Biomarkers for Risk Stratification in Patients With Type A Acute Aortic Dissection.

Type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a fatal disease and thus, accurate and objective risk stratification is essential. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of readily available and assessable biomarkers in patients with type A AAD. This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational study. A total of 703 patients with type A AAD diagnosed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography were included. Therapeutic strategies were left to the physician's discretion in a real-world clinical setting. The prognostic value for in-hospital mortality was examined in 15 circulating biomarkers on admission, which are routinely available in clinical practice. Of the 703 patients, 126 (17.9%) died during the hospitalization. Of the 15 biomarkers, the multivariable analysis identified positive cardiac troponin, a low total bilirubin (T-Bil) level, and increased levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as significant predictors of in-hospital death. The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis showed that these 4 biomarkers had an independent additive prognostic value. With the cut-off values of T-Bil, BNP, and LDH, in combination with positive troponin, the increase in the number of positive biomarkers was progressively associated with higher in-hospital mortality from 1.3% to 9.8%, 20.5%, 36.4%, and 75.0% (p <0.001). In conclusion, in patients with type A AAD, positive cardiac troponin, a low T-Bil level, and increased levels of BNP and LDH on admission were related to higher in-hospital mortality, with an incremental prognostic value, suggesting that the readily available and assessable biomarkers can aid in decision-making in therapeutic strategies.

Comparison of the effect of ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall between with and without collateral veins.

BACKGROUND: Despite the potential benefits of ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall (EIVOM) for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, concerns about its reversible and unpredictable effects persist. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of EIVOM in the vein of Marshall (VOM) with collateral veins (CVs) during mitral isthmus and AF ablation. METHODS: We included 142 AF patients. EIVOM was performed before radiofrequency ablation, and low-voltage areas (<0.5 mV) were measured before, immediately after, and 1 h after EIVOM. RESULTS: Among the 142 patients, 93 (65%) underwent EIVOM, and among these, 35 (37%) were found to have CVs. In the VOM with CVs group, areas with low voltage measured 0 (0-1.85) cm2 before EIVOM, 6.9 (4.1-11.2) cm2 immediately after EIVOM, and 5.7 (3.5-10.6) cm2 1 h after EIVOM. Conversely, in the group designated as VOM without CVs-from which the nine leakage cases were excluded-the areas measured 0 (0-1.35) cm2 , 5.5 (2.6-11.8) cm2 , and 4.7 (1.8-13.5) cm2 at the respective time points. MI line block was fully achieved in 89% (31/35) of cases in the VOM with CVs group and 88% (44/49) in the VOM without CVs groups (p = .94). There was no significant difference in the outcome of AF ablation between these groups (log-rank p = .73). Additionally, no significant difference was observed between EIVOM (+) and EIVOM (-) groups (log-rank p = .59). CONCLUSION: EIVOM effectively creates MI line block, and its beneficial effects are sustained for at least 1 h after the procedure despite the low-voltage areas showing a slight reduction in size.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with acute type A aortic intramural hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Although type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) including classic double-channel aorta and intramural hematoma (IMH) is a life-threatening condition, the prognostic impact and predictors of IMH remain to be established. The present study evaluated the prevalence, baseline characteristics, and outcomes of IMH as compared with classic non-thrombosed type A AAD. METHODS: This multicenter registry in Japan retrospectively included 703 patients with type A AAD. IMH was defined as a crescentic or circular area along the ascending aortic wall without contrast enhancement on computed tomography (CT). Non-thrombosed type A AAD was defined as the classic double-channel ascending aorta on contrast-enhanced CT. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Of the 703 patients with type A AAD, 312 (44.3%) had IMH. Older age was an only baseline patient factor significantly associated with the presence of IMH in the multivariable analysis. The longitudinal extent of dissection was greater in patients with classic non-thrombosed AAD than those with IMH, resulting in an increased risk of end-organ malperfusion in the classic AAD group. During the hospitalization, 41 (13.1%) and 85 (21.7%) patients with and without IMH died (p < 0.001). IMH was associated with lower in-hospital mortality in a multivariable model, irrespective of age and the implementation of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that IMH on CT was frequent among patients with type A AAD. Although IMH was more likely to be present in the elderly, its effect on the better survival was independent of age and surgical treatment.

