Design and rationale of the NetherLands registry of invasive Coronary vasomotor Function Testing (NL-CFT).

BACKGROUND: Angina without angiographic evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) is a highly prevalent condition with insufficient pathophysiological knowledge and lack of evidence-based medical therapies. This affects ANOCA patients prognosis, their healthcare utilization and quality of life. In current guidelines, performing a coronary function test (CFT) is recommended to identify a specific vasomotor dysfunction endotype. The NetherLands registry of invasive Coronary vasomotor Function testing (NL-CFT) has been designed to collect data on ANOCA patients undergoing CFT in the Netherlands. METHODS: The NL-CFT is a web-based, prospective, observational registry including all consecutive ANOCA patients undergoing clinically indicated CFT in participating centers throughout the Netherlands. Data on medical history, procedural data and (patient reported) outcomes are gathered. The implementation of a common CFT protocol in all participating hospitals promotes an equal diagnostic strategy and ensures representation of the entire ANOCA population. A CFT is performed after ruling out obstructive coronary artery disease. It comprises of both acetylcholine vasoreactivity testing as well as bolus thermodilution assessment of microvascular function. Optionally, continuous thermodilution or Doppler flow measurements can be performed. Participating centers can perform research using own data, or pooled data will be made available upon specific request via a secure digital research environment, after approval of a steering committee. CONCLUSION: NL-CFT will be an important registry by enabling both observational and registry based (randomized) clinical trials in ANOCA patients undergoing CFT.

The impact and challenges of implementing CTCA according to the 2019 ESC guidelines on chronic coronary syndromes: a survey and projection of CTCA services in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: The 2019 ESC-guidelines on chronic coronary syndromes (ESC-CCS) recommend computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) or non-invasive functional imaging instead of exercise ECG as initial test to diagnose obstructive coronary artery disease. Since impact and challenges of these guidelines are unknown, we studied the current utilisation of CTCA-services, status of CTCA-protocols and modeled the expected impact of these guidelines in the Netherlands. METHODS AND RESULTS: A survey on current practice and CTCA utilisation was disseminated to every Dutch hospital organisation providing outpatient cardiology care and modeled the required CTCA capacity for implementation of the ESC guideline, based on these national figures and expert consensus. Survey response rate was 100% (68/68 hospital organisations). In 2019, 63 hospital organisations provided CTCA-services (93%), CTCA was performed on 99 CTCA-capable CT-scanners, and 37,283 CTCA-examinations were performed. Between the hospital organisations, we found substantial variation considering CTCA indications, CTCA equipment and acquisition and reporting standards. To fully implement the new ESC guideline, our model suggests that 70,000 additional CTCA-examinations would have to be performed in the Netherlands. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high national CTCA-services coverage in the Netherlands, a substantial increase in CTCA capacity is expected to be able to implement the 2019 ESC-CCS recommendations on the use of CTCA. Furthermore, the results of this survey highlight the importance to address variations in image acquisition and to standardise the interpretation and reporting of CTCA, as well as to establish interdisciplinary collaboration and organisational alignment.

2020 ESC Guidelines on acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation : Recommendations and critical appraisal from the Dutch ACS and Interventional Cardiology working groups.

Recently, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has updated its guidelines for the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without ST-segment elevation. The current consensus document of the Dutch ACS working group and the Working Group of Interventional Cardiology of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology aims to put the 2020 ESC Guidelines into the Dutch perspective and to provide practical recommendations for Dutch cardiologists, focusing on antiplatelet therapy, risk assessment and criteria for invasive strategy.

P2Y12 blocker monotherapy after percutaneous coronary intervention.

For secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) antiplatelet therapy is essential. For patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) temporary dual antiplatelet platelet therapy (DAPT: aspirin combined with a P2Y12 blocker) is mandatory, but leads to more bleeding than single antiplatelet therapy with aspirin. Therefore, to reduce bleeding after a PCI the duration of DAPT is usually kept as short as clinically acceptable; thereafter aspirin monotherapy is administered. Another option to reduce bleeding is to discontinue aspirin at the time of DAPT cessation and thereafter to administer P2Y12 blocker monotherapy. To date, five randomised trials have been published comparing DAPT with P2Y12 blocker monotherapy in 32,181 stented patients. Also two meta-analyses addressing this novel therapy have been presented. P2Y12 blocker monotherapy showed a 50-60% reduction in major bleeding when compared to DAPT without a significant increase in ischaemic outcomes, including stent thrombosis. This survey reviews the findings in the current literature concerning P2Y12 blocker monotherapy after PCI.

