In-hospital cardiac arrest after STEMI: prevention strategies and post-arrest care.

INTRODUCTION: In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (IHCA) after ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is a subset of IHCA with high morbidity. While information on this selected group of patients is limited, closer inspection reveals that this is a challenging patient population with certain risk factors for IHCA following treatment of STEMI. AREAS COVERED: In this review article, strategies for prevention of IHCA post STEMI are reviewed, as well as best-practices for the care of STEMI patients post-IHCA. EXPERT OPINION: Early and successful reperfusion is key for the prevention of IHCA and has a significant impact on in-hospital mortality. A number of pharmacological treatments have also been studied that can impact the progression to IHCA. Development of cardiogenic shock post-STEMI increases mortality and raises the risk of cardiac arrest. The treatment of IHCA follows the ACLS algorithm with some notable exceptions.

Impacto pronóstico a diez años del fallo del vaso diana tras un IAMCEST. Perspectivas del ensayo EXAMINATION-EXTEND / Ten-year prognostic impact of target versus non-target vessel failure after STEMI. Insight from the EXAMINATION-EXTEND trial

Introducción y objetivos Se desconoce el impacto pronóstico de los diferentes tipos de eventos adversos tras el infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMCEST). El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar los predictores a largo plazo del objetivo combinado orientado al paciente (POCE) y si tener un fallo del vaso diana (FVD) como primer evento puede influir en los resultados. Métodos El ensayo EXAMINATION-EXTEND aleatorizó a pacientes con IAMCEST a tratamiento con stents liberadores de everolimus o a stents convencionales, con un seguimiento de hasta 10 años. En la población del estudio, se evaluaron los predictores de POCE (combinado de mortalidad por cualquier causa, infarto de miocardio y cualquier revascularización). Se clasificó a los pacientes según el tipo de primer evento (FVD primero o FDV no primero) y comparado en términos de POCE posterior. El FVD se definió como el compuesto de muerte cardiaca, IAMCEST del vaso diana y revascularización del vaso diana. Resultados De los 1.498 pacientes del estudio, 529 (35,3%) tuvieron POCE durante el seguimiento a los 10 años. Los predictores independientes de POCE fueron la edad, la diabetes mellitus, el infarto de miocardio previo, la enfermedad arterial periférica y la enfermedad coronaria multivaso. El primer evento fue un FVD o no FVD en 296 y 233 casos respectivamente. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre quienes tuvieron primero un FVD y los que tuvieron un evento no FVD en cuanto a POCE (el 21,7 frente al 39,3%; razón de tiempo, 1,79; IC95%, 0,87-3,67; p=0,12) o sus componentes individuales. Conclusiones En el seguimiento a 10 años, alrededor de un tercio de los pacientes con IAMCEST tuvo al menos 1 evento de POCE, cuyos predictores independientes fueron la edad, la diabetes mellitus y una mayor extensión de la enfermedad ateroesclerótica... (AU)

Introduction and objectivesAfter ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI), the impact of different adverse events on prognosis remains unknown. We aimed to assess very long-term predictors of patient-oriented composite endpoints (POCE) and investigate whether the occurrence of target vessel failure (TVF) vs a non-TVF event as the first event could potentially influence subsequent outcomes. Methods The EXAMINATION.EXTEND trial randomized STEMI patients to receive either an everolimus-eluting stent or a bare-metal stent. The follow-up period was 10 years. Predictors of POCE (a composite of all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, or any revascularization) were evaluated in the overall study population. The patients were stratified based on the type of first event (TVF-first vs non–TVF-first) and were compared in terms of subsequent POCE. TVF was defined as a composite of cardiac death, TV myocardial infarction, or TV revascularization. Results Out of the 1498 enrolled patients, 529 (35.3%) experienced a POCE during the 10-year follow-up. Independent predictors of POCE were age, diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and multivessel coronary disease. The first event was a TVF in 296 patients and was a non-TVF in 233 patients. No significant differences were observed between TVF-first and non–TVF-first patients in terms of subsequent POCE (21.7% vs 39.3%, time ratio 1.79; 95%CI, 0.87-3.67; P=.12) or its individual components. Conclusions At the 10-year follow-up, approximately one-third of STEMI patients had experienced at least 1 POCE. Independent predictors of these events were age, diabetes, and more extensive atherosclerotic disease. The occurrence of a TVF or a non-TVF as the first event did not seem to influence subsequent outcomes. Trial registration number: NCT04462315. (AU)

