Periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury in elective coronary stenting.

Aims: To assess the incidence, risk factors and prognosis of periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) and myocardial injury in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods and results: We included all consecutive patients who underwent elective PCI with a negative troponin level at admission from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2015. The primary endpoint was defined as the composite of periprocedural MI (Type 4a MI), stent thrombosis (Type 4b MI), and myocardial injury according to the Third universal definition of MI. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of periprocedural MI and myocardial injury and its relation to 30-day and 1-year clinical outcome. Of the 1390 elective PCI patients, the primary endpoint occurred in 28.7% of patients, including 7.0% of Type 4a MI, 0.14% of Type 4b MI, and 21.6% of myocardial injury. Independent risk factors for the occurrence of the primary endpoint were left main PCI, total stent length >30 mm, multiple stenting, chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min) and age >75 years. At 30 days, patients with periprocedural MI and myocardial injury had a higher rate of cardiovascular events [5.5% vs. 1.2%, adjusted hazard ratio (adjHR) = 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-6.9; P < 0.001] mainly driven by ischaemic events (3.2% vs. 0.6%, HR 5.9, 95% CI 2.9-20; P < 0.0001). At 1-year, the risk of ischemic events remained higher in the periprocedural MI and myocardial injury group (adjHR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6; P = 0.004). Conclusions: Periprocedural MI and injury are frequent complications of elective PCI associated with an increased rate of cardiovascular events at 30 days and 1 year.

Heparin or enoxaparin anticoagulation for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare efficacy and safety outcomes among patients receiving enoxaparin or unfractionated heparin (UFH) while undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). BACKGROUND: Primary PCI (pPCI) for ST elevation has traditionally been supported by UFH. The low molecular weight heparin enoxaparin may provide better outcomes when used for pPCI. METHODS: Consecutive eligible patients (580) undergoing pPCI enrolled in the prospective electronic Pitié-Salpêtrière registry of ischemic coronary syndromes (e-PARIS) registry were grouped according to whether they received UFH or enoxaparin as the sole anticoagulant. Logistic regression modeling, propensity-weighted adjustment, and sensitivity analyses were used to evaluate efficacy and safety endpoints for enoxaparin vs. UFH. RESULTS: Enoxaparin was administered to 346 patients and UFH to 234 without ACT or anti-Xa guided dose adjustment. PCI was performed through the radial artery in 90%, with frequent (75%) use of GPIIb/IIIa antagonists. Patients receiving enoxaparin were more likely to be therapeutically anticoagulated during the procedure (68% vs. 50%, P < 0.0001) and were less likely to experience death or recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) in hospital (adjusted OR 0.28 95% CI (0.12-0.68) or by 30 days (adjusted OR 0.35 95% CI 0.16-0.81). All cause mortality was also reduced in hospital (adjusted OR 0.32, 95% CI (0.12-0.85) and to 30 days (adjusted OR 0.40 95% CI 0.17-0.99). Other ischemic endpoints were similarly reduced with enoxaparin. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) major bleeding events were numerically fewer among patients receiving enoxaparin (1.2% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with STEMI presenting for PCI, enoxaparin was associated with a reduction in all ischemic complications, more frequent therapeutic anticoagulation, and no increase in major bleeding when compared against unfractionated heparin. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Acute Multivessel Coronary Occlusion Revealing COVID-19 in a Young Adult.

A 42-year-old man was admitted for an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction revealing an acute thrombosis of the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries. Following this acute multivessel coronary occlusion in a young individual at low cardiovascular risk, he tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Immediate vs delayed intervention for acute coronary syndromes: a randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT: International guidelines recommend an early invasive strategy for patients with high-risk acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation, but the optimal timing of intervention is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether immediate intervention on admission can result in a reduction of myocardial infarction compared with a delayed intervention. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: The Angioplasty to Blunt the Rise of Troponin in Acute Coronary Syndromes Randomized for an Immediate or Delayed Intervention (ABOARD) study, a randomized clinical trial that assigned, from August 2006 through September 2008 at 13 centers in France, 352 patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation and a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score of 3 or more to receive intervention either immediately or on the next working day (between 8 and 60 hours after enrollment). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was the peak troponin value during hospitalization; the key secondary end point was the composite of death, myocardial infarction, or urgent revascularization at 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: Time from randomization to sheath insertion was 70 minutes with immediate intervention vs 21 hours with delayed intervention. The primary end point did not differ between the 2 strategies (median [interquartile range] troponin I value, 2.1 [0.3-7.1] ng/mL vs 1.7 [0.3-7.2] ng/mL in the immediate and delayed intervention groups, respectively; P = .70). The key secondary end point was observed in 13.7% (95% confidence interval, 8.6%-18.8%) of the group assigned to receive immediate intervention and 10.2% (95% confidence interval, 5.7%-14.6%) of the group assigned to receive delayed intervention (P = .31). The other end points, as well as major bleeding, did not differ between the 2 strategies. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation, a strategy of immediate intervention compared with a strategy of intervention deferred to the next working day (mean, 21 hours) did not result in a difference in myocardial infarction as defined by peak troponin level. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00442949.

