Duration of Device-Based Fever Prevention after Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend active fever prevention for 72 hours after cardiac arrest. Data from randomized clinical trials of this intervention have been lacking. METHODS: We randomly assigned comatose patients who had been resuscitated after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac cause to device-based temperature control targeting 36°C for 24 hours followed by targeting of 37°C for either 12 or 48 hours (for total intervention times of 36 and 72 hours, respectively) or until the patient regained consciousness. The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause or hospital discharge with a Cerebral Performance Category of 3 or 4 (range, 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating more severe disability; a category of 3 or 4 indicates severe cerebral disability or coma) within 90 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes included death from any cause and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (range, 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive ability) at 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 393 patients were randomly assigned to temperature control for 36 hours, and 396 patients were assigned to temperature control for 72 hours. At 90 days after randomization, a primary end-point event had occurred in 127 of 393 patients (32.3%) in the 36-hour group and in 133 of 396 patients (33.6%) in the 72-hour group (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.77 to 1.26; P = 0.70) and mortality was 29.5% in the 36-hour group and 30.3% in the 72-hour group. At 3 months, the median Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was 26 (interquartile range, 24 to 29) and 27 (interquartile range, 24 to 28), respectively. There was no significant between-group difference in the incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Active device-based fever prevention for 36 or 72 hours after cardiac arrest did not result in significantly different percentages of patients dying or having severe disability or coma. (Funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation; BOX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03141099.).

Blood-Pressure Targets in Comatose Survivors of Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Evidence to support the choice of blood-pressure targets for the treatment of comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who are receiving intensive care is limited. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design, we evaluated a mean arterial blood-pressure target of 63 mm Hg as compared with 77 mm Hg in comatose adults who had been resuscitated after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac cause; patients were also assigned to one of two oxygen targets (reported separately). The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause or hospital discharge with a Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) of 3 or 4 within 90 days (range, 0 to 5, with higher categories indicating more severe disability; a category of 3 or 4 indicates severe disability or coma). Secondary outcomes included neuron-specific enolase levels at 48 hours, death from any cause, scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (range, 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive ability) and the modified Rankin scale (range, 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability) at 3 months, and the CPC at 3 months. RESULTS: A total of 789 patients were included in the analysis (393 in the high-target group and 396 in the low-target group). A primary-outcome event occurred in 133 patients (34%) in the high-target group and in 127 patients (32%) in the low-target group (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 1.37; P = 0.56). At 90 days, 122 patients (31%) in the high-target group and 114 patients (29%) in the low-target group had died (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.46). The median CPC was 1 (interquartile range, 1 to 5) in both the high-target group and the low-target group; the corresponding median modified Rankin scale scores were 1 (interquartile range, 0 to 6) and 1 (interquartile range, 0 to 6), and the corresponding median Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores were 27 (interquartile range, 24 to 29) and 26 (interquartile range, 24 to 29). The median neuron-specific enolase level at 48 hours was also similar in the two groups. The percentages of patients with adverse events did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting a mean arterial blood pressure of 77 mm Hg or 63 mm Hg in patients who had been resuscitated from cardiac arrest did not result in significantly different percentages of patients dying or having severe disability or coma. (Funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation; BOX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03141099.).