Efficacy and durability of posterior wall isolation with ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall.

INTRODUCTION: Ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall (EIVOM) is expected to be an adjunctive therapy for mitral isthmus (MI) ablation. Additionally, EIVOM can widely ablate the epicardium via the branches that extend to the left atrial posterior wall (LAPW) and facilitate LAPW isolation. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and durability of LAPW isolation with EIVOM. METHODS: Our cohort consisted of 413 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent both LAPW and MI ablations. EIVOM was first attempted in 177 (35%) patients with adequate VOMs. The VOM was infused with 5 mL of ethanol with a double coaxial guiding catheter technique. Both ablations were performed only by radiofrequency ablation (the RF group) in the remaining 236 (57%) patients. RESULTS: EIVOM with 5 mL of ethanol was completely achieved in 106 patients (the EIVOM group). The application duration of LAPW isolation did not differ significantly between the two groups (718 ± 276 vs. 709 ± 288 s; p = .78). LAPW debulking ablation was required in 64/106 (60%) and 176/236 (75%) patients in the EIVOM and RF groups, respectively (p < .05). However, AF- or atrial tachycardia-free survival analyses revealed no significant differences between the two groups (log-rank p = .70). Among the cases of recurrence, 17 and 38 patients underwent subsequent ablation sessions; LAPW was reconnected in 9/17 (53%) and 25/38 (53%) patients (p = .36) in the EIVOM and RF groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: EIVOM reduced the number of cases that required LAPW debulking ablation but did not improve the durability of LAPW isolation or clinical outcomes.

Cardiac arrest due to late-onset coronary artery spasm after radiofrequency catheter ablation in a patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Coronary artery spasm (CAS) associated with catheter ablation is an important perioperative complication. Here we describe a case of late-onset CAS with cardiogenic shock that occurred five hours after ablation.A 55-year-old man diagnosed with CAS previously underwent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation due to ventricular fibrillation. Inappropriate defibrillation was repeatedly conducted for frequent episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Therefore, pulmonary vein isolation and linear ablation, including cava-tricuspid isthmus line, were performed. Five hours after the procedure, the patient experienced chest discomfort and lost his consciousness. Electrocardiogram monitoring of lead II revealed atrioventricular sequential pacing and ST-elevation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and inotropic support were immediately started. Meanwhile, coronary angiography revealed diffuse narrowing in the right coronary artery. Intracoronary infusion of nitroglycerin immediately dilated the narrowed lesion; however, the patient required intensive care with percutaneous cardiac pulmonary support and a left ventricular assist device. Pacing thresholds obtained immediately after cardiogenic shock were stable and almost similar to previous results. This showed that the myocardium was electrically responsive to ICD pacing but was unable to contract effectively due to ischemia. Learning objective: Coronary artery spasm (CAS) associated with catheter ablation commonly occurs during ablation, but rarely as a late-onset complication. CAS may cause cardiogenic shock despite proper pacing of the dual chamber. Continuous monitoring of the electrocardiogram and arterial blood pressure is crucial for the early detection of late-onset CAS. Continuous infusion of nitroglycerin and admission into the intensive care unit after ablation may prevent fatal outcomes.

Roof-dependent atrial flutter with epicardial conduction pathway masked by left atrium posterior wall debulking ablation.

