Radial artery spasms - angiographic morphology, risk factors and management.

Introduction: Radial artery is the preferred access for coronary interventions. However, the procedure is sometimes interrupted by a spasm which causes pain, prolongs the procedure, and can force the access crossover. Aim: To observe factors contributing to a symptomatic radial artery spasm. Material and methods: In this prospective study, we present results of 103 consecutive patients regarding radial artery spasm and angiographic image of the punctured artery. Angiography of the radial artery was performed in 70 (68.0%) patients. Potential risk factors for radial artery spasm were evaluated. Results: The overall incidence of the radial artery spasm was high - 25 (24.3%). Signs of spasm were present in 37.1% of radial artery angiographies before the procedure and 60.1% after, however, it did not always indicate a symptomatic spasm. Risk factors related to radial artery spasm included female sex (OR = 2.94, p = 0.02), failure of the first puncture attempt (OR = 3.12, p = 0.014) and use of non-hydrophilic sheath (OR = 9.56, p = 0.036). Radial artery narrowing at the tip of the sheath was also a risk factor for spasm (p = 0.022). No spasms were observed after hydrophilic sheath application (n = 13). The administration of a radial cocktail was not observed to significantly decrease the spasm odds. Conclusions: Risk factors for radial artery spasm include female sex and multiple puncture attempts. Hydrophilic sheath coating protects against radial artery spasm. Overall signs of a spasm in the angiography are common and do not imply a symptomatic spasm, which can be predicted by a tight narrowing at the tip of the sheath.

Implementation of Microcirculation Examination in Clinical Practice-Insights from the Nationwide POL-MKW Registry.

Background and Objectives: The assessment of coronary microcirculation may facilitate risk stratification and treatment adjustment. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' clinical presentation and treatment following coronary microcirculation assessment, as well as factors associated with an abnormal coronary flow reserve (CFR) and index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) values. Materials and Results: This retrospective analysis included 223 patients gathered from the national registry of invasive coronary microvascular testing collected between 2018 and 2023. Results: The frequency of coronary microcirculatory assessments in Poland has steadily increased since 2018. Patients with impaired IMR (≥25) were less burdened with comorbidities. Patients with normal IMR underwent revascularisation attempts more frequently (11.9% vs. 29.8%, p = 0.003). After microcirculation testing, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were added more often for patients with IMR and CFR abnormalities, respectively, as compared to control groups. Moreover, patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD, defined as CFR and/or IMR abnormality), regardless of treatment choice following microcirculation assessment, were provided with trimetazidine (23.2%) and dihydropyridine CCBs (26.4%) more frequently than those without CMD who were treated conservatively (6.8%) and by revascularisation (4.2% with p = 0.002 and 0% with p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariable analysis revealed no association between angina symptoms and IMR or CFR impairment. Conclusions: The frequency of coronary microcirculatory assessments in Poland has steadily increased. Angina symptoms were not associated with either IMR or CFR impairment. After microcirculation assessment, patients with impaired microcirculation, expressed as either low CFR, high IMR or both, received additional pharmacotherapy treatment more often.

In-Hospital Levels of Circulating MicroRNAs as Potential Predictors of Left Ventricular Remodeling Post-Myocardial Infarction.

Background and Objectives: Biochemical and molecular regulation of both adaptive and pathological responses of heart tissue to ischemic injury is widely investigated. However, it is still not fully understood. Several biomarkers are tested as predictors of left ventricle (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between selected microRNAs (miRNAs) and LV function and morphology in patients after MI. Materials and Methods: Selected miRNAs related to heart failure were assessed in the acute phase of MI: miR-150-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-19b-3p, miR-155-5p, miR-22-5p. Echocardiography with 3D imaging was performed at baseline and after 6 months. Remodeling was defined as >20% increase in LV end-diastolic volume, whereas reverse remodeling was defined as >10% reduction in LV end-systolic volume. Results: Eighty patients entered the registry. Remodeling occurred in 26% and reverse remodeling was reported in 51% of patients. In the presented study, none of the analyzed miRNAs were found to be a significant LV remodeling predictor. The observed correlations between miRNAs and other circulating biomarkers of myocardial remodeling were relatively weak. Conclusions: Our analysis does not demonstrate an association between the analyzed miRNAs and LV remodeling in patients with MI.

Prognosis of patients with renal failure one year following non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney failure is highly prevalent in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of baseline renal function regarding in-hospital and 1-year mortality among patients with NSTEMI and treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Data were obtained from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes (PL-ACS) and included 47,052 NSTEMI patients treated with PCI between 2017 and 2021. The cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality during the 1-year follow-up was presented using the Kaplan-Meier curves. The multivariable Cox regression model was created to adjust the relationship between eGFR (as a spline term) and all-cause mortality for potential confounders. RESULTS: After considering the exclusion criteria, 20,834 cases were evaluated, with a median eGFR of 72.7 (IQR 56.6-87.5) mL/min/1.73 m2. The median age was 69 (62-76) years. The study comprised 4,505 patients with normal (90-120), 10,189 with mild (60-89), 5,539 with moderate (30-59), and 601 with severe eGFR impairment (15-29). Lower eGFR was associated with worse baseline clinical profile and longer in-hospital delay to coronary angiography. There was a stepwise increase in the crude all-cause death rates across the groups at 1 year. The Cox regression model with a spline term revealed that the relationship between eGFR and the risk of death at 1 year was non-linear (reverse J-shaped), and the risk was the lowest in patients with eGFR∼90 mL/min/1.73 m2. CONCLUSIONS: There is a J-curve relationship between the eGFR value and 1-year all-cause mortality in patients with NSTEMI and treated with PCI.