Oxygen Targets in Comatose Survivors of Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: The appropriate oxygenation target for mechanical ventilation in comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is unknown. METHODS: In this randomized trial with a 2-by-2 factorial design, we randomly assigned comatose adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a 1:1 ratio to either a restrictive oxygen target of a partial pressure of arterial oxygen (Pao2) of 9 to 10 kPa (68 to 75 mm Hg) or a liberal oxygen target of a Pao2 of 13 to 14 kPa (98 to 105 mm Hg); patients were also assigned to one of two blood-pressure targets (reported separately). The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause or hospital discharge with severe disability or coma (Cerebral Performance Category [CPC] of 3 or 4; categories range from 1 to 5, with higher values indicating more severe disability), whichever occurred first within 90 days after randomization. Secondary outcomes were neuron-specific enolase levels at 48 hours, death from any cause, the score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (ranging from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive ability), the score on the modified Rankin scale (ranging from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater disability), and the CPC at 90 days. RESULTS: A total of 789 patients underwent randomization. A primary-outcome event occurred in 126 of 394 patients (32.0%) in the restrictive-target group and in 134 of 395 patients (33.9%) in the liberal-target group (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.75 to 1.21; P = 0.69). At 90 days, death had occurred in 113 patients (28.7%) in the restrictive-target group and in 123 (31.1%) in the liberal-target group. On the CPC, the median category was 1 in the two groups; on the modified Rankin scale, the median score was 2 in the restrictive-target group and 1 in the liberal-target group; and on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the median score was 27 in the two groups. At 48 hours, the median neuron-specific enolase level was 17 µg per liter in the restrictive-target group and 18 µg per liter in the liberal-target group. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting of a restrictive or liberal oxygenation strategy in comatose patients after resuscitation for cardiac arrest resulted in a similar incidence of death or severe disability or coma. (Funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation; BOX ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03141099.).

Effect of Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillators in Nonischemic Heart Failure According to Background Medical Therapy: Extended Follow-up of the DANISH Trial.

BACKGROUND: The Heart Failure Collaboratory (HFC) score integrates types and dosages of guideline-directed pharmacotherapies for heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We examined the effects of cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation according to the modified HFC (mHFC) score in 1116 patients with nonischemic HFrEF from the Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of ICDs in Patients with Nonischemic Systolic HF on Mortality (DANISH). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were assigned scores for renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (0, no use; 1, < 50% of maximum dosage; 2, ≥ 50% of maximum dosage). The maximum score was 6, corresponding to ≥ 50% of maximum dosage for all therapies. The median baseline mHFC score was 4, and the median follow-up was 9.5 years. Compared with an mHFC score of 3-4, an mHFC score of 1-2 was associated with a higher rate of all-cause death (mHFC = 1-2: adjusted HR 1.67 [95% CI, 1.23-2.28]; mHFC = 3-4, reference; mHFC = 5-6: adjusted HR 1.07 [95% CI, 0.87-1.31]). ICD implantation did not reduce all-cause death compared with control (reference) (HR 0.89 [95% CI, 0.74-1.08]), regardless of mHFC score (mHFC = 1-2: HR 0.98 [95% CI, 0.56-1.71]; mHFC = 3-4: HR 0.89 [95% CI,0.66-1.20]; mHFC = 5-6: HR 0.85 [95% CI, 0.64-1.12]; Pinteraction, 0.65). Similarly, ICD implantation did not reduce cardiovascular death (HR 0.87 [95% CI, 0.70-1.09]), regardless of mHFC score (Pinteraction, 0.59). The ICD group had a lower rate of sudden cardiovascular death (HR, 0.60 [95% CI,0.40-0.92]); this association was not modified by mHFC score (Pinteraction, 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: Lower mHFC scores were associated with higher rates of all-cause death. ICD implantation did not result in an overall survival benefit in patients with nonischemic HFrEF, regardless of mHFC score.

Long-Term Follow-Up of DANISH (The Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of ICDs in Patients With Nonischemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality).