Roof-dependent atrial flutter (AFL) is a major tachyarrhythmia rotating in the left atrium (LA). Here, we describe a case of roof-dependent AFL during atrial fibrillation ablation. LA posterior wall (LAPW) debulking ablation was performed before the induction. Atrial tachycardia (AT) was induced by burst pacing, and the 3D mappings showed a focal pattern from the LA inferior area. The post-pacing interval from the roof and bottom line corresponded to the AT cycle length. The LAPW debulking ablation masked roof-dependent AFL due to the lack of endocardium potentials in the LAPW. We report that roof-dependent AFL connected by epicardium fibers.

Right versus left coronary artery involvement in patients with type A acute aortic dissection.

BACKGROUND: Type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) complicated by coronary malperfusion is a life-threatening disease. In the present study, we compared the clinical characteristics and prognostic impact of treatment strategies including surgical treatment and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in type A AAD patients with RCA and LCA involvement. METHODS: This multicenter registry included 220 patients with type A AAD and either RCA or LCA involvement. Treatment strategies were left to treating physicians. The primary endpoint was in-hospital death. RESULTS: Of 220 patients, 115 (52.3%) and 105 (47.7%) had RCA and LCA involvement. Patients with LCA involvement were more1 likely to present with Killip class IV on admission than those with RCA involvement. Coronary angiography was performed in 52 of 220 (23.6%) patients, among whom 39 (75.0%) underwent subsequent PCI. During the hospitalization, 93 (42.3%) patients died. Patients with LCA involvement had an increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared to those with RCA involvement (54.3% vs. 31.3%, p < 0.001). In patients with RCA involvement, multivariable analysis identified Killip class IV and no surgical treatment as predictors of in-hospital death, while PCI and surgical treatment were indicated as factors associated with lower in-hospital mortality in patients with LCA involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of RCA and LCA involvement were similar in type A AAD. Immediate PCI as a bridge to subsequent surgical treatment might improve survival in patients with type A AAD complicated by coronary malperfusion, especially in those with LCA involvement.

DAPagliflozin for the attenuation of albuminuria in Patients with hEaRt failure and type 2 diabetes (DAPPER study): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, standard treatment-controlled trial.

Background: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) in patients with elevated levels of albuminuria in the presence or absence of heart failure (HF) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). However, these effects have not yet been reported in the presence of both HF and T2D. This lack of evidence prompted us to conduct a clinical trial on the effects of dapagliflozin on UACR in patients with HF and T2D. Methods: DAPPER is a multicentre, randomised, open-labeled, parallel-group, standard treatment-controlled trial that enrolled patients at 18 medical facilities in Japan. Eligible participants with both HF and T2D and aged between 20 and 85 years were randomly assigned to a dapagliflozin or control (anti-diabetic drugs other than SGLT 2 inhibitors) group with a 1:1 allocation. The primary outcome was changes in UACR from baseline after a two-year observation, and secondary endpoints were cardiovascular (CV) events and parameters related to HF. This trial was registered with the UMIN-CTR registry, UMIN000025102 and the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCTs051180135. Findings: Between 12 May 2017 and 31 March 2020, 294 patients were randomly assigned to the dapagliflozin group (n = 146) or control group (n = 148). The mean age of patients was 72.1 years and 29% were female. The mean glycated hemoglobin value was 6.9%, mean NT-proBNP was 429.1 pg/mL, mean estimated GFR was 65.7 mL/min/1.73 m2, and median UACR was 25.0 (8.8-74.6) mg/g Cr in the dapagliflozin group and 25.6 (8.2-95.0) mg/g Cr in the control group. Of the 146 patients in the dapagliflozin group, 122 completed the study, and 107 (87.7%) were taking 5 mg of dapagliflozin daily at the end of the observation period. The primary outcome did not significantly differ between the dapagliflozin and control groups. Among the secondary endpoints, the mean decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions as one of the echocardiographic parameters was larger in the dapagliflozin group than in the control group. The composite endpoint, defined as CV death or hospitalisation for CV events, hospitalisation for HF events, hospitalisation for all causes, and an additional change in prescriptions for heart failure in a two-year observation, was less frequent in the dapagliflozin group than in the control group. Interpretation: Although dapagliflozin at a dose of 5 mg daily did not reduce urinary albumin excretion in patients with HF and T2D from that in the controls, our findings suggest that dapagliflozin decreased CV events and suppressed left ventricular remodeling. Funding: AstraZeneca KK, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Long-term outcome of adenosine-induced atrial fibrillation after atrial fibrillation ablation: A propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nonpulmonary vein (non-PV) foci, in addition to pulmonary vein (PV), are considered important in initiating atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a method for inducing non-PV ectopy. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 1388 patients with AF (728 with paroxysmal AF, 650 with nonparoxysmal AF) who underwent catheter ablation. To confirm dormant PV conductions and non-PV foci, 20 or 40 mg ATP was administered intravenously at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: The ATP test induced AF in 36 of 1388 (2.6%) patients, in whom two (6%) had ectopy arising from the both atria, 15 (42%) from the right atrium (RA), and five (14%) from left atrium (LA). Because of a lack of reproducibility, the accurate location of non-PV foci was unidentified in the remaining 11 (31%) patients. Additional radiofrequency ablation to non-PV foci induced ATP administration was not performed in 34 patients. Among all 1388 patients, 64 were assigned to the ATP-AF(+) and ATP-AF(-) groups using a propensity score matching analysis (32 patients in each group). During the follow-up period, recurrent AF was observed in 9 of 32 (28%) patients in the ATP-AF(+) group and in 10 of 32 (31%) patients in the ATP-AF(-) group (log-rank p = .84, hazard ratio 0.91 [95% confidence interval 0.36-2.27]). In the univariate analysis, AF induction by ATP test was not predictive of AF recurrence (p = .78). CONCLUSION: ATP-induced AF was not associated with AF recurrence in the distant period.