On- Versus Off-Hours Presentation and Mortality of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated With Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to assess the association between admission time with patient's care, procedure characteristics, and clinical outcomes within a contemporary ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) network of patients referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: The effect of admission time on STEMI patient's outcomes remains controversial when primary PCI is the preferred reperfusion strategy. METHODS: Characteristics and clinical outcomes of 2,167 consecutive STEMI patients admitted in a tertiary PCI-capable center were collected. On-hours were defined as admission from Monday through Friday between 8 am and 6 pm and off-hours as admission during night shift, weekend, and nonworking holidays. In-hospital and 1-year all-cause mortality were assessed as well as key time delays. RESULTS: A total of 1,048 patients (48.3%) were admitted during on-hours, and 1,119 patients (51.7%) during off-hours. Characteristics were well-balanced between the 2 groups, including rates of cardiac arrest (7.9% vs. 8.8%; p = 0.55) and cardiogenic shock (12.3% vs. 14.7%; p = 0.16). Median symptom-to-first medical contact time and median first medical contact-to-sheath insertion time did not differ according to on- versus off-hours admission (120 min vs. 126 min; p = 0.25 and 90 min vs. 93 min; p = 0.58, respectively), as well as the rate of radial access for catheterization (85.6% vs. 87.5%; p = 0.27). There was no association between on- versus off-hours groups and in-hospital (8.1% vs. 7.0%; p = 0.49) or 1-year mortality (11.0% vs. 11.1%; p = 0.89), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary organized STEMI network, patients admitted in a high-volume tertiary primary PCI center during on-hours or off-hours had similar management and 1-year outcomes.

Intravenous Enoxaparin Versus Unfractionated Heparin in Elderly Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: An Analysis of the Randomized ATOLL Trial.

Elderly (≥75 years old) patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have higher ischemic and bleeding risk compared with those <75 years old. We investigated the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) enoxaparin versus IV unfractionated heparin (UFH) in elderly patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for STEMI. A prespecified analysis of the Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated with Primary Angioplasty and Intravenous Enoxaparin or Unfractionated Heparin to Lower Ischemic and Bleeding Events at Short- and Long-term Follow-up (ATOLL) study was performed examining the 30-day outcomes in the elderly patients. Of the 165 elderly patients in the ATOLL study, 85 patients received IV enoxaparin 0.5 mg/kg and 80 patients received IV UFH. Intravenous enoxaparin did not reduce the primary end point, the main secondary efficacy end point, major bleeding, major or minor bleeding, and all-cause mortality compared with IV UFH. The rate of minor bleeding (5.9% vs 22.8%, P adjusted = .01) was significantly lower with IV enoxaparin compared with IV UFH. Intravenous enoxaparin appears to be a safe alternative to IV UFH in primary PCI of the elderly patients with STEMI.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST elevation myocardial infarction in nonagenarians.

