Intravascular ultrasound-guided versus angiography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock.

The benefits of intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the clinical context of cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction are lacking. We aimed to investigate the impact of IVUS-guided PCI in patients with AMI and CS. From the pooled data based on a series of Korean AMI registries during 2011-2020, we identified 1418 consecutive patients who underwent PCI with second generation drug-eluting stent (DES) for AMI and CS. The primary endpoint was the 1-year rate of target lesion failure (TLF), defined as the composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, and ischemic-driven target lesion revascularization. In total, 294 (20.7%) and 1124 (79.3%) underwent IVUS-guided and angiography-guided PCI with second generation DES implantation, respectively. The 1-year TLF was not significantly different between groups after IPTW analysis (hazard ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.65-1.34, p = 0.70). Additionally, the adjusted landmark analysis for TLF at 30 days and between 30 days and 1 year after PCI demonstrated no significant difference between the groups. In conclusion, in patients with AMI and CS who underwent PCI with second-generation DES, IVUS-guided PCI did not improve the 1-year TLF compared with angiography-guided PCI.Registration: URL:  http://cris.nih.go.kr . KCT0000863 and KCT0008355.

Embolization of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure devices: timing, management and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder embolization is an infrequent but serious complication. OBJECTIVES: We aim to describe timing, management and clinical outcomes of device embolization in a multi-center registry. METHODS: Patient characteristics, imaging findings and procedure and follow-up data were collected retrospectively. Device embolizations were categorized according to 1) timing 2) management and 3) clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Sixty-seven centers contributed data. Device embolization occurred in 108 patients. In 70.4 % of cases, it happened within the first 24 h of the procedure. The device was purposefully left in the LA and the aorta in two (1.9 %) patients, an initial percutaneous retrieval was attempted in 81 (75.0 %) and surgery without prior percutaneous retrieval attempt was performed in 23 (21.3 %) patients. Two patients died before a retrieval attempt could be made. In 28/81 (34.6 %) patients with an initial percutaneous retrieval attempt a second, additional attempt was performed, which was associated with a high mortality (death in patients with one attempt: 2.9 % vs. second attempt: 21.4 %, p < 0.001). The primary outcome (bailout surgery, cardiogenic shock, stroke, TIA, and/or death) occurred in 47 (43.5 %) patients. Other major complications related to device embolization occurred in 21 (19.4 %) patients. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of device embolizations after LAA closure occurs early. A percutaneous approach is often the preferred method for a first rescue attempt. Major adverse event rates, including death, are high particularly if the first retrieval attempt was unsuccessful. CONDENSED ABSTRACT: This dedicated multicenter registry examined timing, management, and clinical outcome of device embolization. Early embolization (70.4 %) was most frequent. As a first rescue attempt, percutaneous retrieval was preferred in 75.0 %, followed by surgical removal (21.3 %). In patients with a second retrieval attempt a higher mortality (death first attempt: 2.9 % vs. death second attempt: 24.1 %, p < 0.001) was observed. Mortality (10.2 %) and the major complication rate after device embolization were high.

Optical coherence tomography-guided versus intravascular ultrasound-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) yields clinical outcomes comparable to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. However, there is a scarcity of data comparing the clinical outcomes of OCT-guided and IVUS-guided PCI in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We sought to compare the clinical outcomes of OCT-guided vs IVUS-guided PCI for patients with AMI in the era of second-generation drug-eluting stent (DES). METHODS: We identified 5260 consecutive patients who underwent PCI with a second-generation DES for AMI under IVUS or OCT guidance from pooled data derived from a series of Korean AMI registries between 2011 and 2020. The primary endpoint was the 1-year rate of target lesion failure, defined as a composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization. RESULTS: A total of 535 (10.2%) and 4725 (89.8%) patients were treated under OCT and IVUS guidance, respectively. The 1-year target lesion failure rates were comparable between the OCT and IVUS groups before and after propensity score matching (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.42-2.05, P=.84). The OCT utilization rate did not exceed 5% of total patients treated with second-generation DES implantation during the study period. The primary factors for the selection of OCT over IVUS were the absence of chronic kidney disease, non-left main vessel disease, single-vessel disease, stent diameter <3mm, and stent length ≤ 25mm. CONCLUSIONS: OCT-guided PCI in patients with AMI treated with a second-generation DES provided comparable clinical outcomes for 1-year target lesion failure compared with IVUS-guided PCI.