Ethnic comparison in takotsubo syndrome: novel insights from the International Takotsubo Registry.

BACKGROUND: Ethnic disparities have been reported in cardiovascular disease. However, ethnic disparities in takotsubo syndrome (TTS) remain elusive. This study assessed differences in clinical characteristics between Japanese and European TTS patients and determined the impact of ethnicity on in-hospital outcomes. METHODS: TTS patients in Japan were enrolled from 10 hospitals and TTS patients in Europe were enrolled from 32 hospitals participating in the International Takotsubo Registry. Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes were compared between Japanese and European patients. RESULTS: A total of 503 Japanese and 1670 European patients were included. Japanese patients were older (72.6 ± 11.4 years vs. 68.0 ± 12.0 years; p < 0.001) and more likely to be male (18.5 vs. 8.4%; p < 0.001) than European TTS patients. Physical triggering factors were more common (45.5 vs. 32.0%; p < 0.001), and emotional triggers less common (17.5 vs. 31.5%; p < 0.001), in Japanese patients than in European patients. Japanese patients were more likely to experience cardiogenic shock during the acute phase (15.5 vs. 9.0%; p < 0.001) and had a higher in-hospital mortality (8.2 vs. 3.2%; p < 0.001). However, ethnicity itself did not appear to have an impact on in-hospital mortality. Machine learning approach revealed that the presence of physical stressors was the most important prognostic factor in both Japanese and European TTS patients. CONCLUSION: Differences in clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes between Japanese and European TTS patients exist. Ethnicity does not impact the outcome in TTS patients. The worse in-hospital outcome in Japanese patients, is mainly driven by the higher prevalence of physical triggers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique Identifier: NCT01947621.

Prognostic Impact of Branch Vessel Involvement on Computed Tomography versus Clinical Presentation of Malperfusion in Patients With Type a Acute Aortic Dissection.

