Long-term outcomes in very young patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.

Myocardial infarction (MI) with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) covers an expanding group of patients over recent years. Previous studies showed considerable risks of outcomes in this group. However, there is a lack of evidence in young patients with MINOCA. In this study, we aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes in very young patients with MINOCA. We retrospectively compared the features and predictors of 183 very young (≤40-year-old) patients to >40-year-old patients with MINOCA. We compared the baseline characteristics and major adverse cardiac events (total MI, revascularization and mortality) rates between the groups during a median follow-up of 7.3 years. We performed the Cox regression analysis to investigate the risk factors for mortality. We found that the ≤40-year-old group with MINOCA had 12% mortality rates during the follow-up. They had significantly lower rates of diabetes and hypertension and higher rates of male gender and smoking compared to the older group. The very young group also had lower rates of CRF, previous MI and atrial fibrillation. The ≤40-year-old groups received significantly lower rates of medications. Ejection fraction (EF) <30% was independently associated with 6-fold increases in total mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 6.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42-27.2, P = 0.02] in the ≤40-year-old group. In conclusion, the ≤40-year-old patients with MINOCA have substantial long-term mortality rates. EF <30% was independently associated with total mortality in this group. Moreover, the ≤40-year-old group also received less intense medical therapy compared to their older counterparts.

Long-Term Change in Flow Rates in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary slow flow (CSF) is a condition characterized by impaired blood flow rates in the coronary arteries. It can result in severe cardiovascular outcomes. There is no sufficient evidence regarding the certain etiology and reversibility of slow flow patterns and changes in frame counts with long-term management. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 48 patients with chronic coronary syndrome and CSF who underwent a second angiography. A corrected coronary frame rate (CFR) >27 was defined as CSF. We created 3 groups according to the change in CSF status as the improved, not changed, and worsened groups. We compared the CFR and CSF status of the patients between the first and second angiographies within a median of 2.6 years. RESULTS: We determined a nonsignificant change in cCFR in left anterior descending (LAD) artery (34.4 [18.9] vs. 31.59 [10.3], p = 0.35), circumflex (Cx) artery (42.84 [12.56] vs. 40.66 [13.2], p = 0.35), and right coronary artery (RCA) (57.80 [30.13] vs. 50.32 [19.5], p = 0.11). In the comparison of CSF status of LAD (75% vs. 63%, p = 0.27), Cx (96% vs. 83%, p = 0.09), RCA (94% vs. 94%, p = 1.0) between first and second angiographies, there was no significant change. In the comparison of the 3 groups according to the improvement of CSF status, there was no significant difference in demographic features, change in laboratory parameters, and time between the groups. CONCLUSION: There was no significant change in the median CFR and CSF status in the overall group between the two angiographies after 3 years.

Outcomes of Coronary Artery By-Pass Grafting Under Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction.

Patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI) or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have a higher ischemic risk in addition to perioperative bleeding risk when undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Data regarding preoperative dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) failed to create a clear recommendation. In the present study, we assessed the relationship between preoperative DAPT use and adverse outcomes, particularly in ST-elevation MI (STEMI) patients. We retrospectively analyzed 748 consecutive patients with STEMI who underwent subsequent CABG surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those on DAPT up to the day before CABG and those discontinued DAPT >5 days before CABG. Predictors of in-hospital mortality and major bleeding were analyzed by multivariate analysis. Preoperative DAPT was not associated with in-hospital mortality (Odds Ratio (OR):1.81; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): .89-3.68, P = .10) and major bleeding (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: .63-2.08, P = .65) after multivariate analysis. However, glycoprotein (Gp) 2b/3a inhibitors were independently associated with higher major bleeding rates. Age, shock, and EF (ejection fraction) <30% were associated with in-hospital mortality. Previous MI, Gp 2b/3a inhibitors, and EF <30% were predictors of major bleeding. In conclusion, there were no association between pre-CABG DAPT use and in-hospital mortality and major bleeding.

Balloon Angioplasty Versus Stenting in Patients With ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction Before Subsequent Coronary Artery By-Pass Grafting.