Definition and anatomical description of the left atrial appendage neck.

The left atrial appendage (LAA) is well known as a source of cardiac thrombus formation. Despite its clinical importance, the LAA neck is still anatomically poorly defined. Therefore, this study aimed to define the LAA neck and determine its morphometric characteristics. We performed three-dimensional reconstructions of the heart chambers based on contrast-enhanced electrocardiography-gated computed tomography scans of 200 patients (47% females, 66.5 ± 13.6 years old). The LAA neck was defined as a truncated cone-shaped canal bounded proximally by the LAA orifice and distally by the lobe origin and was present in 98.0% of cases. The central axis of the LAA neck was 14.7 ± 2.3 mm. The mean area of the LAA neck walls was 856.6 ± 316.7 mm2 . The LAA neck can be divided into aortic, arterial (the smallest), venous (the largest), and free surfaces. All areas have a trapezoidal shape with a broader proximal base. There were no statistically significant differences in the morphometric characteristics of the LAA neck between LAA types. Statistically significant differences between the sexes in the main morphometric parameters of the LAA neck were found in the central axis length and the LAA neck wall area. The LAA neck can be evaluated from computed tomography scans and their three-dimensional reconstructions. The current study provides a complex morphometric analysis of the LAA neck. The precise definition and morphometric details of the LAA neck presented in this study may influence the effectiveness and safety of LAA exclusion procedures.

Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation in Acute Coronary Syndrome Survivors Reduces Major Cardiovascular Events and Mortality.

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients is increasing. Data on outcomes of anticoagulation in ACS patients with AF are lacking.The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of stroke, myocardial infarction, bleeding complications, and all-cause mortality in this population.PL-ACS and AMI-PL registries gather an all-comer population of ACS patients in Poland, exceeding half a million records. We have selected ACS survivors with concomitant AF on admission, divided them into subgroups with regard to the administered anticoagulation, and followed up with them for a 12-month period (n = 13,973). Subsequently, groups were propensity score matched for age, sex, ejection fraction, diabetes, heart failure, renal impairment, and type of ACS.The study population was divided with regard to the administration of anticoagulation. Anticoagulation was prescribed in 2,466 patients (17.6%). The (D)OAC+ patients were younger; however, comorbidities were more prevalent in this group. The 12-month follow-up showed that the (D)OAC+ patients had significantly lower rates of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke, with no significant increase in bleeding events. After matching, the study groups consisted of 2,194 patients each and showed no differences in baseline characteristics. The outcomes of the 12-month observation were similar to the findings before matching.This all-comer national registry analysis shows that the use of guideline-recommended therapy and anticoagulation in ACS survivors with AF is associated with a lower rate of all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography imaging in assessing early stages of aortic valve degeneration after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a standard treatment for severe aortic stenosis, primarily in elderly patients. With an increasing number of procedures and younger patients, understanding the valve degeneration and its risk factors becomes crucial. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to utilize 18F­sodium fluoride (18F­NaF) and 18F­fluorodeoxyglucose (18F­FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to evaluate early TAVI valve degeneration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study with a prespecified follow­up protocol, 71 TAVI patients underwent baseline transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and PET/CT with 18F­NaF and 18F­FDG. Of these, 31 patients completed 24­month control examinations, while the others were lost to mortality and the COVID­19 pandemic. We measured PET tracer activity and compared 18F­NaF and 18F­FDG PET/CT uptake at baseline and 24­month follow­up. RESULTS: PET/CT and echocardiography data were analyzed for 31 of the 71 enrolled TAVI patients at a median age of 84 years (interquartile range, 80-86). After TAVI, an improvement in the valve function was observed. During follow­up, the valve function remained stable. PET/CT demonstrated an increase in 18F­FDG maximal uptake in the inner (tissue­to­background ratio, P = 0.009) and outer (P = 0.01) sides of the TAVI valve stent, but no difference in 18F­NaF maximal activity (inner, P = 0.17; outer, P = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Twenty­four months post­TAVI, an increase in 18F­FDG uptake, indicative of inflammation, was observed in the valve, while the uptake of the calcification marker (18F­NaF) remained stable. Theseobservations might suggest early stages of TAVI valve degeneration, although further investigation is required to confirm this interpretation.

Multicenter registry of Impella-assisted high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions and cardiogenic shock in Poland (IMPELLA-PL).