OBJECTIVE: To assess outcomes following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) in nonagenarian patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre retrospective study between 2006 and 2013 in five international high-volume centres and included consecutive all-comer nonagenarians treated with primary PCI for STEMI. There were no exclusion criteria. We enrolled 145 patients and collected demographic, clinical and procedural data. Severe clinical events and mortality at 6 months and 1 year were assessed. RESULTS: Cardiogenic shock was present at admission in 21%. Median (IQR) delay between symptom onset and balloon was 3.7 (2.4-5.6) hours and 60% of procedures were performed through the transradial approach. Successful revascularisation of the culprit vessel was obtained in 86% of the cases (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow of 2 or 3). Major or clinically relevant bleeding was observed in 4% of patients. Median left ventricular ejection fraction post PCI was 41.5% (32.0-50.0). The in-hospital mortality was 24%, with 6 months and 1-year survival rates of 61% and 53%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, primary PCI in nonagenarians with STEMI was achieved and feasible through a transradial approach. It is associated with a high rate of reperfusion of the infarct-related artery and 53% survival at 1 year. These results suggest that primary PCI may be offered in selected nonagenarians with acute myocardial infarction.

Enoxaparin in unstable angina patients who would have been excluded from randomized pivotal trials.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, we describe the characteristics and examine the anticoagulation levels and safety of subcutaneous enoxaparin in unstable angina (UA)/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients who would not have been eligible in the Efficacy Safety Subcutaneous Enoxaparin in Non-Q-wave Coronary Events (ESSENCE) and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI)-11B trials. BACKGROUND: It is not known whether the benefit shown with enoxaparin in the selected population of pivotal trials can be extended to the real world. METHODS: In our center, all patients with UA/NSTEMI are anticoagulated with subcutaneous enoxaparin adjusted to creatinine clearance. Among 515 consecutive patients, we identified 174 who would not have been eligible for ESSENCE or TIMI-11B ("EP" group for excluded patients). We evaluated cardiovascular death or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), as well as major and minor bleeding events, at 30 days in the EP group and in patients without any of the exclusion criteria ("NEP" group for non-excluded patients). RESULTS: This EP group was older, had a higher female/male ratio, and more frequently had a history of MI or a diagnosis of non-Q MI on admission than the NEP group. The distribution of the anti-Xa activity was similar in both groups. The bleeding rates (major and minor) at 30 days were similar in the EP and NEP groups (2.3% vs. 2.9%, respectively, P = NS). On multivariate analysis, the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and the presence of hypertension were the only independent predictors of bleeding found in the whole population. Compared with the NEP group, the EP group had a fourfold increased rate of death or MI at 30 days (15.5% vs. 4.1%, p < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, the independent predictors of death or MI at 30 days were NSTEMI on admission, creatinine clearance, and heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who do not fit the enrollment criteria of ESSENCE/TIMI-11B have higher risk baseline characteristics for both bleeding and ischemic events. In these patients, enoxaparin with dose adjustment to creatinine clearance provides adequate anti-Xa levels and no excess of bleeding.

Eptifibatide provides additional platelet inhibition in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients already treated with aspirin and clopidogrel. Results of the platelet activity extinction in non-Q-wave myocardial infarction with aspirin, clopidogrel, and eptifibatide (PEACE) study.

OBJECTIVES: The present study hypothesis was that eptifibatide offered further antiplatelet efficacy above clopidogrel in non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients before an expeditive coronary intervention. BACKGROUND: Although thienopyridines and glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists are often co-prescribed in the context of NSTEMI, the antiplatelet interaction of these agents is poorly described and the superiority of GP IIb/IIIa antagonists above thienopyridine treatment alone is not clear. METHOD: Thirty-two NSTEMI patients treated with aspirin and enoxaparin were studied using flow cytometry to define parameters of platelet activation with a panel of agonists before clopidogrel, after clopidogrel, and during an eptifibatide infusion following the clopidogrel load. RESULTS: After platelet activation with adenosine diphosphate, thrombin receptor-activating peptide, or U46-619, relative reductions in conformationally activated GP IIb/IIIa receptor expression (evaluated with PAC-1) of 48%, 43%, and 33%, respectively (all p < 0.0001), were seen with clopidogrel, but further 80%, 78%, and 72% (all p < 0.0001) reductions were seen with eptifibatide. With the same agonists, fibrinogen binding was significantly reduced after clopidogrel by 70%, 64%, and 81% (all p < 0.0001) and again further reduced with eptifibatide by 90%, 95%, and 69% (all p < 0.0001). The total number of GP IIb/IIIa receptors (measured as P2 expression) and P-selectin expression fell after clopidogrel, after ex vivo stimulation with the same agonists; however, both parameters increased slightly during the eptifibatide infusion. CONCLUSIONS: The activated GP IIb/IIIa expression and fibrinogen binding findings indicate that eptifibatide provides significant potent antiplatelet activity above aspirin and clopidogrel, suggesting additive immediate protection in the treatment of NSTEMI. The P2 and P-selectin findings suggest the possibility of a partial agonist and/or pro-inflammatory effect.