Coronary angiography findings in patients with shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest.

INTRODUCTION: Shock-resistant ventricular fibrillation (VF) poses a therapeutic challenge during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). For these patients, new treatment strategies are under active investigation, yet underlying trigger(s) and substrate(s) have been poorly characterised, and evidence on coronary angiography (CAG) data is often limited to studies without a control group. METHODS: In our OHCA-registry, we studied CAG-findings in OHCA-patients with VF who underwent CAG after hospital arrival. We compared baseline demographics, arrest characteristics, CAG-findings and outcomes between patients with VF that was shock-resistant (defined as >3 shocks) or not shock-resistant (≤3 shocks). RESULTS: Baseline demographics, arrest location, bystander resuscitation and AED-use did not differ between 105 patients with and 196 patients without shock-resistant VF. Shock-resistant VF-patients required more shocks, with higher proportions endotracheal intubation, mechanical CPR, amiodaron and epinephrine. In both groups, significant coronary artery disease (≥1 stenosis >70%) was highly prevalent (78% vs. 77%, p = 0.76). Acute coronary occlusions (ACOs) were more prevalent in shock-resistant VF-patients (41% vs. 26%, p = 0.006). Chronic total occlusions did not differ between groups (29% vs. 33%, p = 0.47). There was an association between increasing numbers of shocks and a higher likelihood of ACO. Shock-resistant VF-patients had lower proportions 24-h survival (75% vs. 93%, p < 0.001) and survival to discharge (61% vs. 78%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: In this cohort of OHCA-patients with VF and CAG after transport, acute coronary occlusions were more prevalent in patients with shock-resistant VF compared to VF that was not shock-resistant, and their clinical outcome was worse. Confirmative studies are warranted for this potentially reversible therapeutic target.

The first multicentre study on coronary anomalies in the Netherlands: MuSCAT.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines on coronary anomalies are primarily based on expert consensus and a limited number of trials. A gold standard for diagnosis and a consensus on the treatment strategy in this patient group are lacking, especially for patients with an anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) with an interarterial course. AIM: To provide evidence-substantiated recommendations for diagnostic work-up, treatment and follow-up of patients with anomalous coronary arteries. METHODS: A clinical care pathway for patients with ACAOS was established by six Dutch centres. Prospectively included patients undergo work-up according to protocol using computed tomography (CT) angiography, ischaemia detection, echocardiography and coronary angiography with intracoronary measurements to assess anatomical and physiological characteristics of the ACAOS. Surgical and functional follow-up results are evaluated by CT angiography, ischaemia detection and a quality-of-life questionnaire. Patient inclusion for the first multicentre study on coronary anomalies in the Netherlands started in 2020 and will continue for at least 3 years with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. For patients with a right or left coronary artery originating from the pulmonary artery and coronary arteriovenous fistulas a registry is maintained. RESULTS: Primary outcomes are: (cardiac) death, myocardial ischaemia attributable to the ACAOS, re-intervention after surgery and intervention after initially conservative treatment. The influence of work-up examinations on treatment choice is also evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Structural evidence for the appropriate management of patients with coronary anomalies, especially (interarterial) ACAOS, is lacking. By means of a structured care pathway in a multicentre setting, we aim to provide an evidence-based strategy for the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of this patient group.

Diagnostic approach in patients with angina and no obstructive coronary artery disease: emphasising the role of the coronary function test.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with angina do not have obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), also referred to as "Ischaemia with No Obstructive Coronary Arteries" (INOCA). Coronary vascular dysfunction is the underlying cause of this ischaemic heart disease in as much as 59-89% of these patients, including the endotypes of coronary microvascular dysfunction and epicardial coronary vasospasm. Currently, a coronary function test (CFT) is the only comprehensive diagnostic modality to evaluate all endotypes of coronary vascular dysfunction in patients with INOCA. OBJECTIVE: In this paper we discuss the relevance of performing a CFT, provide considerations for patient selection, and present an overview of the procedure and its safety. METHODS: We reviewed the latest published data, guidelines and consensus documents, combined with a discussion of novel original data, to present this point of view. RESULTS: The use of a CFT could lead to a more accurate and timely diagnosis of vascular dysfunction, identifies patients at risk for cardiovascular events, and enables stratified treatment which improves symptoms and quality of life. Current guidelines recommend considering a CFT in patients with INOCA and persistent symptoms. The safety of the procedure is comparable to that of a regular coronary angiography with physiological measurements. Non-invasive alternatives have limited diagnostic accuracy for the identification of coronary vascular dysfunction in patients with INOCA, and a regular coronary angiography and/or coronary computed tomography scan cannot establish the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: A complete CFT, including acetylcholine and adenosine tests, should be considered in patients with INOCA.