Decision of ad hoc revascularization strategy in patients who require coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) following primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) is challenging due to the pros and cons of only-ballooning and stenting. In this study, we aimed to compare the outcomes of only-balloon-angioplasty to stenting in primary PCI in patients with ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) who required a subsequent CABG. We retrospectively analyzed 350 consecutive STEMI patients who needed CABG in addition to primary balloon angioplasty (n = 160) and stenting strategy (n = 190). In-hospital and 5-year outcomes of the patients were compared between the 2 groups. In-hospital mortality rates in the ballooning and stenting groups were not nonsignificantly different (11.2% vs 9.5%, respectively, P = .59); 5-year mortality rates were also similar between the 2 groups (9.2% vs 8.7%, P = .89). Additionally, major bleeding rates (3.8% vs 6.3%, P = .28) did not differ between the 2 groups. In conclusion, our study showed no significant difference in-hospital and long-term mortality rates in patients who require CABG after primary PCI irrespective of the ad hoc revascularization strategy.

The association of inflammatory markers and echocardiographic parameters in Behçet's disease.

Background: The main objective of the current study is to find out if any association exists between specific inflammatory markers such as homocysteine (Hcy) and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and cardiac involvement determined by means of echocardiographic parameters in patients with Behçet disease (BD).Methods: From January 2011 to January 2012, a total of 62 Behçet's patients were enrolled in the study. Thirty-two healthy subjects constituted the control group. The diagnosis of BD was made as proposed by International Study Group of BD.Results: The mean PTX-3, Hcy, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in patients with BD compared to the control group. The electromechanical delay (EMD) times were found to be prolonged in patients with BD. Also, the aortic stiffness index (SI) and elastic modulus (Ep) were significantly higher, while the aortic dispensibility was significantly lower in patients with BD. The left atrial volume, left atrial volume index, E/A ratio, E/E' septal, IRight-EMD, PA'-ML, PA'-MS, PA'-TL, SI, and Ep were correlated with PTX-3 levels. In addition, the E/A, PA'-ML, PA'-MS, SI, and Ep displayed correlation with Hcy levels in patients having BD.Conclusion: Elevated levels of PTX-3 and Hcy were found to be correlated with cardiac involvement determined by means of echocardiographic parameters in patients with BD.

Long term evaluation of electromechanical delay in patients with atrial septal defect after transcatheter closure.

Some studies have been showed that electromechanical delay, which may pose an increased tendency to atrial fibrillation, may prolong in patients with various clinical conditions. In addition, the electromechanical delay in patients with secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) compared to healthy people have been reported previously. Therefore, in the present study, we prospectively evaluated the mid-term and long-term effects of the transcatheter closure of secundum type ASD on the lateral atrial conduction time (PA), septal PA, tricuspid PA, left and right intra-atrial electromechanical delay (ILeft-EMD and IRight-EMD, respectively) and inter-atrial electromechanical delay (IA-EMD) measured by means of Doppler echocardiography. Our prospective study included a total of 45 secundum type ASD patients who undergone percutaneous transcatheter closure from December 2012 to April 2015. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before the closure, at sixth and twelfth months after the closure. In comparison of the EMD sixth months after the device closure, there were statistically significant decrease in lateral PA, septal PA, tricuspid PA, ILeft-EMD, IRight-EMD and IA-EMD compared to pre-device closure values. Twelfth months after the device closure, we also observed statistically significant decrease in lateral PA, septal PA, tricuspid PA, ILeft-EMD, IRight-EMD and IA-EMD compared to 6-month post-device closure values. In the present study, we observed that the atrial EMD improves after device closure and continues to improve after twelfth month following post-device closure.

Association of Interleukin-1 Gene cluster polymorphisms with coronary slow flow phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE: Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is characterized by the decreased rate of contrast progression in epicardial coronary arteries in the absence of significant coronary stenosis. Mounting evidence has showed a significant association between inflammation and CSFP severity. This study aimed to evaluate possible associations between interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) gene variable number tandem repeat (VNTR), IL-1ß -511 single nucleotide (SNP), and IL-1ß+3954 SNP mutations with CSFP. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with CSFP and 62 controls with angiographically normal coronary arteries were prospectively enrolled in the study. Genotypes were assessed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. RESULTS: Homozygote genotype for allele 2 of+3954 C>T 2/2 genotype was significantly more frequent in patients with CSFP than in the control group, whereas 1/2 genotype was more frequent in the control group (35.4% versus 14.5% for 2/2 genotype and 25% versus 35.5% for 1/2 genotype in CSFP and control groups, respectively, X2=6.6; p=0.04). The allelic frequency of allele 2 of this polymorphism was significantly higher in the CSFP group than in the control group (47.9% versus 28.6% in the control group, X2=5.6; p=0.02). However, there was no significant difference with regard to genotype or allelic frequencies of IL-1ra VNTR or IL-1ß -511 SNP polymorphisms between patients with CSFP and controls. CONCLUSION: IL-1ß+3954 SNP mutations are significantly more common in patients with CSFP. It may suggest that the tendency for inflammation may contribute to the presence of this phenomenon.

