Impact of Canagliflozin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes after Hospitalization for Acute Heart Failure: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is one of the mayor contributors to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have demonstrated to reduce the risk of hospitalization for HF in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). We aimed to assess the risk for re-hospitalization in a cohort of patients hospitalized for HF according to whether or not they received canagliflozin at discharge, as well as changes in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) concentration during follow-up. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study at a tertiary centre including 102 consecutive T2D patients discharged for acute HF without contraindication for SGLT2 inhibitors. We compared adverse clinical events (HF rehospitalization and cardiovascular death) and NT-ProBNP changes according to canagliflozin prescription at discharge. RESULTS: Among the 102 patients included, 45 patients (44.1%) were prescribed canagliflozin and the remaining 57 (55.9%) were not prescribed any SGLT2 inhibitors (control group). After a median follow-up of 22 months, 45 patients (44.1%) were hospitalized for HF. Most of the rehospitalizations occurred during the first year (37.3%). HF readmission at first year occurred in 10 patients (22.2%) in the canagliflozin group and 29 patients (49.1%) in the control group (hazard ratio (HR): 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-0.96; p < 0.039). A composite outcome of hospitalization for HF or death from cardiovascular causes was lower in the canagliflozin group (37.8%) than in the control group (70.2%) (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.27-0.95; p < 0.035). Analysis of NT-ProBNP concentration showed an interaction between canagliflozin therapy and follow-up time (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Canagliflozin therapy at discharge was associated with a lower risk of readmission for HF and a reduction in NT-ProBNP concentration in patients with diabetes after hospitalization for HF.

Outcome implication of sex-related effective orifice area normalized to body size in aortic stenosis.

INTRODUCTION: Although several echocardiographic parameters have different values according to sex, there are no studies in echocardiographic variables of aortic stenosis (AS) severity. Our aim was to evaluate the sex-related prognosis of several echocardiographic parameters in AS. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-five patients with at least moderate AS (effective orifice area [EOA] ≤ 1.50 cm2 ) were prospectively enrolled. EOA was normalized to body surface area (BSA), height, and body mass index (BMI). Receiver operating characteristic curves, in women and men separately, were plotted to determine the best cutoff value for predicting cardiovascular death. RESULTS: The largest area under the curve (AUC) to predict cardiovascular death was EOA in men (AUC 0.74, P < .001) and EOA/height in women (AUC 0.81, P < .001). An EOA/height cutoff value of 0.55 cm2 /m in women had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 61%; a cutoff of 0.50 cm2 /m in men obtained a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 56%. During a mean follow-up of 247 ± 183 days, there were 33 cardiovascular deaths. Women with EOA/height ≤ 0.55 cm2 /m had higher cardiovascular mortality (22% vs 0%, P < .001) and men with EOA/height ≤ 0.50 cm2 /m (21% vs 2%, P < .001). One-year survival in women with EOA/height ≤ 0.55 cm2 /m was 67 ± 8% and 100 ± 0% in EOA/height > 0.55 cm2 /m (P < .001). In men, 1-year survival was 70 ± 8% in EOA/height ≤ 0.50 cm2 /m, and 93 ± 6% in EOA/height > 0.50 cm2 /m (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Normalization of EOA is useful in AS, especially in women. We recommend using an EOA/height cutoff value of 0.55 cm2 /m in women, and 0.50 cm2 /m in men to identify a subgroup with higher cardiovascular risk.