BACKGROUND: DANISH (The Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators [ICDs] in Patients With Nonischemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality) found that primary-prevention ICD implantation was not associated with an overall survival benefit in patients with nonischemic systolic heart failure during a median follow-up of 5.6 years, although there was a beneficial effect on all-cause mortality in patients ≤70 years. This study presents an additional 4 years of follow-up data from DANISH. METHODS: In DANISH, 556 patients with nonischemic systolic heart failure were randomized to receive an ICD and 560 to receive usual clinical care and followed until June 30, 2016. In this long-term follow-up study, patients were followed until May 18, 2020. Analyses were conducted for the overall population and according to age (≤70 and >70 years). RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 9.5 years (25th-75th percentile, 7.9-10.9 years), 208/556 patients (37%) in the ICD group and 226/560 patients (40%) in the control group died. Compared with the control group, the ICD group did not have significantly lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, [95% CI, 0.74-1.08]; P = 0.24). In patients ≤70 years (n = 829), all-cause mortality was lower in the ICD group than the control group (117/389 [30%] versus 158/440 [36%]; HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.61-0.99]; P = 0.04), whereas in patients >70 years (n = 287), all-cause mortality was not significantly different between the ICD and control group (91/167 [54%] versus 68/120 [57%]; HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.67-1.28]; P = 0.75). Cardiovascular death showed similar trends (overall, 147/556 [26%] versus 164/560 [29%]; HR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.70-1.09]; P = 0.20; ≤70 years, 87/389 [22%] versus 122/440 [28%]; HR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.57-0.98]; P = 0.04; >70 years, 60/167 [36%] versus 42/120 [35%]; HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.65-1.45]; P = 0.91). The ICD group had a significantly lower incidence of sudden cardiovascular death in the overall population (35/556 [6%] versus 57/560 [10%]; HR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.40-0.92]; P = 0.02) and in patients ≤70 years (19/389 [5%] versus 49/440 [11%]; HR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.24-0.71]; P = 0.0008), but not in patients >70 years (16/167 [10%] versus 8/120 [7%]; HR, 1.34 [95% CI, 0.56-3.19]; P = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: During a median follow-up of 9.5 years, ICD implantation did not provide an overall survival benefit in patients with nonischemic systolic heart failure. In patients ≤70 years, ICD implantation was associated with a lower incidence of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and sudden cardiovascular death. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00542945.

Attainment of Target Antibiotic Levels by Oral Treatment of Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis: A POET Substudy.

BACKGROUND: In the POET (Partial Oral Endocarditis Treatment) trial, oral step-down therapy was noninferior to full-length intravenous antibiotic administration. The aim of the present study was to perform pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses for oral treatments of infective endocarditis to assess the probabilities of target attainment (PTAs). METHODS: Plasma concentrations of oral antibiotics were measured at day 1 and 5. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for the bacteria causing infective endocarditis (streptococci, staphylococci, or enterococci). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets were predefined according to literature using time above MIC or the ratio of area under the curve to MIC. Population pharmacokinetic modeling and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses were done for amoxicillin, dicloxacillin, linezolid, moxifloxacin, and rifampicin, and PTAs were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 236 patients participated in this POET substudy. For amoxicillin and linezolid, the PTAs were 88%-100%. For moxifloxacin and rifampicin, the PTAs were 71%-100%. Using a clinical breakpoint for staphylococci, the PTAs for dicloxacillin were 9%-17%.Seventy-four patients at day 1 and 65 patients at day 5 had available pharmacokinetic and MIC data for 2 oral antibiotics. Of those, 13 patients at day 1 and 14 patients at day 5 did only reach the target for 1 antibiotic. One patient did not reach target for any of the 2 antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: For the individual orally administered antibiotic, the majority reached the target level. Patients with sub-target levels were compensated by the administration of 2 different antibiotics. The findings support the efficacy of oral step-down antibiotic treatment in patients with infective endocarditis.

Rifampicin reduces plasma concentration of linezolid in patients with infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Linezolid in combination with rifampicin has been used in treatment of infective endocarditis especially for patients infected with staphylococci. OBJECTIVES: Because rifampicin has been reported to reduce the plasma concentration of linezolid, the present study aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of linezolid for the purpose of quantifying an effect of rifampicin cotreatment. In addition, the possibility of compensation by dosage adjustments was evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pharmacokinetic measurements were performed in 62 patients treated with linezolid for left-sided infective endocarditis in the Partial Oral Endocarditis Treatment (POET) trial. Fifteen patients were cotreated with rifampicin. A total of 437 linezolid plasma concentrations were obtained. The pharmacokinetic data were adequately described by a one-compartment model with first-order absorption and first-order elimination. RESULTS: We demonstrated a substantial increase of linezolid clearance by 150% (95% CI: 78%-251%), when combined with rifampicin. The final model was evaluated by goodness-of-fit plots showing an acceptable fit, and a visual predictive check validated the model. Model-based dosing simulations showed that rifampicin cotreatment decreased the PTA of linezolid from 94.3% to 34.9% and from 52.7% to 3.5% for MICs of 2 mg/L and 4 mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial interaction between linezolid and rifampicin was detected in patients with infective endocarditis, and the interaction was stronger than previously reported. Model-based simulations showed that increasing the linezolid dose might compensate without increasing the risk of adverse effects to the same degree.