BACKGROUND: Impella is a percutaneous mechanical circulatory support device for treatment of cardiogenic shock (CS) and high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions (HR-PCIs). IMPELLA-PL is a national retrospective registry of Impella-treated CS and HR-PCI patients in 20 Polish interventional cardiological centers, conducted from January 2014 until December 2021. AIMS: We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of Impella using real-world data from IMPELLA-PL and compare these with other registries. METHODS: IMPELLA-PL data were analyzed to determine primary endpoints: in-hospital mortality and rates of mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 12 months post-discharge. RESULTS: Of 308 patients, 18% had CS and 82% underwent HR-PCI. In-hospital mortality rates were 76.4% and 8.3% in the CS and HR-PCI groups, respectively. The 12-month mortality rates were 80.0% and 18.2%, and post-discharge MACCE rates were 9.1% and 22.5%, respectively. Any access site bleeding occurred in 30.9% of CS patients and 14.6% of HR-PCI patients, limb ischemia in 12.7% and 2.4%, and hemolysis in 10.9% and 1.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Impella is safe and effective during HR-PCIs, in accordance with previous registry analyses. The risk profile and mortality in CS patients were higher than in other registries, and the potential benefits of Impella in CS require investigation.

Management of myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: Expert opinion of the Association of Intensive Cardiac Care and Association of Cardiovascular Interventions of the Polish Society of Cardiology.

Despite significant advances in interventional cardiology and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) techniques, outcomes for patients with myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) remain suboptimal. This expert consensus aims to provide information on the current management of patients with MI complicated by CS in Poland and to propose solutions, including systemic ones, for all stages of care. The document uses data from the Polish PL-ACS Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes, which includes records of more than 820 000 hospital admissions. We describe the role of medical rescue teams, highlighting the necessity to expand their range of competencies at the level of prehospital care. We emphasize the importance of treating the underlying cause of CS and direct patient transfer to centers capable of performing percutaneous coronary interventions. We present current recommendations of scientific societies on MCS use. We underline the role of the Cardiac Shock Team in the management of patients with MI complicated by CS. Such teams should comprise an interventional cardiologist, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and an intensive care physician. Patients should be transferred to highly specialized CS centers, following the example of so-called Cardiac Shock Care Centers described in some other countries. We propose criteria for the operation of such centers Other important aspects discussed in the document include the role of rehabilitation, multidisciplinary care, and long-term follow-up of treatment outcomes. The document was developed in cooperation with experts from different scientific societies in Poland, which illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary care in this patient population.

Lipid-Lowering Therapy after Acute Coronary Syndrome in Outpatient Practice-How to Achieve Goal.

BACKGROUND: Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease involves the use of optimal pharmacological treatment and modification of risk factors through lifestyle changes. Recent evidence demonstrates that the major initiating event in atherogenesis is the storage of low-density lipoproteins. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the efficacy in achieving the therapeutic lipid target in relation to the frequency of follow-up at selected time points and to determine the safety and tolerability of cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins, ezetimibe). METHODS: This was a prospective analysis of 72 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Patients were consecutively divided into two groups: first, with follow-up and laboratory tests at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge, including 32 patients; second, including 40 patients with follow-up and laboratory tests 12 months after hospital discharge. RESULTS: A significant reduction in LDL-C level was observed at 12 months in both groups. LDL-C level was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 after 12 months (p = 0.02). Total cholesterol level was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2 after 12 months. After 12 months of therapy, 21 (65.6%) patients in group 1 and 17 (42.5%) in group 2 had LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L. In group 1, we observed a significant decrease in LDL-C, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The group of patients with more frequent follow-up visits showed a greater reduction in LDL-C level than the group with only one visit after a 12-month hospital discharge.

The Impact of Age on the Physiological Assessment of Borderline Coronary Stenoses.

Background and Objectives: Coronary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). In the case of borderline changes, patients require further diagnosis through ischemia assessment via one of the recommended methods of invasive evaluation. This study aimed to assess whether clinical factors influence the risk of a positive result in invasive myocardial ischemia assessment and if these potential factors change with the patient's age and the consistency of ischemia assessment. Materials and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively on all consecutive patients hospitalized in the University Hospital in Krakow between 2020 and 2021, on whom physiological assessments of coronary circulation were performed. Patients were divided into two groups: patients aged 60 or younger and patients older than 60. Results: Despite the older patients having more risk factors for CAD, their physiological assessment results of borderline lesions were similar to those of the younger patients. Positive fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessments were obtained from almost 50% of vessels. In the younger patients, cigarette use and type 2 diabetes mellitus increased the risk of a positive FFR result by 3.5 and 2.5 times, respectively. In the older patients, male gender and peripheral vascular disease significantly increased the risk of a positive FFR by 2.5 and 2 times, respectively. Conclusions: Clinical characteristics of patients undergoing physiological assessment of borderline coronary stenosis varied significantly by age. Refining the definition of borderline lesions to include age, gender, and other factors may improve the identification of patients who would benefit from physiological assessment and coronary revascularization.