Type A acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a life-threatening disease. The use of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for diagnosing AAD has increased, and CT can provide pathophysiologic information on dissection such as intramural hematoma (IMH), longitudinal extent of dissection, and branch vessel involvement. However, the prognostic impact of these CT findings is poorly investigated. This multicenter registry included 703 patients with type A AAD. The longitudinal extent of dissection and IMH was determined on CT. Branch vessel involvement was defined as dissection extended into coronary, cerebral, and visceral arteries on CT. The evidence of malperfusion was defined based on clinical presentations. The primary endpoint was in-hospital death. Of 703 patients, 126 (18%) died during hospitalization. Based on contrast-enhanced CT findings, longitudinal extent of dissection was not associated with in-hospital death, while patients with IMH had lower in-hospital mortality than those without (13% vs 22%, p = 0.004). Coronary, cerebral, and visceral artery involvement on CT was found in 6%, 55%, and 32%. In patients with coronary artery involvement, 90% had clinical coronary malperfusion, while only 25% and 21% of patients with cerebral and visceral artery involvement had clinical evidence of corresponding organ malperfusion. Multivariable analysis showed evidence of malperfusion as a significant factor associated with in-hospital mortality. In conclusions, branch vessel involvement on CT was not always associated with end-organ malperfusion in patients with type A AAD, especially in cerebral and visceral arteries. Clinical evidence of malperfusion was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality beyond branch vessel involvement on CT.

Durability of mitral isthmus ablation with and without ethanol infusion in the vein of Marshall.

INTRODUCTION: Ethanol infusion in the vein of Marshall (EIVOM) effectively creates a linear ablation lesion in the mitral isthmus (MI). However, data on the long-term success rates of MI ablation is limited. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our cohort consisted of 560 patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent an initial MI ablation. Ablations were performed by only radiofrequency (RF) in 384 (RF group) or by RF and EIVOM in 176 (EIVOM/RF group) patients; 5 ml anhydrous ethanol was used to perform EIVOM in advance of RF. Following EIVOM, RF pulses were delivered to the lateral MI line. Bidirectional MI block was fully achieved in 353/384 (92%) (First 318, Re-do 35) patinents in the RF group and 171/176 (97%) (First 128, Re-do 43) patients in the EIVOM/RF group (p = .09 in the first, p = .10 in the re-do ablation cases). In cases with complete MI line block, recurrent AF or atrial tachycardia was observed in 130/353 (37%) patients in the RF group and in 64/171 (37%) patients in the EIVOM/RF group (log-rank p = .12 in the first, and p = .30 in the re-do ablation cases). Of the total 560 patients, 123 proceeded to the subsequent ablation session. Reconduction across MI line block was observed in 39/80 (49%) patients in the RF group and 25/43 (58%) patients in the EIVOM/RF group (p = .32). CONCLUSION: EIVOM effectively ensures MI line block; however, the reconduction rate was similar between the two groups.

Impact of in-hospital blood pressure variability on clinical outcomes in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

Various types of blood pressure (BP) variability have been recognized as risk factors for future cardiovascular events. However, the prognostic impact of in-hospital BP variability in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has not yet been thoroughly investigated. A total of 386 patients with PAD who underwent endovascular therapy in two hospitals were retrospectively included. BP variability was assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) of systolic BP measured during hospitalization by trained nurses. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure) and major adverse limb events (major amputation, acute limb ischemia, and surgical limb revascularization). The mean systolic BP and the CV of systolic BP during hospitalization were 130.8 ± 15.7 mmHg and 11.2 ± 4.1%, respectively. During the median follow-up period of 22 months, 80 patients (21%) reached the primary endpoint. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the CV of systolic BP significantly predicted major adverse cardiovascular and limb events (area under the curve 0.60, best cutoff value 9.8, P = 0.01). Using the best cutoff value, patients with high BP variability (n = 242) had a higher risk of clinical events than those with low BP variability (n = 144) (26% vs. 12%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis indicated that the CV of systolic BP, age, hemodialysis, and atrial fibrillation were associated with the primary endpoint. In conclusion, greater in-hospital systolic BP variability was associated with major adverse cardiovascular and limb events in patients with symptomatic PAD undergoing endovascular therapy.