Persistent and Recurrent Device-Related Thrombus After Left Atrial Appendage Closure: Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Scarce data exist on the evolution of device-related thrombus (DRT) after left atrial appendage closure (LAAC). OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the incidence, predictors, and clinical impact of persistent and recurrent DRT in LAAC recipients. METHODS: Data were obtained from an international multicenter registry including 237 patients diagnosed with DRT after LAAC. Of these, 214 patients with a subsequent imaging examination after the initial diagnosis of DRT were included. Unfavorable evolution of DRT was defined as either persisting or recurrent DRT. RESULTS: DRT resolved in 153 (71.5%) cases and persisted in 61 (28.5%) cases. Larger DRT size (OR per 1-mm increase: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02-1.15; P = 0.009) and female (OR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.12-5.26; P = 0.02) were independently associated with persistent DRT. After DRT resolution, 82 (53.6%) of 153 patients had repeated device imaging, with 14 (17.1%) cases diagnosed with recurrent DRT. Overall, 75 (35.0%) patients had unfavorable evolution of DRT, and the sole predictor was average thrombus size at initial diagnosis (OR per 1-mm increase: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03-1.16; P = 0.003), with an optimal cutoff size of 7 mm (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.39-4.52; P = 0.002). Unfavorable evolution of DRT was associated with a higher rate of thromboembolic events compared with resolved DRT (26.7% vs 15.1%; HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.15-3.94; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: About one-third of DRT events had an unfavorable evolution (either persisting or recurring), with a larger initial thrombus size (particularly >7 mm) portending an increased risk. Unfavorable evolution of DRT was associated with a 2-fold higher risk of thromboembolic events compared with resolved DRT.

Invasive physiologic assessment of coronary artery stenosis by resting full-cycle ratio and fractional flow reserve: a prospective observational study.

Resting full-cycle ratio (RFR), an alternative to fractional flow reserve (FFR) for evaluating intermediate coronary artery stenosis, helps reduce patients' time, cost, and discomfort. However, the validation data for RFR and FFR are lacking. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of RFR and FFR and evaluate effective decision-making for revascularization using their values. Patients subjected to an invasive physiological study for intermediate coronary artery stenosis in Yongin Severance hospital between October 2020 and April 2022 were prospectively and consecutively recruited. We evaluated the correlation between RFR and FFR measurements and the diagnostic performance of RFR (≤ 0.89) versus FFR (≤ 0.80). In all, 474 intermediate coronary stenosis lesions from 400 patients were evaluated using RFR and FFR values. There was a strong linear relationship between RFR and FFR (r = 0.75, 95% CI 0.70-0.78, p < 0.01). Comparing diagnostic performance between RFR and FFR, RFR demonstrated diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 85.0%, 80.0%, 86.7%, 67.1%, and 92.7%, respectively. We analyzed the RFR value in the hyperemia zone (0.86-0.93) according to positive (RFR: 0.86-0.89) and negative (RFR: 0.90-0.93) areas. PPV in positive area is 47.8% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 33.8% to 62.0%) and NPV in negative area is 87.7% (95% CI: 80.3% to 93.1%). Excellent correlation exists between RFR and FFR and the diagnostic value of RFR without hyperemia compared with FFR in establishing the accurate functional significance of coronary artery stenosis was shown. RFR alone could evaluate the functional significance of coronary artery stenosis without unnecessary hyperemia, except in the positive area.Trial registration: URL: http://trialsearch.who.int ; Unique identifier: KCT0005255.

Perioperative Antiplatelet Strategy in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery Within One Year After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The optimal antiplatelet therapy (APT) for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery within 1 year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not yet established. METHODS: Patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery within 1 year after second-generation drug-eluting stent implantation were included from a multicenter prospective registry in Korea. The primary endpoint was 30-day net adverse clinical event (NACE), including all-cause death, major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), and major bleeding events. Covariate adjustment using propensity score was performed. RESULTS: Among 1130 eligible patients, 708 (62.7%) continued APT during non-cardiac surgery. After propensity score adjustment, APT continuation was associated with a lower incidence of NACE (3.7% vs 5.5%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.89; P = .019) and MACE (1.1% vs 1.9%; adjusted OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.12-0.99; P = .046), whereas the incidence of major bleeding events was not different between the 2 APT strategies (1.7% vs 2.6%; adjusted OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.25-1.50; P = .273). CONCLUSIONS: The APT continuation strategy was chosen in a substantial proportion of patients and was associated with the benefit of potentially reducing 30-day NACE and MACE with similar incidence of major bleeding events, compared with APT discontinuation. This study suggests a possible benefit of APT continuation in non-cardiac surgery within 1 year of second-generation drug-eluting stent implantation.