GRACE scores or high-sensitivity troponin for timing of coronary angiography in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The GRACE risk score is generically recommended by guidelines for timing of invasive coronary angiography without stating which score should be used. The aim was to determine the diagnostic performance of different GRACE risk scores in comparison to the ESC 0/1 h-algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn). METHODS: Prospectively enrolled patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of myocardial infarction (MI) in two large studies testing biomarker diagnostic strategies were included. Five GRACE risk scores were calculated. The amount of risk reclassification and the theoretical impact on guideline-recommended timing of invasive coronary angiography was studied. RESULTS: Overall, 8,618 patients were eligible for analyses. Comparing different GRACE risk scores, up to 63.8% of participants were reclassified into a different risk category. The proportion of MIs identified (i.e., sensitivity) dramatically differed between GRACE risk scores (range 23.8-66.5%) and was lower for any score than for the ESC 0/1 h-algorithm (78.1%). Supplementing the ESC 0/1 h-algorithm with a GRACE risk score slightly increased sensitivity (P < 0.001 for all scores). However, this increased the number of false positive results. CONCLUSION: The substantial amount of risk reclassification causes clinically meaningful differences in the proportion of patients meeting the recommended threshold for pursuing early invasive strategy according to the different GRACE scores. The single best test to detect MIs is the ESC 0/1 h-algorithm. Combining GRACE risk scoring with hs-cTn testing slightly increases the detection of MIs but also increases the number of patients with false positive results who would undergo potential unnecessarily early invasive coronary angiography.

Ten-year prognostic impact of target versus non-target vessel failure after STEMI. Insight from the EXAMINATION-EXTEND trial.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: After ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI), the impact of different adverse events on prognosis remains unknown. We aimed to assess very long-term predictors of patient-oriented composite endpoints (POCE) and investigate whether the occurrence of target vessel failure (TVF) vs a non-TVF event as the first event could potentially influence subsequent outcomes. METHODS: The EXAMINATION-EXTEND trial randomized STEMI patients to receive either an everolimus-eluting stent or a bare-metal stent. The follow-up period was 10 years. Predictors of POCE (a composite of all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, or any revascularization) were evaluated in the overall study population. The patients were stratified based on the type of first event (TVF-first vs non-TVF-first) and were compared in terms of subsequent POCE. TVF was defined as a composite of cardiac death, TV myocardial infarction, or TV revascularization. RESULTS: Out of the 1498 enrolled patients, 529 (35.3%) experienced a POCE during the 10-year follow-up. Independent predictors of POCE were age, diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and multivessel coronary disease. The first event was a TVF in 296 patients and was a non-TVF in 233 patients. No significant differences were observed between TVF-first and non-TVF-first patients in terms of subsequent POCE (21.7% vs 39.3%, time ratio 1.79; 95%CI, 0.87-3.67;P=.12) or its individual components. CONCLUSIONS: At the 10-year follow-up, approximately one-third of STEMI patients had experienced at least 1 POCE. Independent predictors of these events were age, diabetes, and more extensive atherosclerotic disease. The occurrence of a TVF or a non-TVF as the first event did not seem to influence subsequent outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04462315.

Favorable factors for the survival of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with medium- and high-risk thrombolysis in myocardial infarction scores.

