[Ischemia : when the ECG do not tell us everything]. / Ischémie : quand l'ECG ne nous dit pas tout.

The electrocardiogram recording, when an acute coronary syndrome is suspected, is of paramount importance as the modifications of the ST segment confirms the diagnosis of STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) which needs immediate treatment, or NSTEMI (Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction). In case of NSTEMI, the invasive procedure is generally performed in the first 24 to 72 hours. However, one patient in four present an acute occluded artery at the time of the coronary angiography and this is associated with a worse outcome. In this article, we describe an emblematic case, discuss the worse outcome of these patients and explore some ways to prevent this problem.

La réalisation de l'ECG lors de suspicion d'un syndrome coronarien aigu (SCA) occupe une place primordiale. En effet, c'est sur la présence ou l'absence d'un sus-décalage du segment ST que le diagnostic d'infarctus aigu type STEMI (infarctus myocardique avec élévation du segment ST), avec nécessité d'une prise en charge immédiate, ou NSTEMI (infarctus myocardique sans élévation du segment ST), est posé. En cas d'infarctus NSTEMI, en règle générale, la coronarographie est effectuée dans les 24 à 72 heures. Toutefois, 1 patient sur 4 avec infarctus NSTEMI présente une occlusion artérielle aiguë au moment de la coronarographie. Cela est associé à un mauvais pronostic au long cours. Dans cet article, nous vous présentons un cas illustratif et une synthèse de la littérature sur le mauvais pronostic de ces patients et quelques pistes afin d'éviter ce problème.

Corrigendum: Yield of the electrophysiological study in patients with new-onset left bundle branch block after transcathether aortic valve replacement: The PR interval matters.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.910693.].

Yield of the electrophysiological study in patients with new-onset left bundle branch block after transcathether aortic valve replacement: The PR interval matters.

Background: Studies suggest that performing an electrophysiological study (EPS) may be useful to identify patients with new-onset left bundle branch block (LBBB) post-TAVR at risk of atrioventricular block. However, tools to optimize the yield of such strategy are needed. We therefore aimed to investigate whether 12-lead ECG changes post-TAVR may help identify patients with abnormal EPS findings. Materials and methods: Consecutive patients with new-onset LBBB post-TAVR who underwent EPS were included. PR and QRS intervals were measured on 12-lead ECG pre-TAVR and during EPS. Abnormal EPS was defined as an HV interval > 55 ms. Results: Among 61 patients, 28 (46%) had an HV interval > 55 ms after TAVR. Post-TAVR PR interval and ΔPR (PR-post-pre-TAVR) were significantly longer in patients with prolonged HV (PR: 188 ± 38 vs. 228 ± 34 ms, p < 0.001, ΔPR: 10 ± 30 vs. 34 ± 23 ms, p = 0.001), while no difference was found in QRS duration. PR and ΔPR intervals both effectively discriminated patients with HV > 55 ms (AUC = 0.804 and 0.769, respectively; p < 0.001). A PR > 200 ms identified patients with abnormal EPS results with a sensitivity of 89% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 88%. ΔPR ≥ 20 ms alone provided a somewhat lower sensitivity (64%) but combining both criteria (i.e., PR > 200 ms or ΔPR ≥ 20 ms) identified almost every patients with abnormal HV (sensitivity = 96%, NPV = 95%). Selecting EPS candidate based on both criteria would avoid 1/3 of exams. Conclusion: PR interval assessment may be useful to select patients with new-onset LBBB after TAVR who may benefit most from an EPS. In patients with PR ≤ 200 ms and ΔPR < 20 ms the likelihood of abnormal EPS is very low independently of QRS changes.

Reliability and Safety of a Side-Branch Jailed Second-Generation Optical-Pressure Guidewire in a Physiology-Guided Bifurcation-PCI In Vitro Model.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of a coronary bifurcation with a single stent (the provisional stenting technique) is associated with a good outcome in most cases. In the majority of cases, after provisional stenting technique, a residual significant angiographic stenosis is associated with the absence of ischemia when fractional flow reserve (FFR) is measured. Jailing an optical pressure guidewire in the side branch (SB) could potentially reduce unnecessary SB interventions after provisional stenting technique. The aim of this study was to compare distal pressure to aortic pressure ratio (Pd/Pa) measurements between 2 second-generation optical pressure guidewires in bifurcation treatment-a jailed wire (JW) and a second free-floating wire (FW) advanced into the SB after stenting. METHODS: In an in vitro bifurcation hydrodynamic model with pressure sensors, a JW was advanced into the SB and the FW into the main branch. Bifurcation stenting is performed with the proximal optimization technique (POT)-side-POT technique using a 3.0 x 22-mm stent, a 4.0 x 12-mm noncompliant balloon for the POT, and a 2.5 x 12-mm semicompliant balloon for the SB opening. The same steps were performed in a second model where a surgical clamp was placed in the main vessel to lower overall absolute values pressures. RESULTS: A strong correlation was found between JW and FW values (Pearson's coefficient, r=0.91). All wires could be safely retrieved. CONCLUSION: In bifurcation stenting, the Pd/Pa value of a second-generation optical pressure guidewire jailed in the SB is reliable compared with a FW inserted after stent implantation.