Systemic inflammatory activation in patients with acute coronary syndrome secondary to nonatherosclerotic spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

OBJECTIVE: Pathological studies have suggested that local inflammation, particularly eosinophilic infiltration of the adventitia, could be related to nonatherosclerotic spontaneous coronary artery dissection (NA-SCAD). However, the role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of NA-SCAD remains unknown. Our aim was to investigate systemic inflammatory activation in patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) secondary to NA-SCAD. METHODS: The institutional electronic medical database was reviewed, and 22 patients with NA-SCAD-ACS were identified after the review. Furthermore, 30 random patients with CAD-ACS and 30 random subjects without any history of CAD or ACS with demographic and clinical characteristics similar to those of NA-SCAD-ACS patients were identified from the institutional database to be included in the study. RESULTS: Patients with NA-SCAD-ACS and those with CAD-ACS both had higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts than controls. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were only significantly higher in the NA-SCAD-ACS group [2.01 (1.54-6.17) for NLR and 0.70 (0.13-2.70) for CRP] than in the controls [1.55 (1.27-2.13), p=0.03 for NLR and 0.15 (0.10-0.43), p=0.049 for CRP]; however, there were no differences between the NA-SCAD-ACS and CAD-ACS groups [1.91 (1.41-2.78) for NLR and 0.41 (0.09-1.10) for CRP, p>0.05 for both comparisons] regarding all tested parameters. CONCLUSION: The degree of inflammatory activation in NA-SCAD-ACS patients was similar to, or even greater than, that in CAD-ACS patients; thus, suggesting a role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of NA-SCAD-ACS.

Assessment of electrocardiographic parameters in adult patients undergoing extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.

OBJECTIVE: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a safe and effective treatment for urinary tract calculi. While serious side effects are rare, transient cardiac arrhythmias may occur. New electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters, such as P wave dispersion (PWD), QT dispersion (QTd), T peak to T end (Tp-e) interval, Tp-e interval/QT ratio, and Tp-e interval/corrected QT ratio have been defined to help predict atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. However, effect of ESWL on these ECG parameters has not been previously investigated. The present study was an examination of the effect of ESWL on ECG parameters. METHODS: Total of 40 consecutive patients who underwent ESWL were prospectively enrolled in the study. Pre-procedure ECG parameters were compared with post-procedure ECG parameters. RESULTS: PWD values were significantly longer on post-procedure ECG compared with pre-procedure ECG (p=0.017). Corrected QT duration and QTd were significantly longer on postprocedure ECG compared with pre-procedure ECG (p=0.046 and p=0.008, respectively). In addition, Tp-e interval, Tp-e interval/QT ratio, and Tp-e interval/QTc ratio were significantly longer post procedure (p=0.035, p=0.045, and p=0.022, respectively). In univariate correlation analysis, duration of procedure was significantly correlated with post-procedure PWD, QTc, and QTD values. CONCLUSION: Clinical use of ECG parameters may be helpful in monitoring of patients receiving ungated ESWL in order to detect cardiac dysrhythmia.