OBJECTIVE: ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a time-sensitive emergency. This study screened the favorable factors for the survival of STEMI patients with medium- and high-risk thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) scores. METHODS: According to the TIMI scores at admission, 433 STEMI patients were retrospectively and consecutively selected and allocated into low-/medium-/high-risk groups, with their general information/blood routine/biochemical indicators/coagulation indicators documented. The factors influencing the in-hospital survival of STEMI patients were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Moreover, the predictive value of favorable factors was analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve, and patients were assigned into high/low level groups based on the cut-off value of these factors, with their in-hospital survival rates compared. RESULTS: The in-hospital survival rate of the medium-/high-risk groups was lower than that of the low-risk group. Emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), lymphocyte (LYM), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and sodium (Na) were independent favorable factors for in-hospital survival in the medium-/high-risk groups. Besides, LYM > 1.275 × 109/L, TP > 60.25 g/L, ALB > 34.55 g/L, and Na > 137.9 mmo1/L had auxiliary predictive value for the survival of STEMI patients with medium-/high-risk TIMI scores. Patients with high levels of LYM, TP, ALB, and Na exhibited higher in-hospital survival rates than patients with low levels. CONCLUSION: For STEMI patients with medium- and high-risk TIMI scores, accepting emergency PCI and normal levels of LYM, TP, ALB, and Na were more conducive to in-hospital survival.

Bivalirudin in acute coronary syndromes.

INTRODUCTION: Bivalirudin, a bivalent direct thrombin inhibitor, has been developed to reduce bleeding without any trade-off in thrombotic events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). AREAS COVERED: Despite showing a superior safety profile compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH), bivalirudin is not considered the anticoagulant of choice in ACS patients undergoing PCI, mainly because of an increased rate of acute stent thrombosis (ST) shown by several randomized controlled trials (RCTs), in addition to limited availability in certain countries and increased costs. However, RCTs on bivalirudin have been characterized by several confounding factors hindering the interpretation of its safety and efficacy compared with UFH among the spectrum of ACS patients. Furthermore, a significant body of evidence has demonstrated that the risk of acute ST can be mitigated by a full-dose infusion regimen following PCI, without compromising the favorable safety profile compared to UFH. EXPERT OPINION: In light of the increased understanding of the prognostic relevance of bleeding events and the excellent safety profile of bivalirudin, recent trial evidence may allow for this anticoagulant agent to reemerge and have a more prominent role in the management of ACS patients undergoing PCI.

Natural History and Clinical Outcomes After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Without Stent Insertion.

After restoration of coronary perfusion in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), discrete severe stenotic coronary lesions are not always apparent. There remains ambiguity whether drug-eluting stent (DES) insertion or initial medical management is best practice. We sought to assess short-term clinical outcomes in patients presenting with STEMI without initial stent insertion. Patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI between 2014 and 2020 were prospectively enrolled and assessed for inclusion. Patients presenting with in-stent restenosis or stent thrombosis, or who did not survive to hospital discharge were excluded. Of 13,871 patients presenting, 456 (3.3%) were treated without initial stenting. These patients were older than those treated with DES (66.1 ± 13.6 vs 62.3 ± 12.4 years, p <0.001), had higher rates of diabetes (23.5% vs 16.0%, p <0.001) and previous revascularization with either percutaneous coronary intervention (14.0% vs 7.3%, p <0.001) or coronary artery bypass graft (3.5% vs 1.8%, p = 0.008). Thirty-day mortality was elevated in patients treated without stenting compared to those receiving DES (4.2% vs 0.9%, p <0.001), as were rates of myocardial infarction (1.3% vs 0.5%, p = 0.026) and major adverse cardiac events (10.5% vs 2.4%, p <0.001). After propensity matching, a trend toward increased mortality remained (4.2% vs 2.0%, p = 0.055). In conclusion, a no-stenting initial strategy, compared with DES insertion, is associated with increased 30-day mortality in those presenting with STEMI without severe stenosis. These data suggest when appropriate, current-generation DES insertion should be undertaken.

Missing occlusions: Quality gaps for ED patients with occlusion MI.