Wireless Single-Lead versus Standard 12-Lead ECG, for ST-Segment Deviation during Adenosine Cardiac Stress Scintigraphy.

Wearable wireless electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is well-proven for arrythmia detection, but ischemia detection accuracy is not well-described. We aimed to assess the agreement of ST-segment deviation from single- versus 12-lead ECG and their accuracy for the detection of reversible ischemia. Bias and limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated between maximum deviations in ST segments from single- and 12-lead ECG during 82Rb PET-myocardial cardiac stress scintigraphy. Sensitivity and specificity for reversible anterior-lateral myocardial ischemia detection were assessed for both ECG methods, using perfusion imaging results as a reference. Out of 110 patients included, 93 were analyzed. The maximum difference between single- and 12-lead ECG was seen in II (-0.019 mV). The widest LoA was seen in V5, with an upper LoA of 0.145 mV (0.118 to 0.172) and a lower LoA of -0.155 mV (-0.182 to -0.128). Ischemia was seen in 24 patients. Single-lead and 12-lead ECG both had poor accuracy for the detection of reversible anterolateral ischemia during the test: single-lead ECG had a sensitivity of 8.3% (1.0-27.0%) and specificity of 89.9% (80.2-95.8%), and 12-lead ECG a sensitivity of 12.5% (3.0-34.4%) and a specificity of 91.3% (82.0-96.7%). In conclusion, agreement was within predefined acceptable criteria for ST deviations, and both methods had high specificity but poor sensitivity for the detection of anterolateral reversible ischemia. Additional studies must confirm these results and their clinical relevance, especially in the light of the poor sensitivity for detecting reversible anterolateral cardiac ischemia.

Partial Oral versus Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment of Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infective endocarditis on the left side of the heart are typically treated with intravenous antibiotic agents for up to 6 weeks. Whether a shift from intravenous to oral antibiotics once the patient is in stable condition would result in efficacy and safety similar to those with continued intravenous treatment is unknown. METHODS: In a randomized, noninferiority, multicenter trial, we assigned 400 adults in stable condition who had endocarditis on the left side of the heart caused by streptococcus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, or coagulase-negative staphylococci and who were being treated with intravenous antibiotics to continue intravenous treatment (199 patients) or to switch to oral antibiotic treatment (201 patients). In all patients, antibiotic treatment was administered intravenously for at least 10 days. If feasible, patients in the orally treated group were discharged to outpatient treatment. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, unplanned cardiac surgery, embolic events, or relapse of bacteremia with the primary pathogen, from the time of randomization until 6 months after antibiotic treatment was completed. RESULTS: After randomization, antibiotic treatment was completed after a median of 19 days (interquartile range, 14 to 25) in the intravenously treated group and 17 days (interquartile range, 14 to 25) in the orally treated group (P=0.48). The primary composite outcome occurred in 24 patients (12.1%) in the intravenously treated group and in 18 (9.0%) in the orally treated group (between-group difference, 3.1 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, -3.4 to 9.6; P=0.40), which met noninferiority criteria. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with endocarditis on the left side of the heart who were in stable condition, changing to oral antibiotic treatment was noninferior to continued intravenous antibiotic treatment. (Funded by the Danish Heart Foundation and others; POET ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01375257 .).

Self-assessed health status and associated mortality in endocarditis: secondary findings from the POET trial.