A unique, low dose of intravenous enoxaparin in elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to examine a unique and low dose of intravenous enoxaparin in elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) that would be applicable to an unselected population regardless of age, weight, renal function, or use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. BACKGROUND: There is limited experience of anticoagulation using intravenous (IV) low-molecular-weight heparin in PCI, which has been obtained with high doses causing elevated anticoagulation levels and delayed sheath withdrawal. METHODS: A total of 242 consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI were treated with a single IV bolus of enoxaparin (0.5 mg/kg), and 26% of patients (n = 64) also received eptifibatide. Sheaths were removed immediately after the procedure in patients treated with enoxaparin only, and 4 h after the procedure in those also treated with eptifibatide. RESULTS: A peak anti-Xa >0.5 IU/ml was obtained in 97.5% of the population, and 94.6% of patients had their peak anti-Xa level in the predefined target range of 0.5 to 1.5 IU/ml. Advanced age, renal failure, being overweight, and eptifibatide use did not alter the anticoagulation profile. At one-month follow-up, six patients (2.5%) had died, had a myocardial infarction, or undergone an urgent revascularization; all the patients had an anti-Xa level >0.5 IU/ml during PCI. Patients without an ischemic event and without a creatine kinase rise, but with a detectable troponin release in the next 24 h of PCI (>2 microg/ml, n = 21), had similar anti-Xa levels as those without troponin elevation. There were one major and three minor bleeding events that were not associated with anti-Xa overshoot. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose (0.5 mg/kg) IV enoxaparin allows a prespecified target level of anticoagulation (anti-Xa >0.5 IU/ml) in the vast majority of patients undergoing PCI, appears to be safe and effective, allows immediate sheath removal when used alone, and does not require dose adjustment when used with eptifibatide.

[Anti-thrombotic therapy of acute coronary syndromes without ST elevation]. / Traitement antithrombotique des syndromes coronariens aigus sans sus-décalage de ST.

Unstable angina is the most frequent acute coronary syndrome. Risk stratification to predict coronary morbidity and mortality and the risk of major hemorrhage is the key element of the medical approach. Combined antithrombotic therapy (including aspirin, clopidogrel, low-molecular-weight heparin and, possibly, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists) has led to a substantial reduction in major coronary events; tolerance is good because the treatment is brief and aggressive. Combined antithrombotic therapy also increases the benefit of early invasive strategies including coronary angiogram with stent-based percutaneous coronary angioplasty.

Impact of renal failure on all-cause mortality and other outcomes in patients treated by percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Patients with renal failure (RF) have been systematically excluded from clinical trials; consequently their outcomes have not been well studied in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). AIMS: To compare cardiovascular outcomes after contemporary PCI in patients with versus without RF, according to clinical presentation (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], acute coronary syndrome [ACS] or stable coronary artery disease [sCAD]). METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing PCI with stent were prospectively included from 2007 to 2012. RF was defined as creatinine clearance<60mL/min. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality; secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke and target lesion revascularization [TLR]), TLR and Academic Research Consortium definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST) at 1 year. RESULTS: Among 5337 patients, 23% had PCI for STEMI, 34% for ACS and 43% for sCAD, while 27% had RF. RF patients had a higher unadjusted death rate than those with preserved renal function (nRF) in all PCI indication groups (STEMI, 41% vs. 7.5%; ACS, 19% vs. 6%; sCAD, 10% vs. 3%; P<0.0001 for all). The rate of MACCE was also higher in RF patients whatever the PCI indication (STEMI, 45% vs. 15%; ACS, 23% vs. 14%; sCAD, 14% vs. 9%; P<0.05 for all). Rates of TLR (5.5-7.4%) and ST (<2.5%) were similar (P>0.05 for both). sCAD-RF and STEMI-nRF patients had similar rates of mortality (P=0.209) and MACCE (P=0.658). RF was independently associated with mortality, with a doubled relative risk in STEMI versus ACS and sCAD groups (odds ratio 5.3, 95% confidence interval 3.627-7.821 vs. 2.1, 1.465-3.140 and 2.3, 1.507-3.469, respectively; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: RF is a stronger independent predictor of death after PCI in STEMI than in ACS or sCAD patients. sCAD-RF and STEMI-nRF patients had similar prognoses.