[Impact of COVID-19 on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care. The Spanish experience]. / Impacto de la COVID-19 en el tratamiento del infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST. La experiencia española.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 outbreak has had an unclear impact on the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to assess changes in STEMI management during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: Using a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective, observational registry of consecutive patients who were managed in 75 specific STEMI care centers in Spain, we compared patient and procedural characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in 2 different cohorts with 30-day follow-up according to whether the patients had been treated before or after COVID-19. RESULTS: Suspected STEMI patients treated in STEMI networks decreased by 27.6% and patients with confirmed STEMI fell from 1305 to 1009 (22.7%). There were no differences in reperfusion strategy (> 94% treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in both cohorts). Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak had a longer ischemic time (233 [150-375] vs 200 [140-332] minutes, P < .001) but showed no differences in the time from first medical contact to reperfusion. In-hospital mortality was higher during COVID-19 (7.5% vs 5.1%; unadjusted OR, 1.50; 95%CI, 1.07-2.11; P < .001); this association remained after adjustment for confounders (risk-adjusted OR, 1.88; 95%CI, 1.12-3.14; P = .017). In the 2020 cohort, there was a 6.3% incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The number of STEMI patients treated during the current COVID-19 outbreak fell vs the previous year and there was an increase in the median time from symptom onset to reperfusion and a significant 2-fold increase in the rate of in-hospital mortality. No changes in reperfusion strategy were detected, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention performed for the vast majority of patients. The co-existence of STEMI and SARS-CoV-2 infection was relatively infrequent.

Impact of COVID-19 on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care. The Spanish experience.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 outbreak has had an unclear impact on the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to assess changes in STEMI management during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: Using a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective, observational registry of consecutive patients who were managed in 75 specific STEMI care centers in Spain, we compared patient and procedural characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in 2 different cohorts with 30-day follow-up according to whether the patients had been treated before or after COVID-19. RESULTS: Suspected STEMI patients treated in STEMI networks decreased by 27.6% and patients with confirmed STEMI fell from 1305 to 1009 (22.7%). There were no differences in reperfusion strategy (> 94% treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in both cohorts). Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak had a longer ischemic time (233 [150-375] vs 200 [140-332] minutes, P<.001) but showed no differences in the time from first medical contact to reperfusion. In-hospital mortality was higher during COVID-19 (7.5% vs 5.1%; unadjusted OR, 1.50; 95%CI, 1.07-2.11; P <.001); this association remained after adjustment for confounders (risk-adjusted OR, 1.88; 95%CI, 1.12-3.14; P=.017). In the 2020 cohort, there was a 6.3% incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The number of STEMI patients treated during the current COVID-19 outbreak fell vs the previous year and there was an increase in the median time from symptom onset to reperfusion and a significant 2-fold increase in the rate of in-hospital mortality. No changes in reperfusion strategy were detected, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention performed for the vast majority of patients. The co-existence of STEMI and SARS-CoV-2 infection was relatively infrequent.

Bifurcation lesions involved in the recanalization process of coronary chronic total occlusions: Incidence, treatment and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a bifurcation (BL) in the context of a coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) represents an additional difficulty. This study analyzes the incidence of BLs in CTO recanalization, the treatment, predictors of bifurcation technical success and their clinical impact. METHODS AND RESULTS: BLs with a side branch (SB) ≥2.0mm located proximally, distally or within the occluded segment were observed in 130 (33%) of 391 CTO. Provisional stenting was the strategy more frequently used (94%). Bifurcation success (stenosis <30% in main vessel and TIMI flow III in both branches) was achieved in 105 patients (81%). In the remaining 25 (19%), the TIMI flow at the SB was

Treatment of a Coronary Bifurcation Lesion Using One Dedicated Sirolimus Eluting Bifurcation Stent in Combination with a Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold: A Novel Option for Coronary Bifurcation Approach.

We present a complex bifurcation lesion treated with a new two-stent strategy combining a dedicated sirolimus eluting bifurcation stent, BiOSS Lim, with a bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS). The advantages of this strategy compared with the conventional two-stent approach are as follows: the dedicated stent protects the carina from being damaged, the large cell at the middle zone of the BiOSS Lim gives possibility to enter easily into the side branch (SB) with any standard size conventional device, and, finally, the additional use of BVS in the SB could have a long-term benefit in terms of restenosis.

Paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty for de novo coronary lesions: a long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Paclitaxel-coated balloons (PCB) have been demonstrated to be successful for the treatment of in-stent restenosis. Although their role in the treatment of de novo lesions has not been fully clarified, they are often used for this indication. This prospective study evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of the SeQuent® Please PCB (B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany) angioplasty for de novo coronary lesions in routine real-world practice. METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2012, all consecutive patients with de novo coronary lesions treated with the SeQuent® Please PCB at our institution were included. The primary endpoint was the clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate at 36 months. The secondary endpoint was the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE: cardiac death, myocardial infarction [MI], and TLR). RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with 56 lesions were included. The mean reference vessel diameter was 2.4±0.4 mm and the mean target lesion length was 18.1±6.2 mm. Procedural success was 98.2%. Coronary dissection occurred in 7 patients (12.5%) and no vessel thrombosis was documented. Additional BMS was implanted in 14 target lesions (25%). Follow-up rate was 94.3%. The TLR rate at 36 months was 5.4%. The MACE rate was 8.9%, with 1.8 % cardiac death and 3.6% MI. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of de novo coronary lesions with the SeQuent® Please PCB provides good clinical outcomes demonstrated by the low TLR rate and low MACE rates at long-term follow-up.

[Previous restenosis as a prognostic indicator in new conventional stent implantation at a different location]. / El comportamiento reestenótico previo como predictor pronóstico ante nueva implantación de stent convencional en distinta localización.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine whether data on restenosis of a previous stent are useful for predicting outcome in patients who need to undergo a second conventional stent implantation at a different location because of coronary disease progression. METHODS: The study included 80 patients who, during 2000-2004, underwent a second conventional (i.e., not drug-eluting) stent implantation for de novo lesions at a different location to that of the previous stent. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or the need for target lesion revascularization (TLR). RESULTS: One year after the second procedure, the cumulative incidence of MACE was significantly higher in patients who experienced significant restenosis of the previous stent than in those who did not (40.6% vs 12.5%, P=.004). Univariate predictors of MACE were: evidence of previous stent restenosis, previous myocardial infarction, and a small vessel (< or =2.75 mm). However, the only independent predictor (Cox regression) of a MACE was previous stent restenosis (hazard ratio 3.85, 95% confidence interval, 1.46-10.18; P=.007). At one year, the TLR rate was also higher in patients with previous stent restenosis (31.3% vs 8.3%; P=.008), in those with small vessels, and in diabetics. Previous stent restenosis and a small vessel were independent predictors of TLR. CONCLUSIONS: Restenosis of a previous stent is a strong predictor of major adverse events in patients undergoing a second conventional stent implantation at a different location because of coronary disease progression.

Deceleration time of early filling in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: functional and prognostic independent value.

BACKGROUND: Although diastolic function parameters have been mentioned as significant predictors of functional capacity and prognosis in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, it has not been fully elucidated whether they keep an independent predictive value when multiple parameters from a wide variety of examinations are considered. METHODS: We prospectively studied 60 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV chronic heart failure symptoms and LV ejection fraction <0.4. At the time of entry into the study, demographic data and functional class were obtained, and usual Doppler echocardiographic, radionuclide ventriculographic, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and hemodynamic variables were determined. Deceleration time of early filling (DT) and NYHA functional class were the only independent predictors of functional capacity as assessed by means of peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2). Mean follow-up was 21 +/- 6 months, and event-free survival was defined as the absence of cardiac death, urgent cardiac transplantation, or hospital admission requiring inotropic or mechanical support. RESULTS: Multivariate Cox analysis showed that DT (P =.008), peak VO2 (P =.01), and NYHA class (P =.02) were independent predictors of event-free survival at 1 year. Patients in the lowest tertile of DT (<130 ms) had a significantly lower event-free survival than patients in the intermediate (44% vs 80%, P =.03) and in the highest tertile (44% vs 83%, P =.02). Patients with both a DT <130 milliseconds and a peak VO2 <14 mL/kg/min had the highest rate of events at 1 year (83% vs 22% for the remaining patients, relative risk 3.75, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LV systolic dysfunction, DT is a powerful independent predictor of functional capacity and prognosis among a wide variety of variables. A shortened DT (<130 ms) identifies a subgroup of patients with a worse outcome, especially when combined with a reduced peak VO2 (<14 mL/kg/min).