PURPOSE: Self-assessed poor health status is associated with increased risk of mortality in several cardiovascular conditions, but has not been investigated in patients with endocarditis. We examined health status and mortality in patients with endocarditis. METHODS: This is a re-specified substudy of the randomized POET endocarditis trial, which included 400 patients. Patients completed the single-question self-assessed health status from the Short-Form 36 questionnaire at time of randomization and were categorized as having poor or non-poor (excellent/very good, good, or fair) health status. Self-assessed health status and all-cause mortality were examined by a Cox regression model. RESULTS: Self-assessed health status was completed by 266 (67%) patients with a mean age of 68.0 years (± 11.8), 54 (20%) were females, and 86 (32%) had one or more major concurrent medical conditions besides endocarditis. The self-assessed health status distribution was poor (n = 21, 8%) and non-poor (n = 245, 92%). The median follow-up was 3.3 years and death occurred in 9 (43%) and 48 (20%) patients reporting poor and non-poor health status, respectively, and mortality rates [mortality/100 person-years, 95% confidence interval (CI)] were 18.1 (95% CI 9.4-34.8) and 5.4 (95% CI 4.1-7.2), i.e., the crude hazard ratio for death was 3.4 (95% CI: 1.7-7.0, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Self-assessed poor health status compared with non-poor health status as assessed by a single question was associated with a threefold increased long-term mortality in patients with endocarditis. POET ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01375257. TRIAL REGISTRY: POET ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01375257.

Is It Safe to Mobilize Patients Very Early After Transfemoral Coronary Procedures? (SAMOVAR): A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are performed via the femoral or radial arteries. In patients examined via transfemoral access, closure devices facilitate hemostasis, but it is unknown whether it is safe to mobilize these patients immediately and how acceptable this may be in terms of patient comfort. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate bleeding complications in patients mobilized immediately after transfemoral CAG or PCI compared with patients on bed rest (BR) for 2 hours after the procedure and, furthermore, to investigate patient comfort in relation to mobilization and BR. METHODS: SAMOVAR was a noninferiority trial with patients randomized to immediate mobilization (IM) or 2 hours of BR after transfemoral CAG or PCI and use of the AngioSeal as a closure device and reversal of heparin effect. The primary end point was development of hematoma greater than 5 cm, pseudoaneurysm, or bleeding requiring blood transfusion. Secondary end points were oozing from the puncture site, small hematoma, and patient comfort. RESULTS: Of 2027 patients (IM, 1010; BR, 1017), 40% underwent PCI. The primary outcome was recorded in 0.7% patients randomized to IM versus 0.5% in BR ( P = .58). There was no difference in the incidence of small hematoma, whereas persistent oozing was seen slightly more often after IM compared with BR (12% vs 9%, P = .04). Patients mobilized immediately reported less back pain and micturition problems ( P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients who had CAG and PCI performed through transfemoral access, reversal of anticoagulation and use of closure devices allowed IM with low rates of complications and improved patient comfort.

The DANish randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial in patients with chronic HEART failure (DANHEART): A 2 × 2 factorial trial of hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate in patients with chronic heart failure (H-HeFT) and metformin in patients with chronic heart failure and diabetes or prediabetes (Met-HeFT).

OBJECTIVES: The DANHEART trial is a multicenter, randomized (1:1), parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This investigator driven study will include 1500 HFrEF patients and test in a 2 × 2 factorial design: 1) if hydralazine-isosorbide dinitrate reduces the incidence of death and hospitalization with worsening heart failure vs. placebo (H-HeFT) and 2) if metformin reduces the incidence of death, worsening heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke vs. placebo in patients with diabetes or prediabetes (Met-HeFT). METHODS: Symptomatic, optimally treated HFrEF patients with LVEF ≤40% are randomized to active vs. placebo treatment. Patients can be randomized in either both H-HeFT and Met-HeFT or to only one of these study arms. In this event-driven study, it is anticipated that 1300 patients should be included in H-HeFT and 1100 in Met-HeFT and followed for an average of 4 years. RESULTS: As of May 2020, 296 patients have been randomized at 20 centers in Denmark. CONCLUSION: The H-HeFT and Met-HeFT studies will yield new knowledge about the potential benefit and safety of 2 commonly prescribed drugs with limited randomized data in patients with HFrEF.