BACKGROUND: ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) guidelines encourage monitoring of false positives (Code STEMI without culprit) but ignore false negatives (non-STEMI with occlusion myocardial infarction [OMI]). We evaluated the hospital course of emergency department (ED) patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using STEMI vs OMI paradigms. METHODS: This retrospective chart review examined all ACS patients admitted through two academic EDs, from June 2021 to May 2022, categorized as 1) OMI (acute culprit lesion with TIMI 0-2 flow, or acute culprit lesion with TIMI 3 flow and peak troponin I >10,000 ng/L; or, if no angiogram, peak troponin >10,000 ng/L with new regional wall motion abnormality), 2) NOMI (Non-OMI, i.e. MI without OMI) or 3) MIRO (MI ruled out: no troponin elevation). Patients were stratified by admission for STEMI. Initial ECGs were reviewed for automated interpretation of "STEMI", and admission/discharge diagnoses were compared. RESULTS: Among 382 patients, there were 141 OMIs, 181 NOMIs, and 60 MIROs. Only 40.4% of OMIs were admitted as STEMI: 60.0% had "STEMI" on ECG, and median door-to-cath time was 103 min (IQR 71-149). But 59.6% of OMIs were not admitted as STEMI: 1.3% had "STEMI" on ECG (p < 0.001) and median door-to-cath time was 1712 min (IQR 1043-3960; p < 0.001). While 13.9% of STEMIs were false positive and had a different discharge diagnosis, 32.0% of Non-STEMIs had OMI but were still discharged as "Non-STEMI." CONCLUSIONS: STEMI criteria miss a majority of OMI, and discharge diagnoses highlight false positive STEMI but never false negative STEMI. The OMI paradigm reveals quality gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Clinical risk factors and outcomes of young patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analysis the clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute STEMI in patients aged ≤ 45 years. METHODS: Seven hundred and one patients with STEMI from Liaocheng People's Hospital from January 2018 to March 2021 were included in this study. Clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes (average follow-up: 11.5 months) were compared between patients aged ≤ 45 years and those aged > 45 years. RESULTS: Of the patients with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention, 108 (15.4%) were aged ≤ 45 years. Compared to the older group, the younger patient group included more males, current smokers, and those with alcohol use disorder (AUD) or a family history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The culprit vessel in young patients was the left anterior descending (LAD) artery (60% vs. 45.9%, P = 0.031), which may have been due to smoking (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-10.98, P = 0.042). Additionally, young patients presented with higher low-density lipoprotein and lower high-density lipoprotein levels than older patients; uric acid levels were also significantly higher in younger patients than that in the older group. Diabetes showed a trend toward major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in both groups; age and sex were both independent predictors of MACE in older patients. CONCLUSION: More patients who were smokers, had AUD, or a family history of IHD were present in the young patient group. Hyperuricaemia (but not dyslipidaemia) was a prevalent risk factor in patients aged ≤ 45 years. Diabetes should be controlled to reduce cardiovascular events in young patients.

Factors Associated with Symptom-to-Door Delay in Patients with ST-Segment Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Decreasing symptom-to-door (S2D) delay is of vital importance for reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The factors associated with S2D delay in STEMI patients have not been well-characterized. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with S2D delay in patients with STEMI. METHODS: The PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase databases were searched for data. References from the selected articles and relevant background papers were also manually searched to identify additional eligible studies. The included articles were reviewed and assessed for risk of bias. The level of evidence for each identified factor was evaluated using a semiquantitative synthesis. RESULTS: Twelve (12) papers were included in the review. Factors associated with S2D delay were complex and could be divided into sociodemographic, clinical history, and onset characteristics. The level of evidence regarding female sex and diabetes was strong, and the evidence was moderate regarding older age, smoking, history of hypertension, self-transport, or referral. CONCLUSIONS: Female sex, older age, previous diabetes, previous hypertension, smoking, and self-transport are all strong or moderate risk factors for S2D time delay in patients with ST-segment myocardial infarction. More efforts should be made to educate at-risk populations concerning symptoms of STEMI and the importance of seeking early medical assistance.