Congenital coronary artery anomalies in adults: review of 111 cases from a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery anomalies are a heterogeneous group of congenital disorders presenting with a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from vague chest pain to sudden cardiac death. Despite available data, there is no consensus about the classification, nomenclature, and outcomes of coronary anomalies in the normally connected heart. In this study, we aimed to investigate clinical and angiographic characteristics of coronary arterial anomalies, as well as the frequency of atherosclerotic involvement in anomalous coronaries, diagnosed at a tertiary referral centre. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed coronary angiograms performed between 2011 and 2015 for the presence of a coronary anomaly. A total of 111 patients with a final diagnosis of coronary anomaly were included in the study group. We also recruited 110 age- and sex-matched patients who underwent coronary angiography because of symptomatic coronary artery disease as controls. RESULTS: Among 36,893 coronary angiograms, 111 (0.30%) major coronary anomalies were found. Compared with controls, the prevalence of significant atherosclerotic coronary disease was lower in patients with coronary anomalies and stable symptoms (p=0.02); however, the prevalence of significant coronary atherosclerosis was similar among patients admitted with unstable angina or myocardial infarction (p>0.05). Compared with controls, patients with an anomalous left anterior descending coronary artery had significantly less atherosclerotic involvement than those in whom the left anterior descending artery was not anomalous (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Although coronary artery anomalies are cited as a cause for myocardial ischaemia, atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is also frequent and may offer an alternative explanation to ischaemic symptoms. No predisposition to accelerated atherosclerosis was found, however, and atherosclerotic involvement was less frequent in some anomalous vessels.

Predictors of in-hospital mortality in octogenarian patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention after ST segment elevated myocardial infarction.

AIM: Octogenarian patients have higher mortality and morbidity rates after acute coronary syndromes. Risk factors for in-hospital mortality in the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) era were underrepresented in previous studies. In the present study, we aimed to assess the risk factors of in-hospital mortality after primary PCI in this population. METHODS: We analyzed 2353 patients who underwent primary PCI after ST segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Patients were divided into two groups according to aged: ≥80 years (octogenarian) and <80 years (control). Risk factors for in-hospital mortality were analyzed in the whole group and octogenarian patients. RESULTS: We found that octogenarians have 10.6-fold higher mortality risk after STEMI. After a univariate and multivariate analysis, acute stent thrombosis was the most explicit risk factor for in-hospital mortality in the octogenarian group (OR 21.13, 95% CI 2.11-102.76, P < 0.001). Additionally, anterior myocardial infarction (OR 4.90, 95% CI 1.90-22.10, P = 0.04), ventricular arrhythmias (OR 15.64, 95% CI 2.81-87.12, P = 0.002), multivessel disease (OR 6.5, 95% CI 1.11-38.85, P = 0.04), ejection fraction <30% (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.26-6.00, P = 0.04) and KILLIP score ≥2 (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.20- 7.41, P = 0.01) were also significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Acute stent thrombosis, anterior MI, heart failure, low ejection fraction, ventricular arrhythmias and multivessel disease are the independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality among octogenarian patients after primary PCI. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 584-590.

Association of contrast-induced nephropathy with bare metal stent restenosis in STEMI patients treated with primary PCI.

BACKGROUND: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) has been proven as a clinical condition related to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, relationship between CIN and stent restenosis (SR) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of CIN with SR rates after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and bare metal stent (BMS) implantation. METHODS: A total number of 3225 patients who had undergone primary PCI for STEMI were retrospectively recruited. The medical reports of subjects were searched to find whether the patients had a control coronary angiogram (CAG) and 587 patients with control CAG were included in the study. The laboratory parameters of 587 patients were recorded and patients who developed CIN after primary PCI were defined. Contrast induced nephropathy was defined as either a 25% increase in serum creatinine from baseline or 0.5 mg/dL increase in absolute value, within 72 h of intravenous contrast administration. RESULTS: The duration between primary PCI and control CAG was median 12 months [8-24 months]. The rate of SR was significantly higher in CIN (+) group compared to CIN (-) group (64% vs. 46%, p < 0.01). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, male gender, stent length, admission WBC levels and presence of CIN (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06-1.82, p < 0.01) remained as the independent predictors of SR in the study population. CONCLUSION: Gender, stent length, higher serum WBC levels and presence of CIN are independently correlated with SR in STEMI patients treated with BMS implantation.

Assessment of Prognostic Value of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism.