The benefit of complete revascularization after primary PCI for STEMI is attenuated by increasing age: Results from the DANAMI-3-PRIMULTI randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the effect of age on outcomes after culprit-only and complete revascularization after Primary PCI (PPCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). BACKGROUND: The numbers of older patients being treated with PPCI are increasing. The optimal management of nonculprit stenoses in such patients is unclear. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of patients aged ≥75 years randomized in the DANAMI-3-PRIMULTI study to either culprit-only or complete FFR-guided revascularization. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, nonfatal reinfarction, and ischaemia-driven revascularization of lesions in noninfarct-related arteries after a median of 27 months of follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred and ten of six hundred and twenty seven patients in the DANAMI-3-PRIMULTI trial were aged ≥75 years. These patients were more likely female (p < .001), hypertensive (p < .001), had lower hemoglobin levels (p < .001), and higher serum creatinine levels (p < .001) than the younger patients in the trial. Other than less use of drug-eluting stents (96.6 versus 88.0%: p = .02), there were no significant differences in procedural technique and success between patients aged <75 years and those ≥75 years of age. There was no significant difference in the incidence of the primary endpoint in patients ≥75 years randomized to culprit-only or FFR-guided complete revascularization (HR 1.49 [95% CI 0.57-4.65]; log-rank p = .19; p for interaction versus patients <75 years <.001). There was a significant interaction between age as a continuous variable, treatment assignment, and the primary outcome (p < .001); beyond the age of about 75 years, there may be no prognostic advantage to complete revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: In patients ≥75 years, after treatment of the culprit lesion in STEMI, there is no significant prognostic benefit to prophylactic complete revascularization of nonculprit stenoses. Pending further study, data would support a symptom-guided approach to further invasive treatment.

Early Q-wave morphology in prediction of reperfusion success in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention - A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Pathological Q-wave (QW) in the electrocardiogram (ECG) before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (primary PCI) is a strong prognostic marker in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, current binary QW criteria are either not clinically applicable or have a lack of diagnostic performance. Accordingly, we evaluated the association between duration, depth and area of QW and markers of the effect of reperfusion (reperfusion success). METHODS: A total of 516 patients with their first STEMI had obtained an ECG before primary PCI and an acute cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) at day 1 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-1) and at follow-up at day 92 (IQR, 89-96). The largest measurable QW in ECG was used for analysis of duration, depth and area of QW (QW morphology). The QW morphology was evaluated as a continuous variable in linear regression models and as a variable divided in four equally large groups. RESULTS: The QW morphology as four equally large groups was significantly associated with all CMR endpoints (p ≤ 0.001) and showed a linear relationship (p ≤ 0.001) with final infarct size (for QW duration, ß = 0.47; QW depth, ß = 0.41 and QW area, ß = 0.39), final infarct transmurality (for QW duration, ß = 0.36; QW depth, ß = 0.26 and QW area, ß = 0.23) and final myocardial salvage index (for QW duration, ß = -0.34; QW depth, ß = -0.26 and QW area, ß = -0.24). CONCLUSION: Although modest, the QW morphology in STEMI patients showed significant linear association with markers of reperfusion success. Hence, it is suggested that the term pathological is not used as a dichotomous parameter in patients with STEMI but rather evaluated on the basis of extent.

