanterior MI groups included 339 and 347 patients, respectively. Among patients with anterior MI, GLS significantly predicted 2-year outcome in an adjusted model (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.186; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.071-1.314, P = 0.001), whereas the association between GLS and mortality was weaker in the nonanterior MI group (adjusted HR 0.977; 95% CI 0.884-1.081, P = 0.657). The interaction between the infarction territory and GLS was significant (P for interaction = 0.018), indicating that GLS was a more sensitive predictor of mortality in patients with anterior MI than that in those with nonanterior MI. CONCLUSIONS: Speckle tracking-derived GLS of left ventricle more sensitively predicted clinical outcome in patients with anterior MI than in those with nonanterior MI.

Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy after drug-eluting stent implantation: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The risks and benefits of long-term dual antiplatelet therapy remain unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized comparison trial was conducted in 24 clinical centers in Korea. In total, 5045 patients who received drug-eluting stents and were free of major adverse cardiovascular events and major bleeding for at least 12 months after stent placement were enrolled between July 2007 and July 2011. Patients were randomized to receive aspirin alone (n=2514) or clopidogrel plus aspirin (n=2531). The primary end point was a composite of death resulting from cardiac causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke 24 months after randomization. At 24 months, the primary end point occurred in 57 aspirin-alone group patients (2.4%) and 61 dual-therapy group patients (2.6%; hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.35; P=0.75). The 2 groups did not differ significantly in terms of the individual risks of death resulting from any cause, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, or stroke. Major bleeding occurred in 24 (1.1%) and 34 (1.4%) of the aspirin-alone group and dual-therapy group patients, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.20; P=0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients who were on 12-month dual antiplatelet therapy without complications, an additional 24 months of dual antiplatelet therapy versus aspirin alone did not reduce the risk of the composite end point of death from cardiac causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01186146.