Validation of plasma D-dimer in Chinese patients with acute non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Objective: To analyze the predictive values of D-dimer in Chinese patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods: We retrospectively retrieved consecutive patients hospitalized due to acute NSTEMI from January 2015 to December 2018 from the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) library. Clinical and follow-up data were collected. The primary endpoint was major adverse composite cardiovascular events (MACEs), such as all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. The secondary endpoints included all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, heart failure, and severe arrhythmias. The Cox regression model was used to evaluate the association between risk factors and clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with NSTEMI. Results: A total of 673 patients were included; the median age was 64.0 (53.0-75.0) years old and 76.2% were men. Patients with higher D-dimer levels were more often women, older, had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, and had a higher incidence of MACEs (59.9 vs. control 9.0%; p < 0.001) and all-cause death (49.1 vs. control 2.2%; p < 0.001). The multivariate Cox analysis suggested that the D-dimer level was an independent predictor of MACEs (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.069, 95% CI: 1.010-1.132, p = 0.021). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis suggested that D-dimer levels were better than the Charlson Comorbidity Index in all-cause death. Conclusion: In Chinese patients with acute NSTEMI, higher D-dimer levels on admission suggest a poor long-term prognosis.

Effectiveness and safety of P2Y12 inhibitors in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide registry-based study.

AIMS: To compare the effectiveness and safety of clopidogrel, ticagrelor, and prasugrel in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Nationwide, registry-based study of STEMI patients treated with primary PCI (2011-17) and subsequently with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor. The effectiveness outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as a composite of recurrent myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, stroke, or cardiovascular death at 12 months. The safety outcome was bleeding requiring hospitalization at 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression with average treatment effect modeling was used to calculate absolute and relative risks for outcomes standardized to the distributions of demographic characteristics of all included subjects. We included 10 832 patients; 1 697 were treated with clopidogrel, 7 508 with ticagrelor, and 1,627 with prasugrel. Median ages were 66, 63, and 59 years (P < 0.001). Standardized relative risks of MACE were 0.75 for ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.83), 0.84 for prasugrel vs. clopidogrel (95% CI, 0.73-0.94), and 1.12 for prasugrel vs. ticagrelor (95% CI, 1.00-1.24). Standardized relative risks of bleeding were 0.77 for ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel (95% CI, 0.59-0.93), 0.89 for prasugrel vs. clopidogrel (95% CI, 0.64-1.15), and 1.17 for prasugrel vs. ticagrelor (95% CI, 0.89-1.45). CONCLUSION: Ticagrelor and prasugrel were associated with lower risks of MACE after STEMI than clopidogrel, and ticagrelor was associated with a marginal reduction compared with prasugrel. The risk of bleeding was lower with ticagrelor compared with clopidogrel, but did not significantly differ between ticagrelor and prasugrel.

Clinical variables for predicting type-1 and type-2 non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in those presenting with ischemic symptoms.

Introduction: The accuracy of detecting myocardial infarction (MI) has greatly improved with the advent of more sensitive assays, and this has led to etiologic subtyping. Distinguishing between type 1 and type 2 non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) early in the clinical course allows for the most appropriate advanced diagnostic procedures and most efficacious treatments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive effect of demographic and clinical variables on predicting NSTEMI subtypes in patients presenting with ischemic symptoms. Material and methods: We performed a single institution retrospective cohort study of patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with ischemic signs and symptoms consistent with non-ST-segment myocardial infarction, for whom results of coronary angiography were available. We analyzed demographic, laboratory, echocardiography and angiography data to determine predictors of NSTEMI sub-types. Results: Five hundred and forty-six patients were enrolled; 426 patients were found on coronary angiography to have type 1 acute MI (T1AMI), whereas 120 patients had type 2 acute MI (T2AMI). Age (OR per year = 1.03 (1.00, 1.05), p = 0.03), prior MI (OR = 3.50 (1.68, 7.22), p = 0.001), L/H > 2.0 (OR = 1.55 (1.12, 2.13), p = 0.007), percentage change in troponin I > 25% (OR = 2.54 (1.38, 4.69), p = 0.003), and regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) (OR = 3.53 (1.46, 8.54), p = 0.004) were independent predictors of T1AMI, whereas sex, race, body mass index, hypertension, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), heart failure, family history (FH) of coronary artery disease (CAD), HbA1c, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were not. Conclusions: Key clinical variables such as age, prior MI, L/H ratio, percentage change in troponin I, and presence of RWMA on echocardiogram may be utilized as significant predictors of T1AMI in patients presenting with ischemic symptoms to the ED.