Comparison of spasmolytic regimen for prevention of radial artery spasm during the distal radial approach: A single-center, randomized study.

Background: The distal radial approach (DRA) for coronary catheterization is increasingly being used worldwide yet the optimal medication regimen to prevent radial artery spasm (RAS), an important factor for the success of the procedure, remains unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of medication for preventing RAS via the DRA. Methods: This was a prospective, comparative randomized study including 400 patients who underwent coronary catheterization via DRA in single center by three experienced DRA operators. Patients were randomized to either nitroglycerin (NTG) injection (N = 200) or NTG plus verapamil (N = 200) to compare the effectiveness and safety of these regimens. Results: There were no differences between the groups in the changes in radial artery diameter at most spastic area (0.34 ± 0.20 in the NTG group, 0.35 ± 0.20 in the NTG plus verapamil group; P = 0.73). There was no difference between the groups in the ratio of patients without arm pain during the procedure (95.0% in the NTG group, 93.5% in the NTG plus verapamil group; P = 0.67). However, there was a greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure in the NTG plus verapamil group (-8.3 ± 7.9 mmHg) than in the NTG group (-6.6 ± 7.6 mmHg) (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Intra-arterial injection of NTG as a single agent is effective and safe in the prevention of RAS during coronary catheterization via the DRA compared with a cocktail regimen of NTG plus verapamil. Clinical trial registration: https://cris.nih.go.kr, identifier KCT0005177.

Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale Closure After Stroke.

Percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with a prior PFO-associated stroke showed a risk reduction of the stroke recurrence compared to the medical therapy alone in recent several studies. Nevertheless, optimal patient selection for PFO closure has not been clarified. In this paper, we discuss the characteristics of PFO-associated strokes and discuss the recently published evidence and patient selection for PFO closure in patients with ischemic stroke. The lesions characteristics of PFO-associated stroke are associated with multiple scattered lesion, small sized cerebral cortical lesion, or posterior circulation. Overcoming the failure of early studies in CLOSURE I, PC, and RESPECT trials, PFO closure showed a significant reduction in recurrent stroke in recently published REDUCE, CLOSE, DEFENSE-PRO trials, and long-term follow-up data of RESPECT study. However, considering that PFO closure cannot completely prevent stroke recurrence and that complications including atrial fibrillation, we should be selectively performed in patients with high-risk PFO.

Dapagliflozin attenuates diabetes-induced diastolic dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis by regulating SGK1 signaling.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported improved diastolic function in patients administered sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). We aimed to investigate the effect of dapagliflozin on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in a diabetic animal model and to determine the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying its function. METHODS: A total of 30 male New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into control, diabetes, or diabetes+dapagliflozin groups (n = 10/per each group). Diabetes was induced by intravenous alloxan. Cardiac function was evaluated using echocardiography. Myocardial samples were obtained for histologic and molecular evaluation. For cellular evaluation, fibrosis-induced cardiomyoblast (H9C2) cells were obtained, and transfection was performed for mechanism analysis (serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) signaling analysis). RESULTS: The diabetes+dapagliflozin group showed attenuation of diastolic dysfunction compared with the diabetes group. Dapagliflozin inhibited myocardial fibrosis via inhibition of SGK1 and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) protein, which was observed both in myocardial tissue and H9C2 cells. In addition, dapagliflozin showed an anti-inflammatory effect and ameliorated mitochondrial disruption. Inhibition of SGK1 expression by siRNA decreased and ENaC and Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) expression was confirmed as significantly reduced as siSGK1 in the diabetes+dapagliflozin group. CONCLUSIONS: Dapagliflozin attenuated left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis via regulation of SGK1 signaling. Dapagliflozin also reduced macrophages and inflammatory proteins and ameliorated mitochondrial disruption.

Corrigendum: Safety and efficacy of contemporary drug-eluting stents in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and a high ischemic risk.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.880351.].

Safety and Efficacy of Contemporary Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and a High Ischemic Risk.

