Combination Therapy With Nicardipine and Isosorbide Dinitrate to Prevent Spasm in Transradial Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (from the NISTRA Multicenter Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial).

Verapamil and nitroglycerin are widely used to prevent radial artery spasm (RAS) during percutaneous cardiovascular procedures. However, these agents are not typically available in most African countries and consequently, isosorbide dinitrate is often the only spasmolytic treatment. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of isosorbide dinitrate alone versus isosorbide dinitrate used together with nicardipine to prevent RAS during transradial coronary procedures. This was a randomized controlled double-blind multicenter trial. Patients (n = 1,523) were randomized to receive either a sole therapy of isosorbide dinitrate (n = 760) or the combination of isosorbide dinitrate and nicardipine (n = 763). Our primary end point was the occurrence of RAS; defined as considerable perceived hindrance of catheter advancement. Our secondary end points were severe RAS; defined as (1) severe arm pain, (2) the need for either morphine or midazolam treatment, and (3) necessity for crossover to the contralateral radial or femoral artery. RAS incidence was reduced with the combination therapy versus isosorbide dinitrate alone (15% vs 25%, p <0.001), with a number needed to treat of 10 patients. There was also a significant reduction in the incidence of the secondary end points with combination therapy (3.6% vs 8.2%, p <0.001), with a number needed to treat of 22 patients. This result was driven by reductions in both femoral crossover (0.5% vs 2.4%, p = 0.003) and the use of morphine or midazolam injections (1.6% vs 3.5%, p = 0.02) with combination therapy. In conclusion, we demonstrated the superiority of the combination therapy of isosorbide dinitrate and nicardipine over isosorbide dinitrate alone in reducing the incidence of RAS.

Left atrium reservoir function is central in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

We investigated the relationship between Left Atrium strain reservoir function and symptoms and its impact on modulating Left Ventricular mechanics, diastolic filling, stroke volume, mean trans-mitral gradient and pulmonary pressure in mitral stenosis (MS) patients. We examined 195 full spectrum MS patients which were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 109) included patients with NYHA I & II functional class and group 2 (n = 86) included patients with NYHA III & IV functional class. LA strain reservoir function and classical echocardiographic parameters were calculated. LASr was significantly higher in group 1 versus group 2 in patients with MVA ≤ 1cm2 [8.8(6.0-12.6) vs 6.8(4.1-8.9), p = 0.03) and when 1cm2 < MVA ≤ 1.5 cm2 [10.0 (5.4-13.8) vs 6.7(4.5-9.0), p = 0.02). In patients with Pulmonary Hypertension, group 1 had significantly higher LASr than group 2 [11.1(6.6-14.8) vs 5.9(4.3-9.0), p = 0.002) By multivariate analysis, diabetes (OR = 4.11, 95%CI: 1.6-10.4), stroke (OR = 2.9, 95%CI: 1.1-7.9), LASr (OR = 0.9, 95%CI: 0.80-0.99) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF)(OR = 0.9, 95%CI: 0.91-0.99) were independently associated with NYHA functional class. LASr was significantly and positively correlated to MVA (r = 0.3, p < 10-3), stroke volume (r = 0.25, p = 10-3), mitral inflow (r = 0.4, p < 10-3) and LVEF(r = 0.14, p = 0.05). It was significantly and negatively correlated to left ventricular strain (r = -0.65, p < 10-3), LA indexed volume (r = -0.40, p < 10-3), maximum tricuspid regurgitation velocity (r = -0.25, p = 0.003), MTMG (r = -0.25, p = 10-3), and heart rate (r = -0.4, p < 10-3). We demonstrated a large range of interaction between LASr and mitral valve echocardiographic parameters. This may explain the reasons we identified LASr as an independent factor for MS functional tolerance.

Association of the methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase gene rs1801133 C677T variant with serum homocysteine levels, and the severity of coronary artery disease.

This study aimed to investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphism C677T (rs1801133) of the methylene-tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene was associated with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and circulating homocysteine (Hcy) levels in Tunisian population. 310 angiografically diagnosed CAD patients and 210 controls were enrolled in this study. The MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) polymorphism was genotyped, and the Hcy concentrations were measured. The severity of CAD was evaluated using the Gensini scoring system. Compared to the CC genotype, the TT genotype confers a higher risk for CAD severity with an OR = 9.07 and 95% CI = 3.78-21.8. The T allele was the predisposing allele for CAD and that it was probably associated with CAD severity. The area under the ROC curve for Hcy was 0.764 (95% CI 0.660 to 0.868, p = 0.001). The receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) for Hcy showed its useful prediction of CAD. Hcy levels were not significantly associated with CAD severity expressed by Gensini Score (GS). The MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) polymorphism influences circulating Hcy levels. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism and hyperhomocysteinemia could have an important role in the prediction of the presence and not the severity expressed by GS of CAD.

Case Report: Coronary artery stent infection with mycotic aneurysm secondary to tricuspid valve infective endocarditis.

Coronary artery stent infection with mycotic aneurysm is a rare life-threatening complication following coronary angioplasty, usually requiring surgical intervention. Reaching and confirming the diagnosis remains the most challenging aspect of this complication. We describe an unusual case of bare metal stent infection and coronary artery aneurysm in the setting of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis, resulting in ST elevation myocardial infarction, with a favorable outcome after primary angioplasty and antibiotic therapy. In the current era of growth of coronary stent implantation, it's important for clinicians to consider and to prevent such potentially fatal events. The diagnosis process remains difficult and requires the association of multiple clinical, biological and imaging parameters. Although treatment modalities tend to favor surgery, we showed that coronary angioplasty could be a successful alternative solution.

Case Report: Concomitant coronary stent and femoral artery thrombosis in the setting of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare but potentially life threatening  adverse drug reaction. We report an unusual case of concomitant subacute coronary stent and femoral artery thrombosis secondary to HIT. In the current era of extensive growth of heparin use and percutaneous coronary interventions, it's important for clinicians to remember that such complication might occur and should be prevented.