Hyperuricemia is Associated With 2- and 5-Year Adverse Outcomes in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Hyperuricemia has recently been identified as a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases; however, prognostic value of hyperuricemia in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remained unclear. Simultaneously, the mechanism of this possible relationship has not been clarified. At present, some views believe that hyperuricemia may be related to the inflammatory response. Our study aimed to investigate the association between hyperuricemia and long-term poor prognosis and inflammation in STEMI patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 1,448 consecutive patients with STEMI were studied throughout 2013 at a single center. The primary endpoint was all-cause death at 2- and 5-year follow-up. Inflammatory biomarkers were collected on admission of those patients: high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and white blood cell (WBC) count. Results: Hyperuricemia was associated with higher 2- and 5-year all-cause death in STEME patients compared to normouricemia (5.5% vs. 1.4%, P <0.001; 8.0% vs 3.9%, P = 0.004; respectively). After multivariable adjustment, hyperuricemia was still an independent predictor of 2-year all-cause death (hazard ratio (HR) =4.332, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.990-9.430, P <0.001) and 5-year all-cause death (HR =2.063, 95% CI: 1.186-3.590, P =0.010). However, there was no difference in hs-CRP, ESR, and WBC count on admission in STEMI patients with hyperuricemia compared to normouricemia (P >0.05). Conclusions: Hyperuricemia was associated with higher risks of 2- and 5-year all-cause deaths in patients with STEMI undergoing PCI. However, this study did not find a correlation between hyperuricemia and inflammatory responses in newly admitted STEMI patients.

Serum uric acid in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: An innocent bystander or leading actor?

Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels have been associated with several cardiovascular risk factors and the progression of coronary artery disease. In the setting of acute myocardial infarction, increasing evidence suggests that high SUA levels could be related to adverse outcomes. Interestingly elevated SUA levels have been linked to endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential negative effects of SUA in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention, analyzing the possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Postinfarction Ventricular Septal Rupture: Identification of the Failure Mechanism of a Percutaneous Closure Procedure.

Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare but highly lethal (∼60%) mechanical complication of myocardial infarction (MI). Although surgical repair has been the gold standard to correct the structural anomaly, percutaneous closure of the defect may represent a valuable therapeutic alternative, with the advantage of immediate shunt reduction to prevent further hemodynamic deterioration in patients with prohibitive surgical risk. Nonetheless, catheter-based VSR closure has faced certain drawbacks that have hampered its application. We describe a clinical case of postinfarction VSR treated with a percutaneous closure device and discuss the procedure's failure mechanism. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Effect of Cardiac Catheterization Personnel On Time to Treatment for Myocardial Infarction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of physician and nonphysician cardiac catherization laboratory personnel on the treatment of myocardial infarction. METHODS: Admissions data from 4 Las Vegas, Nevada hospitals were analyzed via multivariate regression analysis to determine predictors of reperfusion times. The goal for reperfusion is a door-to-balloon time of less than 90 minutes. RESULTS: Prehospital ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) activation, cardiologist arrival time, lifesaving measures, door-to-electrocardiogram (ECG) time, time and day, critical diagnostic examinations, and door-to-first-medical-doctor time all significantly affected door-to-balloon time. However, cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) staff arrival time did not affect door-to-balloon time. DISCUSSION: This study confirms the well-established importance of prehospital ECG and STEMI protocol activation. The results also indicate the importance of cardiologist arrival time on reperfusion times as this explained a significant amount of the explained variance in door-to-balloon time. CCL team arrival time did not affect door-to-balloon time, dispelling a long-held belief that reducing the response time of the CCL team significantly reduced reperfusion times. CONCLUSION: Although cardiologist arrival time influenced door-to-balloon time, CCL staff arrival time did not. Programs to provide greater laboratory coverage might help improve reperfusion times as well as assist STEMI program coordinators in developing more efficient protocols.

Symptomatology, prognosis and clinical findings of STEMI as a ramification of COVID-19: A systematic review and proportion meta-analysis.