Ischaemia with no obstructive coronary arteries.

Ischaemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is a common ischaemic heart disease with a female preponderance, mostly due to underlying coronary vascular dysfunction comprising coronary microvascular dysfunction and/or epicardial coronary vasospasm. Since standard ischaemia detection tests and coronary angiograms are not suitable to diagnose coronary vascular dysfunction, INOCA is often overlooked in current cardiology practice. Future research, including large outcome trials, is much awaited. Yet, adequate diagnosis is possible and treatment options are available and vital to reduce symptoms and most probably improve cardiovascular prognosis. This review intends to give a brief overview of the clinical presentation, underlying pathophysiology, and the diagnostic and treatment options in patients with suspected INOCA.

Recent developments in diagnosis and risk stratification of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome.

In the past year, a number of important papers have been published on non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome, highlighting progress in clinical care. The current review focuses on early diagnosis and risk stratification using biomarkers and advances in intracoronary imaging.

Expansion of off-site percutaneous coronary intervention centres significantly reduces ambulance driving time to primary PCI in the Netherlands.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)-mediated reperfusion is preferred over pharmacoinvasive reperfusion with fibrinolysis if transfer to a PCI centre can be ensured in ≤120 min. We evaluated the ambulance driving time to primary PCI centres in the Netherlands and assessed to what extent ambulance driving times were impacted by the expansion of off-site PCI centres. METHODS AND RESULTS: We calculated the driving routes from every Dutch postal code to the nearest PCI centre with (on-site) or without (off-site) surgical back-up. We used data from ambulance records to estimate the ambulance driving time on each route. There were 16 on-site and 14 off-site PCI centres. The median (interquartile range) time to on-site PCI centres was 18.8 min (12.2-26.3) compared with 14.9 min (8.9-20.9) to any PCI centre (p < 0.001). In postal code areas that were impacted by the initiation of off-site PCI, the median driving time decreased from 25.4 (18.2-33.1) to 14.7 min (8.9-20.9) (p < 0.001). Ambulance driving times of >120 min were only seen in non-mainland areas. CONCLUSION: Based on a computational model, timely ambulance transfer to a PCI centre within 120 min is available to almost all STEMI patients in the Netherlands. Expansion of off-site PCI has significantly reduced the driving time to PCI centres.

Acute rule-out of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in the (pre)hospital setting by HEART score assessment and a single point-of-care troponin: rationale and design of the ARTICA randomised trial.

INTRODUCTION: Because of the lack of prehospital protocols to rule out a non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), patients with chest pain are often transferred to the emergency department (ED) for thorough evaluation. However, in low-risk patients, an ACS is rarely found, resulting in unnecessary healthcare consumption. Using the HEART (History, ECG, Age, Risk factors and Troponin) score, low-risk patients are easily identified. When a point-of-care (POC) troponin measurement is included in the HEART score, an ACS can adequately be ruled out in low-risk patients in the prehospital setting. However, it remains unclear whether a prehospital rule-out strategy using the HEART score and a POC troponin measurement in patients with suspected NSTE-ACS is cost-effective. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The ARTICA trial is a randomised trial in which the primary objective is to investigate the cost-effectiveness after 30 days of an early rule-out strategy for low-risk patients suspected of a NSTE-ACS, using a modified HEART score including a POC troponin T measurement. Patients are included by ambulance paramedics and 1:1 randomised for (1) presentation at the ED (control group) or (2) POC troponin T measurement (intervention group) and transfer of the care to the general practitioner in case of a low troponin T value. In total, 866 patients will be included. Follow-up will be performed after 30 days, 6 months and 12 months. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has been accepted by the Medical Research Ethics Committee region Arnhem-Nijmegen. The results of this trial will be disseminated in one main paper and in additional papers with subgroup analyses. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Netherlands Trial Register (NL7148).

Correction to: Guidelines for the management of myocardial infarction/injury with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): a position paper from the Dutch ACS working group.

Correction to: Neth Heart J 2019 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12471-019-01344-6 The reference to the term acute coronary syndrome with normal or near-normal (non-obstructive) coronary arteries (ACSNNOCA) from Manolis et al. (2018) was inadvertently omitted to the original published article. Therefore, ….