Electrocardiogram to predict reperfusion success in late presenters with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Clinical decision-making in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) presenting beyond 12 h of symptom onset (late presenters) is challenging. However, the electrocardiogram (ECG) may provide helpful information. We investigated the association between three ECG-scores and myocardial salvage and infarct size in late presenters treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (primary PCI). METHODS: Sixty-six patients with STEMI and ongoing symptoms presenting 12-72 h after symptom onset were included. Cardiac magnetic resonance was performed at day 1 (interquartile range [IQR], 1-1) and at follow-up at day 93 (IQR, 90-98). The pre-PCI ECG was analyzed for the presence of pathological QW (early QW) as well as Anderson-Wilkins acuteness score (AW-score), the classic Sclarovsky-Birnbaum Ischemia Grading System (classic SB-IG-score) and a modified SB-IG-score including any T-wave morphologies. RESULTS: Early QW was associated with a larger myocardium at risk (39 ± 12 versus 33 ± 12; p = 0.030) and final infarct size (20 ± 11 versus 14 ± 9; p = 0.021) as well as a numerical lower final myocardial salvage (0.52 ± 0.19 versus 0.61 ± 0.23; p = 0.09). The association with final infarct size disappeared after adjusting for myocardium at risk. An AW-score < 3 showed a trend towards a larger final infarct size (18 ± 11 versus 11 ± 11; p = 0.08) and was not associated with salvage index (0.55 ± 0.20 versus 0.65 ± 0.30; p = 0.23). The classic and modified SB-IG-score were not associated with final infarct size (modified SB-IG-score, 17 ± 10 versus 21 ± 13; p = 0.28) or final myocardial salvage (0.53 ± 0.20 versus 0.53 ± 0.26; p = 0.96). CONCLUSION: Of three well-established ECG-scores only early QW and AW-score < 3 showed association with myocardium at risk and infarct size to some extent, but the association with myocardial salvage was weak. Hence, neither of the three investigated ECG-scores are sufficient to guide clinical decision-making in patients with STEMI and ongoing symptoms presenting beyond 12 h of symptom onset.

Fractional flow reserve-guided percutaneous coronary intervention vs. medical therapy for patients with stable coronary lesions: meta-analysis of individual patient data.

Aims: To assess the effect of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with contemporary drug-eluting stents on the composite of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI) vs. medical therapy in patients with stable coronary lesions. Methods and results: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual patient data (IPD) of the three available randomized trials of contemporary FFR-guided PCI vs. medical therapy for patients with stable coronary lesions: FAME 2 (NCT01132495), DANAMI-3-PRIMULTI (NCT01960933), and Compare-Acute (NCT01399736). FAME 2 enrolled patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), while the other two focused on non-culprit lesions in stabilized patients after acute coronary syndrome. A total of 2400 subjects were recruited from 54 sites world-wide with 1056 randomly assigned to FFR-guided PCI and 1344 to medical therapy. The pre-specified primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death or MI. We included data from extended follow-ups for FAME 2 (up to 5.5 years follow-up) and DANAMI-3-PRIMULTI (up to 4.7 years follow-up). After a median follow-up of 35 months (interquartile range 12-60 months), a reduction in the composite of cardiac death or MI was observed with FFR-guided PCI as compared with medical therapy (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.54-0.96; P = 0.02). The difference between groups was driven by MI. Conclusion: In this IPD meta-analysis of the three available randomized controlled trials to date, FFR-guided PCI resulted in a reduction of the composite of cardiac death or MI compared with medical therapy, which was driven by a decreased risk of MI.

Early Versus Standard Care Invasive Examination and Treatment of Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The optimal timing of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and revascularization in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome is not well defined. We tested the hypothesis that a strategy of very early ICA and possible revascularization within 12 hours of diagnosis is superior to an invasive strategy performed within 48 to 72 hours in terms of clinical outcomes. METHODS: Patients admitted with clinical suspicion of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in the Capital Region of Copenhagen, Denmark, were screened for inclusion in the VERDICT trial (Very Early Versus Deferred Invasive Evaluation Using Computerized Tomography) ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02061891). Patients with ECG changes indicating new ischemia or elevated troponin, in whom ICA was clinically indicated and deemed logistically feasible within 12 hours, were randomized 1:1 to ICA within 12 hours or standard invasive care within 48 to 72 hours. The primary end point was a combination of all-cause death, nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction, hospital admission for refractory myocardial ischemia, or hospital admission for heart failure. RESULTS: A total of 2147 patients were randomized; 1075 patients allocated to very early invasive evaluation had ICA performed at a median of 4.7 hours after randomization, whereas 1072 patients assigned to standard invasive care had ICA performed 61.6 hours after randomization. Among patients with significant coronary artery disease identified by ICA, coronary revascularization was performed in 88.4% (very early ICA) and 83.1% (standard invasive care). Within a median follow-up time of 4.3 (interquartile range, 4.1-4.4) years, the primary end point occurred in 296 (27.5%) of participants in the very early ICA group and 316 (29.5%) in the standard care group (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.78-1.08). Among patients with a GRACE risk score (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) >140, a very early invasive treatment strategy improved the primary outcome compared with the standard invasive treatment (hazard ratio, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-1.01; P value for interaction=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: A strategy of very early invasive coronary evaluation does not improve overall long-term clinical outcome compared with an invasive strategy conducted within 2 to 3 days in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. However, in patients with the highest risk, very early invasive therapy improves long-term outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02061891.