Multicenter research of bleeding risk between prasugrel and clopidogrel in Japanese patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Although it has been reported that prasugrel achieves stronger antiplatelet effect and fewer cardiovascular events compared to clopidogrel in Japanese patients, there are limited data comparing the safety between the 2 dose regimens. Data from 1031 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI at 5 institutions from May 2014 to April 2016, who received aspirin plus either clopidogrel (619 patients) or prasugrel (412 patients), were retrospectively analyzed. The choice of clopidogrel or prasugrel was left to the operator's discretion. Adverse events were defined as a composite of bleeding, hepatopathy, leukopenia, thrombopenia, exanthema, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). MACE was defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal ischemic stroke. The average follow-up period was 143 days in the prasugrel group and 263 days in the clopidogrel group. Adverse events occurred in 34.5% of patients in the prasugrel group and in 28.6% in the clopidogrel group. Although the Kaplan-Meier curves showed lower survival rates from MACE, all-bleeding, major bleeding, minor bleeding, and adverse events, in the prasugrel group compared to the clopidogrel group (log rank test p = 0.009, p = 0.001, p = 0.012, p = 0.018, and p < 0.001, respectively), multivariate Cox-regression analyses determined prasugrel as a significant risk factor for all-bleeding, minor bleeding, and adverse events, but not for MACE and major bleeding events. Dual antiplatelet therapy with prasugrel was independently associated with minor bleeding events, but not with MACE and major bleeding events, compared to clopidogrel, after PCI in common clinical settings.

Assessment of strut coverage of everolimus-eluting platinum chromium stent 2 weeks after implantation by optical coherence tomography.

The SYNERGY coronary stent is new-generation drug-eluting stents, which has a thin-strut platinum-chromium platform with everolimus in a biodegradable polymer applied to the abluminal surface. It would be speculated that favorable arterial healing with early strut coverage could be achieved. The present study investigated the degree of strut coverage using optical coherence tomography (OCT) 2 weeks after SYNERGY implantation and clinical factors contributing to strut coverage. A total of 29 patients who underwent staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to residual lesions 2 weeks after the index PCI with SYNERGY stent implantation were enrolled. At the time of staged PCI, OCT examinations of the SYNERGY stent were performed for conventional OCT analysis on both cross-sectional and strut level. SYNERGY stent showed a high level of strut coverage and apposition, and the percentage was 82.4 ± 12.4% and 96.2 ± 5.0%, respectively. The lesion complexity was significantly related to greater strut coverage on univariate analysis; however, it was found to be insignificant in multivariate analysis. Our findings suggest early arterial healing after SYNERGY stent implantation.

Predictors of Successful Weaning From Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation After Coronary Revascularization for Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiac Arrest: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

AIM: While veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) has been utilized to resuscitate and stabilize hemodynamics in patients of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiac arrest (CA), it is essential to predict the possibility of weaning from ECMO to determine further strategies, including use of ventricular assist device. We aimed to determine predictors of successful weaning from VA-ECMO in the early phase of ECMO treatment. METHODS: We identified consecutive patients of AMI complicated by CA treated with VA-ECMO and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Clinical data within 48 h after ECMO initiation were assessed and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of weaning outcome. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were analyzed. While 28 (51%) patients were successfully weaned from VA-ECMO, 27 (49%) failed to wean. Multivariate analysis identified post-PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade (P = 0.046), mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 4 h after ECMO initiation (P = 0.010), and serum lactate at 24 h (P = 0.015) as independent predictors of successful weaning. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 24 and 48 h was significantly greater in the successful weaning group (P = 0.014, P = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Successful weaning from VA-ECMO was predicted by post-PCI TIMI flow grade, MAP at 4 h, and serum lactate at 24 h after VA-ECMO initiation in patients of AMI complicated by CA. Furthermore, in patients who failed to wean from ECMO, LVEF did not recover within 48 h. In such patients, adjunctive use of other circulatory mechanical devices must be considered.