Background: In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with a high risk of ischemic events, the safety and efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) are unclear. Methods: Based on the nationwide, multicenter, prospective registry, we selected 1,592 patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with everolimus-(EES) and zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES) for STEMI with a high risk of an ischemic event. The occurrence of target lesion failure (TLF) for 3 years, defined as the composite of cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction (TV-MI), and ischemia-driven target lesion revascularization (ID-TLR), was evaluated. Results: The prevalence of high ischemic risk features was observed in 43.4% (2,744/6,325) of overall patients with STEMI. Among them, a total of 1,078 and 514 patients were treated with EES and ZES, respectively. At 3 years, the risk of TLF was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.93). In addition, the incidence of cardiac death, TV-MI, ID-TLR, and definite/probable stent thrombosis (ST) were also not different between the two groups. Moreover, elderly patients (age > 75 years) and PCI for the left main disease were identified as independent predictors of TLF. Conclusion: Implantation of EES or ZES provided comparable clinical outcomes in STEMI patients and high ischemic risks.

Successful Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention without Stenting: Insight from Optimal Coherence Tomography.

For patients with acute myocardial infarction, current management guidelines recommend implantation of a drug-eluting stent, dual antiplatelet therapy (including potent P2Y12 inhibitors) for at least 1 year, and maintenance of life-long antiplatelet therapy. However, a pilot study showed favorable results with antithrombotic therapy without stent implantation when plaque erosion, not definite plaque rupture, was confirmed using optical coherence tomography (OCT), despite the patients having acute myocardial infarction. Here, we present a case where successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention was performed without stenting with the aid of OCT in a patient with ST-elevation myocardial infarction who developed thrombotic total occlusion of the right coronary artery.

Clinical Implications of Poststent Optical Coherence Tomographic Findings: Severe Malapposition and Cardiac Events.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the impact of poststent optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, including severe malapposition, on long-term clinical outcomes. BACKGROUND: Suboptimal OCT findings following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are highly prevalent; however, their clinical implications remain controversial. METHODS: Of the patients registered in the Yonsei OCT registry, a total of 1,290 patients with 1,348 lesions, who underwent OCT immediately poststenting, were consecutively enrolled for this study. All patients underwent implantation of drug-eluting stents. Poststent OCT findings were assessed to identify predictors of device-oriented clinical endpoints (DoCE), including cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction (MI) or stent thrombosis, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Significant malapposition criteria associated with major safety events (MSE) were also investigated, such as cardiac death, target vessel-related MI, or stent thrombosis. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 43.0 months (interquartile range [IQR] 21.4 to 56.0 months). The incidence rates of stent edge dissection, tissue prolapse, thrombus, and malapposition after intervention were not associated with occurrence of DoCE. However, patients with significant malapposition (total malapposition volume [TMV] ≥7.0 mm3] exhibited more frequent MSE. A smaller minimal stent area (MSA) was identified as an independent predictor for DoCE (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.20 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00 to 1.43]; p = 0.045). Malapposition with TMV ≥7.0 mm3 was found to be an independent predictor of MSE (HR: 6.12 [95% CI: 1.88 to 19.95]; p = 0.003). Follow-up OCT at 3, 6, or 9 months after PCI showed that poststent TMV ≥7.0 mm3 was related to a greater occurrence of late malapposition and uncovered struts. CONCLUSIONS: Although most suboptimal OCT findings were not associated with clinical outcomes, a smaller MSA was associated with DoCE, driven mainly by TLR, and significant malapposition with TMV ≥7.0 mm3 was associated with more MSE after PCI. (Yonsei OCT [Optical Coherence Tomography] Registry for Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Coronary Stenting; Yonsei OCT registry; NCT02099162).

Management and outcomes of patients with left atrial appendage thrombus prior to percutaneous closure.