Defibrillator Implantation in Patients with Nonischemic Systolic Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: The benefit of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure caused by coronary artery disease has been well documented. However, the evidence for a benefit of prophylactic ICDs in patients with systolic heart failure that is not due to coronary artery disease has been based primarily on subgroup analyses. The management of heart failure has improved since the landmark ICD trials, and many patients now receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: In a randomized, controlled trial, 556 patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction, ≤35%) not caused by coronary artery disease were assigned to receive an ICD, and 560 patients were assigned to receive usual clinical care (control group). In both groups, 58% of the patients received CRT. The primary outcome of the trial was death from any cause. The secondary outcomes were sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular death. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 67.6 months, the primary outcome had occurred in 120 patients (21.6%) in the ICD group and in 131 patients (23.4%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68 to 1.12; P=0.28). Sudden cardiac death occurred in 24 patients (4.3%) in the ICD group and in 46 patients (8.2%) in the control group (hazard ratio, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.82; P=0.005). Device infection occurred in 27 patients (4.9%) in the ICD group and in 20 patients (3.6%) in the control group (P=0.29). CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, prophylactic ICD implantation in patients with symptomatic systolic heart failure not caused by coronary artery disease was not associated with a significantly lower long-term rate of death from any cause than was usual clinical care. (Funded by Medtronic and others; DANISH ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00542945 .).

The effect of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in patients with diabetes and non-ischaemic systolic heart failure.

AIMS: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death, but not all-cause death in patients with non-ischaemic systolic heart failure (HF). Whether co-existence of diabetes affects ICD treatment effects is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the effect of ICD implantation on risk of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and sudden cardiac death (SCD) according to diabetes status at baseline in the Danish Study to Assess the Efficacy of ICDs in Patients with Non-ischaemic Systolic Heart Failure on Mortality (DANISH) trial. Outcomes were analysed by use of cumulative incidence curves and Cox regressions models. Of the 1116 patients enrolled, 211 (19%) had diabetes at baseline. Patients with diabetes were more obese, had worse kidney function and more were in New York Heart Association Class III/IV. The risk of device infections and other complications in the ICD group was similar among patients with and without diabetes (6.1% vs. 4.6% P = 0.54). Irrespective of treatment group, diabetes was associated with higher risk of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and SCD. The treatment effect of ICD in patients with diabetes vs. patients without diabetes was hazard ratio (HR) = 0.92 (0.57-1.50) vs. HR = 0.85 (0.63-1.13); Pinteraction = 0.60 for all-cause mortality, HR = 0.99 (0.58-1.70) vs. HR = 0.70 (0.48-1.01); Pinteraction = 0.25 for cardiovascular death, and HR = 0.81 (0.35-1.88) vs. HR = 0.40 (0.22-0.76); Pinteraction = 0.16 for sudden cardiac death. CONCLUSION: Among patients with non-ischaemic systolic HF, diabetes was associated with higher incidence of all-cause mortality, primarily driven by cardiovascular mortality including SCD. Treatment effect of ICD therapy was not significantly modified by diabetes which might be due to lack of power.