Predictors of in-hospital cardiac complications in patients with Takotsubo syndrome.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) has been recognized as a benign condition mainly due to its reversibility. However, recent researches have demonstrated that serious cardiac complications could occur during hospitalization. Thus, the aim of this study is to detect factors associated with in-hospital cardiac complications in patients with TTS. A total of 154 consecutive patients with TTS were enrolled retrospectively. In-hospital cardiac complications were observed in 61 patients (40%), including 44 patients with pulmonary edema (29%) and 25 patients with cardiogenic shock (16%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified lower systolic blood pressure on admission (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96-0.99, p = 0.001), history of diabetes mellitus (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.01-8.41, p = 0.04), and ß-blocker use before admission (OR 16.9, 95% CI 1.57-181.7, p = 0.006) as independent predictors of in-hospital cardiac complications, while chest pain at onset was identified as a negative predictor of cardiac complications during hospitalization (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07-0.55, p = 0.001). Patients with cardiac complications more often needed hemodynamic support and longer hospital stay than those without (21.2 ± 19.4 vs. 11.8 ± 16.8 days, p = 0.002). TTS should be no longer recognized as a benign disease, but requiring careful management. We should obtain vital signs and patient's medical history carefully as soon as possible after admission to predict in-hospital cardiac complications.

Impact of myocardial bridging on in-hospital outcome in patients with takotsubo syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in patients with takotsubo syndrome (TTS) has been demonstrated. However, the impact of myocardial bridging on in-hospital outcome has not been fully evaluated. METHODS: A total of 144 consecutive patients with TTS were enrolled. Coronary angiography and left ventriculography were performed in all patients and absence of obstructive coronary disease explaining the left ventricular contraction abnormality was confirmed. Myocardial bridging was diagnosed when a dynamic compression in systole, so-called "milking effect", was observed in the LAD. We evaluated differences in the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcome between patients with and without myocardial bridging. Furthermore, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to predict in-hospital death. RESULTS: Myocardial bridging was observed in 33 patients (23%). In-hospital death was more frequent in patients with myocardial bridging (21% vs. 6%, p=0.02), which was due mainly to a higher non-cardiac death in those patients (15% vs. 5%, p=0.049). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated myocardial bridging (odds ratio=12.0, 95% CI=2.52-78.5, p<0.01) as one of the independent predictors of in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: Myocardial bridging is an independent predictor of in-hospital death in patients with TTS.

Prevalence and Clinical Features of Focal Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Because it is difficult to distinguish between focal takotsubo cardiomyopathy and aborted myocardial infarction, there is little information about the prevalence and clinical features of focal takotsubo cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our cardiac catheterization databases were queried to identify patients with focal takotsubo cardiomyopathy and other types of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. We defined focal takotsubo cardiomyopathy as hypo-, a- or dyskinesis in both anterolateral and septal segments without obstructive coronary artery disease explaining the wall motion abnormality. A total of 10 patients were diagnosed with focal takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The control group comprised patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy with apical, mid-ventricular, or basal ballooning. Clinical features and in-hospital outcomes were compared between patients with focal takotsubo cardiomyopathy and those with other types of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Among the 144 patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, the apical, mid-ventricular, basal, and focal types occurred in 85 (59.0%), 49 (34.0%), 0 (0%), and 10 patients (6.9%), respectively. The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in the focal group compared with the apical and mid-ventricular group (56±13 vs. 45±13 vs. 46±12%, P=0.03). In-hospital outcome was not significantly different among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Focal takotsubo cardiomyopathy is not rare. Biplane left ventriculography is useful for its diagnosis. (Circ J 2016; 80: 1824-1829).