Sex-related differences after contemporary primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Whether outcomes differ for women and men after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains controversial. AIM: To compare 1-year outcomes after primary PCI in women and men with STEMI, matched for age and diabetes. METHODS: Consecutive women with STEMI of<24 hours' duration referred (August 2007 to January 2011) for primary PCI were compared with men matched for age and diabetes. Rates of all-cause mortality, target vessel revascularization (TVR) and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (death/myocardial infarction/stroke) were assessed at 1 year. RESULTS: Among 775 consecutive patients, 182 (23.5%) women were compared with 182 matched men. Mean age was 69±15 years, 18% had diabetes. Patient characteristics were similar, except for lower creatinine clearance (73±41 vs 82±38 µmol/L; P=0.041), more cardiogenic shock (14.8% vs 6.6%; P=0.017) and less radial PCI (81.3% vs 90.1%; P=0.024) in women. Rates of 1-year death (22.7% vs 18.1%), TVR (8.3% vs 6.0%) and MACCE (24.3% vs 20.9%) were not statistically different in women (P>0.05 for all). After exclusion of patients with shock (10.7%) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (6.6%), death rates were even more similar (11.3% vs 11.8%; P=0.10). Female sex was not independently associated with death (odds ratio 1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.55-1.87; P=0.97). CONCLUSION: In our consecutive unselected patient population, women had similar 1-year outcomes to men matched for age and diabetes, after contemporary primary PCI for STEMI, despite having a higher risk profile at baseline.

Comparison of effects on markers of blood cell activation of enoxaparin, dalteparin, and unfractionated heparin in patients with unstable angina pectoris or non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (the ARMADA study).

The low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) enoxaparin and dalteparin have shown superior and equivalent efficacy, respectively, over unfractionated heparin (UFH) in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). This study aimed to identify markers of blood cell activation that are independent predictors of outcomes at 1 month and to compare the effects of enoxaparin, dalteparin, and UFH on any such markers. In this multicenter, prospective, open-label study, 141 patients with UAP or NSTEMI were randomized to treatment for 48 to 120 hours with enoxaparin (n = 46), dalteparin (n = 48), or UFH (n = 47). Blood samples were taken at the time of randomization and after > or =48 hours of treatment but before catheterization. Multivariate analysis identified increased plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and decreased platelet levels of glycoprotein Ib/IX complexes as independent predictors of 1-month adverse outcome (a composite of death, myocardial infarction, and recurrent ischemia). vWF release was strongly related to and may have been released by inflammation as measured by C-reactive protein. Both LMWHs reduced the release of vWF in plasma (as well as C-reactive protein) compared with UFH. Enoxaparin had a more favorable effect on glycoprotein Ib/IX complexes than either dalteparin or UFH. The incidence of the composite clinical efficacy end point was: 13% (enoxaparin), 19% (dalteparin), and 28% (UFH). vWF and its receptor glycoprotein Ib/IX play a key role in acute coronary syndromes. vWF is linked to inflammation and, like glycoprotein Ib/IX, is affected more favorably by the LWMHs than by UFH.

Prognosis of moderate coronary artery lesions in heart transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in our understanding of allograft vasculopathy, little is known about the evolution of moderate coronary lesions in heart transplant recipients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 58 heart transplant patients undergoing annual coronary angiography who demonstrated a moderate lesion (>30% and <60% diameter stenosis) on any routine annual study. In an attempt to find criteria that could distinguish such patients who were at high risk of disease progression from those at low risk, we reviewed the clinical and biologic features and angiographic and clinical outcomes of patients with and without lesion progression at 1 year. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients who had an initially moderate coronary lesion, 28 (48%) showed progression of the lesion at angiography 1 year later (occlusion of the culprit vessel or progression to a severe lesion >60%) that required revascularization (angioplasty or bypass surgery). The 30 remaining patients showed no lesion progression. At the time of the first angiogram the only criterion which could predict lesion progression at 1 year was the presence of multi-vessel disease (p < 0.0001). Prognosis for these patients was poorer than in those with no disease progression, with a higher proportion of revascularization and sudden death (p < 0.001). Patients without lesion progression at 1 year had neither clinical events nor significant subsequent lesion progression during a mean follow-up of 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a moderate coronary stenosis in heart transplant patients justifies a repeat angiogram 1 year later. The use of percutaneous coronary angioplasty in such patients has not been validated, but may be an option to delay or prevent progression to coronary occlusion.