OBJECTIVE: Left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus has heretofore been considered a contraindication to percutaneous LAA closure (LAAC). Data regarding its management are very limited. The aim of this study was to analyse the medical and invasive treatment of patients referred for LAAC in the presence of LAA thrombus. METHODS: This multicentre observational registry included 126 consecutive patients referred for LAAC with LAA thrombus on preprocedural imaging. Treatment strategies included intensification of antithrombotic therapy (IAT) or direct LAAC. The primary and secondary endpoints were a composite of bleeding, stroke and death at 18 months, and procedural success, respectively. RESULTS: IAT was the preferred strategy in 57.9% of patients, with total thrombus resolution observed in 60.3% and 75.3% after initial and subsequent IAT, respectively. Bleeding complications and stroke during IAT occurred in 9.6% and 2.9%, respectively, compared with 3.8% bleeding and no embolic events in the direct LAAC group before the procedure. Procedural success was 90.5% (96.2% vs 86.3% in direct LAAC and IAT group, respectively, p=0.072), without cases of in-hospital thromboembolic complications. The primary endpoint occurred in 29.3% and device-related thrombosis was found in 12.8%, without significant difference according to treatment strategy. Bleeding complications at 18 months occurred in 22.5% vs 10.5% in the IAT and direct LAAC group, respectively (p=0.102). CONCLUSION: In the presence of LAA thrombus, IAT was the initial management strategy in half of our cohort, with initial thrombus resolution in 60% of these, but with a relatively high bleeding rate (~10%). Direct LAAC was feasible, with high procedural success and absence of periprocedural embolic complications. However, a high rate of device-related thrombosis was detected during follow-up.

Temporal Trends of Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Atrial Fibrillation: Insight From the KAMIR-NIH Registry.

Background: Triple therapy is the combination of dual antiplatelet therapy plus oral anticoagulant after stent implantation. Current guidelines recommend triple therapy for acute coronary syndrome with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to identify temporal trends of antithrombotic therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and AF. Methods: Among 13,104 consecutive patients from the Korea Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry-National Institute of Health (KAMIR-NIH) registry, we identified 453 patients with AF after stent implantation for AMI; these patients were then divided into those who did and did not use oral anticoagulant (OAC) [OAC group (n = 71) vs. non-OAC group (n = 382), respectively]. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of AF in AMI patients was 5.4% (712/13,104). Among 453 patients, only 15.7% (71/453) were treated with OAC while dual or single antiplatelet therapy was provided for 84.7% (382/453) of patients. In patients with high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2), OACs were used only in 17% (69/406). Multivariate analysis revealed that female sex [odds ratio (OR) 2.11; 95% CI: 1.17-3.79], diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.35-4.17), prior cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (OR 4.19; 95% CI: 2-8.75), and congestive heart failure (CHF) (OR 1.89; 95% CI: 1.09-3.3) as the significant determinants of OAC use. Conclusion: The study concluded that OAC was underused. Approximately, 15%, of AMI patients with AF undergoing PCI with stent and female gender, DM, prior CVA history, and a history of CHF or the presence of moderate to severe left ventricle systolic impairment were significant determinants of OAC use.

Pre-procedural determination of device size in left atrial appendage occlusion using three-dimensional cardiac computed tomography.

The complex structure of the left atrial appendage (LAA) brings limitations to the two-dimensional-based LAA occlusion (LAAO) size prediction system using transesophageal echocardiography. The LAA anatomy can be evaluated more precisely using three-dimensional images from cardiac computed tomography (CT); however, there is lack of data regarding which parameter to choose from CT-based images during pre-procedural planning of LAAO. We aimed to assess the accuracy of measurements derived from cardiac CT images for selecting LAAO devices. We retrospectively reviewed 62 patients with Amplatzer Cardiac Plug and Amulet LAAO devices who underwent implantation from 2017 to 2020. The minimal, maximal, average, area-derived, and perimeter-derived diameters of the LAA landing zone were measured using CT-based images. Predicted device sizes using sizing charts were compared with actual successfully implanted device sizes. The mean size of implanted devices was 27.1 ± 3.7 mm. The perimeter-derived diameter predicted device size most accurately (mean error = - 0.8 ± 2.4 mm). All other parameters showed significantly larger error (mean error; minimal diameter = - 4.9 ± 3.3 mm, maximal diameter = 1.0 ± 2.9 mm, average diameter = - 1.6 ± 2.6 mm, area-derived diameter = - 2.0 ± 2.6 mm) than the perimeter-derived diameter (all p for difference < 0.05). The error for other parameters were larger in cases with more eccentrically-shaped landing zones, while the perimeter-derived diameter had minor error regardless of eccentricity. When oversizing was used, all parameters showed significant disagreement. The perimeter-derived diameter on cardiac CT images provided the most accurate estimation of LAAO device size regardless of landing zone eccentricity. Oversizing was unnecessary when using cardiac CT to predict an accurate LAAO size.