Background: There is an increasing COVID-19 population with concurrent STEMI. SARS-CoV-2 poses a significant risk of hypercoagulable and/or prothrombotic events due to the disturbance in hemostasis by affecting all three components of the Virchow's triad. These abnormalities in hemostasis are an increased risk factor for cardiovascular events, including acute thrombotic occlusion of coronary arteries leading to myocardial infarction. Objective: The objective of this study is to collate the prognosis, symptomatology and clinical findings of COVID-19 adverse events causing STEMI. Methods: Databases were queried with various keyword combinations to find applicable articles. Cardiovascular risk factors, symptomatology, mortality and rates of PCI were analyzed using random-effect model. Results: 15 studies with a total of 379 patients were included in the final analysis. Mean age of patients was 62.82 ± 36.01, with a male predominance (72%, n = 274). Hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus were the most common cardiovascular risk factors among these patients, with a pooled proportion of 72%, 59% and 40% respectively. Dyspnea (61%, n = 131) was the most frequent presenting symptom, followed by chest pain (60%, n = 101) and fever (56%, n = 104). 62% of the patients had obstructive CAD during coronary angiography. The primary reperfusion method used in the majority of cases was percutaneous coronary intervention (64%, n = 124). Mortality, which is the primary outcome in our study, was relatively high, with a rate of 34% across studies. Conclusion: Our findings show that most cases have been found in males, while the most common risk factors were Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus. In most COVID-19 cases with ST-segment myocardial infarction, most hospitalized patients underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention instead of fibrinolysis. The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher, making this report significant. As the sample size and reported study are considerably less, it warrants a further large-scale investigation to generalize it.

COVID-19-mediated patient delay caused increased total ischaemic time in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to evaluate changes in treatment delay and outcome for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the Netherlands during the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, thereby comparing regions with a high and low COVID-19 hospitalisation rate. METHODS: Clinical characteristics, STEMI timing variables, 30-day all-cause mortality and cardiovascular complications of all consecutive patients admitted for STEMI from 1 January to 30 June in 2020 and 2019 to six hospitals performing a high volume of percutaneous coronary interventions were collected retrospectively using data from the Netherlands Heart Registry, hospital records and ambulance report forms. Patient delay, pre-hospital delay and door-to-balloon time before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 were compared to the equivalent periods in 2019. RESULTS: A total of 2169 patients were included. During the outbreak median total treatment delay significantly increased (2 h 51 min vs 2 h 32 min; p = 0.043) due to an increased patient delay (1 h 20 min vs 1 h; p = 0.030) with more late presentations > 24 h (1.1% vs 0.3%) in 2020. This increase was particularly evident during the peak phase of COVID-19 in regions with a high COVID-19 hospitalisation rate. During the peak phase door-to-balloon time was shorter (38 min vs 43 min; p = 0.042) than in 2019. All-cause 30-day mortality was comparable in both time frames (7.8% vs 7.3%; p = 0.797). CONCLUSIONS: During the outbreak of COVID-19 patient delay caused an increase in total ischaemic time for STEMI, with a more pronounced delay in high-endemic regions, stressing the importance of good patient education during comparable crisis situations.

The Index of Microcirculatory Resistance after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Predicts Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) is a simple method that can measure microvascular function after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). This study is to find out whether IMR predicts clinical long-term outcomes in STEMI patients. A total of 316 patients with STEMI who underwent primary PCI from 2005 to 2015 were enrolled. The IMR was measured using pressure sensor/thermistor-tipped guidewire after primary PCI. The primary endpoint was the rate of death or hospitalization for heart failure (HF) over a mean follow-up period of 65 months. The mean corrected IMR was 29.4 ± 20.0. Patients with an IMR > 29 had a higher rate of the primary endpoint compared to patients with an IMR ≤ 29 (10.3% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.001). During the follow-up period, 13 patients (4.1%) died and 6 patients (1.9%) were hospitalized for HF. An IMR > 29 was associated with an increased risk of death or hospitalization for HF (OR 5.378, p = 0.004). On multivariable analysis, IMR > 29 (OR 3.962, p = 0.022) remained an independent predictor of death or hospitalization for HF with age (OR 1.048, p = 0.049) and symptom-to-balloon time (OR 1.002, p = 0.049). High IMR was an independent predictor for poor long-term clinical outcomes in STEMI patients after primary PCI.