Triple vessel stenting for triple vessel coronary disease.

BACKGROUND: Randomized clinical trials have established the feasibility of implanting multiple coronary stents and, in selected patients, have measured survival after multiple stenting to be comparable to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). However, the proportion of candidates for this therapy is unclear. this prospective study was performed to measure the percentage of patients eligible for elective multiple stenting of triple vessel coronary artery disease and to examine their short- and intermediate-term outcomes. METHODS: Between January 1996 and January 1999, percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) were performed in 6,810 consecutive patients, of whom 115 (1.7%) had triple vessel coronary artery disease treated with > or =3 stents. The mean age of these patients was 62.9 years (range, 35-85 years), 83% were men and 13 patients (11%) were diabetic. The treatment was performed in a single procedure in 80% of patients and 362 vessels were dilated, including the left anterior descending artery in 85%, the right coronary artery in 84%, the left circumflex in 49%, the left diagonal artery in 27%, the posterior descending artery in 8% and the posterior lateral artery in 4% of patients. RESULTS: A total of 483 stents were implanted, representing an average of 4.2 +/- 1.4 stents per patients (range, 3-10 stents). The total length of stents averaged 66.9 +/- 4.9 mm. In-hospital adverse events included 2 deaths (1.7%), 2 emergency CABG (1.7%) and 5 myocardial infarctions (4.3%). The mean hospitalization duration was 2.7 +/- 2.2 days. During a follow-up ranging between 1 and 36 months (mean, 16.7 months), 2 patients died (1.7%), 2 patients underwent CABG (1.7%) and 22 patients (19.1%) underwent further coronary artery dilatations. The 3-year event-free survival was 71.3%. In univariate analysis, patients who underwent additional target vessel revascularization were younger and were more likely to have stented segments > 80 mm in the index procedure. No other clinical, angiographic or procedural characteristic was predictive of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this consecutive series of patients undergoing elective PCI, candidates for stenting of > or =3 arteries were few. Most eligible patients underwent uncomplicated and immediately successful procedures. The long-term outcome was comparable to controlled studies of CABG, except for a higher rate of repeat revascularization procedures due to restenosis.

[Platelet aggregation and antiplatelet agents in acute coronary syndromes]. / L'agrégation plaquettaire et ses inhibiteurs dans les syndromes coronariens aigus.

Antiplatelet agents are the cornerstone therapy of acute coronary syndromes. In the setting of ST elevation myocardial infarction, antiplatelet therapy prevent the prothrombotic effect of reperfusion therapy including thrombolysis and primary percutaneous coronary intervention. In non ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes, antiplatelet therapy prevent s complete coronary thrombotic occlusion and therefore the occurrence of ST elevation myocardial infarction. Antiplatelet agent benefit is related to the patient's risk profile. It is well established that combined antiplatelet therapy is the most effective in high risk patients. Several important issues have to be faced including the identification of non responders, dose adjustment and the management of temporary interruption of antiplatelet agents in stable coronary artery disease patients.

[Medical treatment of acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation]. / Traitement médical des syndromes coronaires aigus sans sus-décalage de ST.

Unstable angina is the most frequent acute coronary syndrome. Risk stratification to predict coronary morbidity and mortality and the risk of major haemorrhage are the key steps of the medical approach. Combined antithrombotic therapy (including aspirin, clopidogrel, low-molecular weight heparins and, eventually glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists) has led to a substantial reduction of major coronary events with a good tolerance because of the short duration of such aggressive strategy. This combined antithrombotic also allowed to increase the benefit of an early invasive strategy including coronary angiogram with stent percutaneous coronary angioplasty.

Aortic valve perforation following transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy.

We report the case of a 47-year-old man with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who underwent transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy and developed severe aortic regurgitation after the procedure. Intra-operatively, we found a wide perforation of the noncoronary cusp, and performed aortic valve replacement.