BACKGROUND: Acute pulmonary embolism is a serious medical condition that has a substantial global impact. Inflammation plays a role in the pathophysiology and prognosis of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of admission parameters for complete blood count (CBC) in APE. METHODS: A total of 203 patients who were hospitalized with diagnosed APE were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Clinical data, PESI scores, admission CBC parameters, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were all recorded. The clinical outcomes of study subjects were determined by the reported patient 30-day mortality and long-term mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 20 months [interquantile range 17], 34 subjects in the study population (17%) died. NLR and PLR levels were significantly higher in patients who died within the 30 days (n = 14) [9.9 (5.5) vs. 4.5 (4.1), p = 0.01 and 280 (74) vs. 135 (75), p = 0.01, respectively] and during the long-term follow-up (n = 20) [8.4 (2.9) vs. 4.1 (3.8), p = 0.01 and 153 (117) vs. 133 (73), p = 0.03, respectively] when compared to the patients that survived. In Cox regression analysis, age, systolic blood pressure, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, PESI scores (HR 1.02 95%CI 1.01-1.04, p = 0.01), elevated levels of NLR (HR 1.13 95%CI 1.04-1.23, p = 0.01) and PLR (HR 1.002 95%CI 1.001-1.004, p = 0.01) were independently correlated with total mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Admission NLR and PLR may have prognostic value in patients with APE.

Risk factors and outcomes in patients with ectatic infarct-related artery who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention after ST elevated myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the risk factors for coronary artery ectasia (CAE) as infarct-related artery (IRA) and short-term and 1 year outcomes. BACKGROUNDS: CAE in patients with ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a rare condition with a limited knowledge about the risk factors associated with coronary artery ectasia in STEMI and prognosis after primary percutaneous coronary interventions. METHODS: Retrospectively, 1655 patients with STEMI who were undergone coronary angiography were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their coronary anatomy as ectasia and control groups. Demographic features, angiographic results, and clinical events were compared. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess the association of the features with CAE in STEMI. RESULTS: In total, 1655 patients (99 patients in CAE group vs 1556 patients in control group) were analyzed. Hypertension and smoking were significantly higher in CAE group. No-reflow rates were significantly higher (13.1% vs 5.4%, p = 0.004) in CAE group. In-hospital mortality rates were similar between the groups. Difference in revascularization rates (8.1% vs 9.6%, p = 0.39) and death in 1 year (6.1% vs 4.9%, p = 0.37) were also nonsignificant between the groups. According to results of the multivariate analysis, hypertension (Odds ratio (OR): 1.71 (1.14-2.58), p = 0.01) and smoking (OR: 1.98 (1.32-2.99), p = 0.001) remained significantly associated with coronary ectasia. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, despite being higher no-reflow rates, short-term and 1 year survival and revascularization rates were similar between the groups. Additionally, hypertension and smoking were associated with CAE as IRA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Late Sequela of the David Procedure: Left Main Coronary Artery Compression and Myocardial Infarction due to Pseudoaneurysm Formation.

Valve-sparing root replacement (the David procedure) is a valuable alternative to conventional aortic root replacement with a composite graft, especially in patients whose aortic valve leaflets have not been altered. However, reintervention rates are higher than are those associated with composite graft implantation. In this report, we present the case of a patient who had undergone valve-sparing root replacement 2 years earlier and was admitted to our hospital with myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock secondary to coronary ostial button dissection, aortic pseudoaneurysm formation, and severe left main coronary artery compression. To our knowledge, this case is exceedingly rare. Rather than attempt local reconstruction of the mouth of the pseudoaneurysm, we excised the lesion, the aortic valve, and the graft, and we successfully implanted a composite aortic graft with a mechanical aortic valve.

Prognostic Value of QRS Fragmentation in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Meta-Analysis.

AIMS: Fragmented QRS has emerged as a novel electrocardiographic parameter associated with adverse clinical events in various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of fQRS with in-hospital and long-term cardiovascular events in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to October 2015 for eligible studies. We selected studies with fQRS defined with 12-lead ECG during the index hospitalization of STEMI/NSTEMI. Primary outcomes were in-hospital and long-term cardiovascular events. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in fQRS (+) group (99/733; 13.5%) compared to fQRS (-) group (47/1293; 3.6%) (OR 4.03 95% CI 1.81-8.94; P = 0.0006). Long-term mortality rate was higher in fQRS (+) group (89/473; 18.8%) compared to fQRS (-) group (54/1009; 5.3%) (OR 3.93 95% CI 1.92-8.05; P = 0.0002). In addition the frequency of long-term MACE was higher in fQRS (+) group (46.9%) compared to fQRS (-) group (14.6%) (OR 5.13 95% CI 2.77-9.51; P < 0.00001) CONCLUSION: Presence of fQRS on admission ECG was found to be predictor of mortality, MACE, deterioration of LV function, and presence of multivessel disease in patients with STEMI and NSTEMI.