Future culprit detection based on angiography-derived FFR.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize the hemodynamic impact of mild coronary artery disease (CAD) using quantitative flow ratio (QFR, an angiography-derived fractional flow reserve [FFR]) in a population of patients with only non-significant CAD at baseline that subsequently experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). BACKGROUND: The discriminatory value of FFR in patients with mild CAD remains imperfect. METHODS: We retrospectively included patients who underwent invasive coronary angiography for an MI, in whom another angiogram had been performed within the previous 5 years. Three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, QFR, and lesion length analysis were conducted on lesions responsible for the MI (future culprit lesions, [FCL]) as well as on control lesions (non-culprit lesions, [NCL]). RESULTS: Eighty-three FCL and 117 NCL were analyzed in 83 patients: FCL were more severe (median % diameter of stenosis [DS] 39.1% [29.8; 45.7] vs. 29.8% [25.0; 37.2], p < .001), had lower QFR values (0.94 [0.86; 0.98] vs. 0.98 [0.96; 1.00], p < .001) and tended to be longer (15.2 mm [10.0; 27.3] vs. 12.7 mm [9.3; 22.4], p = .070) than NCL. In lesions with an interval < 2 years between baseline angiography and MI, the difference in QFR was more pronounced compared to the lesions with a longer interval (FCL: 0.92 [0.85; 0.97] vs. NCL: 0.98 [0.94; 1.00], p < .001 and FCL: 0.96 [0.88; 1.00] vs. NCL: 0.98 [0.96;1.00], p = .006 respectively) CONCLUSION: Mild coronary stenoses that are subsequently responsible for an MI (FCL) exhibit a higher DS and lower QFR years before the event. Furthermore, FCL with a lower QFR at baseline appear to lead earlier to MI.

Computed Tomography Angiography for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease Among Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is used to plan TAVI procedures. We investigated the performance of pre-TAVI CTA for excluding coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: In total 127 patients were included. CTA images were analyzed for the presence of ≥ 50% (significant CAD) and ≥ 70% (severe CAD) diameter stenoses in proximal coronary arteries. Results were compared with invasive coronary angiography (ICA) at vessel and patient levels. Primary endpoint was the negative predictive value (NPV) of CTA for the presence of CAD. RESULTS: A total of 342 vessels were analyzable. NPV of CTA was 97.5% for significant CAD and 96.3% for severe CAD. Positive predictive value and accuracy were 44.8% and 87.1% for significant CAD and 56.3% and 94.4% for severe CAD. At patient level, NPV for significant CAD was 88.6%. CONCLUSION: Pre-TAVI CTA shows good performance for ruling out CAD and could be used as a gatekeeper for ICA in selected patients.

Significance of the CAPRI risk score to predict heart failure hospitalization post-TAVI: The CAPRI-HF study.

BACKGROUND: Predictors of heart failure (HF) hospitalization after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are not well defined. CAPRI is a score for predicting 1-year post-TAVI cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The aim of the present study is to assess the prognostic significance of the CAPRI score for HF hospitalization 1 year after TAVI. METHODS AND RESULTS: CAPRI-HF is an ancillary study of the C4CAPRI trial, analyzing 409 consecutive patients treated by TAVI. The primary outcome was hospitalization for HF during the first year post-intervention. The prognostic value of the CAPRI score was assessed by multivariable analysis adjusted for diabetes, atrial fibrillation, vascular route, pacemaker implantation, post-TAVI aortic regurgitation, transfusion and pulmonary artery systolic pressure. A subanalysis focused on patients with low-gradient aortic stenosis (LGAS). At 1 year, HF hospitalization occurred in 78 (19.9%) patients. Patients with HF were more prone to have diabetes, atrial fibrillation, renal dysfunction, lower mean aortic gradient, higher logistic EuroSCORE and higher CAPRI score (p < .05 for all associations). In the multivariable analysis, CAPRI score was the sole predictor of HF: hazard ratio (HR) for each 0.1 CAPRI score increase was 1.065, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.021-1.110. This was confirmed when adjusted for EuroSCORE: HR 1.066, 95% CI 1.024-1.110. The predictive power of the CAPRI score increased for LGAS: HR 1.098, 95% CI 1.028-1.172. CONCLUSIONS: CAPRI score helps predict HF post-TAVI. Including the score in the decision-making process may help selecting candidates for TAVI and identifying patients who need close monitoring post-procedure.

Development of a Risk Score Based on Aortic Calcification to Predict 1-Year Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a new scoring system based on thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) to predict 1-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. BACKGROUND: A calcified aorta is often associated with poor prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). A risk score encompassing aortic calcification may be valuable in identifying poor TAVR responders. METHODS: The C4CAPRI (4 Cities for Assessing CAlcification PRognostic Impact) multicenter study included a training cohort (1,425 patients treated using TAVR between 2010 and 2014) and a contemporary test cohort (311 patients treated in 2015). TAC was measured by computed tomography pre-TAVR. CAPRI risk scores were based on the linear predictors of Cox models including TAC in addition to comorbidities and demographic, atherosclerotic disease and cardiac function factors. CAPRI scores were constructed and tested in 2 independent cohorts. RESULTS: Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality at 1 year was 13.0% and 17.9%, respectively, in the training cohort and 8.2% and 11.8% in the test cohort. The inclusion of TAC in the model improved prediction: 1-cm3 increase in TAC was associated with a 6% increase in cardiovascular mortality and a 4% increase in all-cause mortality. The predicted and observed survival probabilities were highly correlated (slopes >0.9 for both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality). The model's predictive power was fair (AUC 68% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 64% to 72%]) for both cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The model performed similarly in the training and test cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The CAPRI score, which combines the TAC variable with classical prognostic factors, is predictive of 1-year cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Its predictive performance was confirmed in an independent contemporary cohort. CAPRI scores are highly relevant to current practice and strengthen the evidence base for decision making in valvular interventions. Its routine use may help prevent futile procedures.