Comparison of Distal Radial, Proximal Radial, and Femoral Access in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Recent studies have indicated that distal radial access (DRA) is feasible in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The present study aimed to compare DRA, proximal radial access (PRA), and femoral access (FA) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing PCI. Data were analyzed for 109 patients with STEMI treated via primary PCI from March 2020 to May 2021. The success rate of DRA was 83.3% (35/42), including seven cases of failed puncture (puncture failure = 5, severe radial artery spasm = 2). Primary PCI via the DRA was successful in all 35 patients. After classifying the patients requiring crossover into a separate group, the percentage of the puncture time in the door-to-wiring time was 2.7% [2.2-4.3], 3.3% [2.3-4.0], 2.6% [1.2-4.9], and 27.0% [13.5-29.3] in the DRA (n = 35), PRA (n = 24), FA (n = 26), and crossover (n = 9) groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Only two local hematomas (≤5 cm) occurred in the DRA group, while one patient in the FA group required surgical treatment and a transfusion for an access-site vascular injury. When performed by an experienced operator, DRA may represent a feasible alternative to other access routes in select patients with STEMI undergoing PCI, such as those with a high risk of bleeding.

Predictors of Device-Related Thrombus Following Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Device-related thrombus (DRT) has been considered an Achilles' heel of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). However, data on DRT prediction remain limited. OBJECTIVES: This study constructed a DRT registry via a multicenter collaboration aimed to assess outcomes and predictors of DRT. METHODS: Thirty-seven international centers contributed LAAO cases with and without DRT (device-matched and temporally related to the DRT cases). This study described the management patterns and mid-term outcomes of DRT and assessed patient and procedural predictors of DRT. RESULTS: A total of 711 patients (237 with and 474 without DRT) were included. Follow-up duration was similar in the DRT and no-DRT groups, median 1.8 years (interquartile range: 0.9-3.0 years) versus 1.6 years (interquartile range: 1.0-2.9 years), respectively (P = 0.76). DRTs were detected between days 0 to 45, 45 to 180, 180 to 365, and >365 in 24.9%, 38.8%, 16.0%, and 20.3% of patients. DRT presence was associated with a higher risk of the composite endpoint of death, ischemic stroke, or systemic embolization (HR: 2.37; 95% CI, 1.58-3.56; P < 0.001) driven by ischemic stroke (HR: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.35-9.00; P = 0.01). At last known follow-up, 25.3% of patients had DRT. Discharge medications after LAAO did not have an impact on DRT. Multivariable analysis identified 5 DRT risk factors: hypercoagulability disorder (odds ratio [OR]: 17.50; 95% CI: 3.39-90.45), pericardial effusion (OR: 13.45; 95% CI: 1.46-123.52), renal insufficiency (OR: 4.02; 95% CI: 1.22-13.25), implantation depth >10 mm from the pulmonary vein limbus (OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.57-3.69), and non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.22-2.97). Following conversion to risk factor points, patients with ≥2 risk points for DRT had a 2.1-fold increased risk of DRT compared with those without any risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: DRT after LAAO is associated with ischemic events. Patient- and procedure-specific factors are associated with the risk of DRT and may aid in risk stratification of patients referred for LAAO.

Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Yields Favorable Neurological Outcomes in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Prior studies have shown that stroke patients treated with percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) experience better outcomes than similar patients treated with warfarin. We investigated the impact of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure on post-stroke neurological outcomes in NVAF patients, compared with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) therapy. METHODS: Medical records for 1,427 patients in multiple registries and for 1,792 consecutive patients at 6 Korean hospitals were reviewed with respect to LAAO or NOAC treatment. Stroke severity in patients who experienced ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack after either treatment was assessed with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scoring at hospital discharge and at 3 and 12 months post-stroke. RESULTS: mRS scores were significantly lower in LAAO patients at 3 (p<0.01) and 12 months (p<0.01) post-stroke, despite no significant differences in scores before the ischemic cerebrovascular event (p=0.22). The occurrences of disabling ischemic stroke in the LAAO and NOAC groups were 36.7% and 44.2% at discharge (p=0.47), 23.3% and 44.2% at 3 months post-stroke (p=0.04), and 13.3% and 43.0% at 12 months post-stroke (p=0.01), respectively. Recovery rates for disabling ischemic stroke at discharge to 12 months post-stroke were significantly higher for LAAO patients (50.0%) than for NOAC patients (5.6%) (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous LAAO was associated with more favorable neurological outcomes after ischemic cerebrovascular event than NOAC treatment.