Indications for an early invasive strategy in NSTE-ACS patients.

An early invasive strategy in patients who have acute coronary syndrome without ST-elevation (NSTE-ACS) can improve clinical outcome in high-risk subgroups. According to the current guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the majority of NSTE-ACS patients are classified as "high-risk". We propose to prioritise patients with a global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) risk score >140 over patients with isolated troponin rise or electrocardiographic changes and a GRACE risk score <140. We also acknowledge that same-day transfer for all patients at a high risk is not necessary in the Netherlands since the majority of Dutch cardiology departments are equipped with a catheterisation laboratory where diagnostic coronary angiography is routinely performed in NSTE-ACS patients. Therefore, same-day transfer should be restricted to true high-risk patients (in addition to those NSTE-ACS patients with very high-risk (VHR) criteria) in centres without coronary angiography capabilities.

Guidelines for the management of myocardial infarction/injury with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA): a position paper from the Dutch ACS working group.

Patients with myocardial infarction and non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), defined as angiographic stenosis <50%, represent a conundrum given the many potential underlying aetiologies. Possible causes of MINOCA can be subdivided into coronary, myocardial and non-cardiac disorders. MINOCA is found in up to 14% of patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome. Clinical outcomes including mortality, and functional and psychosocial status, are comparable to those of patients with myocardial infarction and obstructive coronary arteries. However, many uncertainties remain regarding the definition, clinical features and management of these patients. This position paper of the Dutch ACS working group of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology aims to stress the importance of considering MINOCA as a dynamic working diagnosis and to guide the clinician in the management of patients with MINOCA by proposing a clinical diagnostic algorithm.

Treatment patterns of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome patients presenting at non-PCI centres in the Netherlands and possible logistical consequences of adopting same-day transfer to PCI centres: a registry-based evaluation.

BACKGROUND: European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend same-day transfer to a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centre for angiography in high-risk (ESC-HR) patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). We describe the treatment patterns of NSTE-ACS patients presenting at non-PCI centres and evaluate the logistical consequences of adopting same-day transfer. METHODS: From August 2016 until January 2017, all consecutive NSTE-ACS patients presenting at 23 non-PCI centres in the Netherlands were recorded. We built an online case report form in collaboration with the National Cardiovascular Database Registry to collect information on risk stratification by the attending physician, timing and location of angiography, and treatment. RESULTS: We included 871 patients (mean age 69.1 ± 12.8). 55.8% were considered ESC-HR. Overall, angiography at non-PCI centres was 55.1% and revascularisation was 54.1%. Among ESC-HR patients, angiography at non-PCI centres was 51.4% and revascularisation was 54.9%. Angiography <24 h was 55.6% in patients with angiography at a non-PCI centre and 74.3% in patients with angiography at a PCI-centre. Assuming patients would receive similar treatment, adoption of same-day transfer would increase transfers of ESC-HR patients who undergo PCI (44.3%), but also increases transfers of medically treated patients (36.2%) and patients awaiting coronary bypass artery grafting (9.1%). CONCLUSIONS: In this registry of NSTE-ACS patients at non-PCI centres, the majority of ESC-HR patients underwent angiography at a non-PCI centre. Same-day transfer occurred in one-quarter of the ESC-HR patients, despite guideline recommendation. Nonselective adoption of same-day transfer to a PCI centre would increase transfers of ESC-HR patients who undergo PCI, however, equally increases transfers of patients who are medically treated.

2017 ESC guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation: comments from the Dutch ACS working group.

On behalf of the Dutch ACS working group, we discuss the most important changes in recommendations in the 2017 ESC guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation relevant for both the general and interventional cardiologist.

Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy for coronary artery disease.

The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for stable coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome is a complex decision. We review current literature on standard duration DAPT versus short duration DAPT (6 months or shorter) or extended duration DAPT (>12 months) after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stent placement, and prolonged treatment after 12 months in acute coronary syndrome. Current guideline recommendations are summarised, including the use of risk scores for ischaemic and bleeding risk assessment. Because of the limitations of current risk scores, we propose multiple patient-related and procedure-related factors for the ischaemic and bleeding risk assessment aiding in personalised DAPT duration.

[Should we follow the HEART score in patients presenting with chest pain?] / Moeten we de HEART-score volgen bij pijn op de borst?

This article comments on the use of the HEART score as a guide for further management in patients presenting with chest pain. Although use of the HEART score has been demonstrated to be safe, further research should focus on cost-effectiveness and outcomes.