Should Percutaneous Coronary Intervention be the Standard Treatment Strategy for Significant Coronary Artery Disease in all Octogenarians?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of cardiovascular death in octogenarians. This group of patients represents nearly a fifth of all patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in real-world practice. Octogenarians have multiple risk factors for CAD and often greater myocardial ischemia than younger counterparts, with a potential of an increased benefit from myocardial revascularization. Despite this, octogenarians are routinely under- -treated and belittled in clinical trials. Age does make a difference to PCI outcomes in older people, but it is never the sole arbiter of any clinical decision, whether in relation to the heart or any other aspect of health. The decision when to perform revascularization in elderly patients and especially in octogenarians is complex and should consider the patient on an individual basis, with clarification of the goals of the therapy and the relative risks and benefits of performing the procedure. In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), there is no upper age limit regarding urgent reperfusion and primary PCI must be the standard of care. In non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, a strict conservative strategy must be avoided; whereas the use of a routine invasive strategy may reduce the occurrence of MI and the need for revascularization at follow-up, with no established benefit in terms of mortality. In stable CAD patients, invasive therapy on top of optimal medical therapy seems better in symptom relief and quality of life. This review summarizes the available data on percutaneous revascularization in the elderly patients and particularly in octogenarians, including practical considerations on PCI risk secondary to ageing physiology. We also analyse technical difficulties met when considering PCI in this cohort and the ongoing need for further studies to ameliorate risk stratification and eventually outcomes in these challenging patients.

Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Severe Vascular Calcification.

Vascular calcification is a highly prevalent pathophenotype that is associated with aging, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. When present, it portends a worse clinical outcome and predicts major adverse cardiovascular events. Heavily calcified coronary and peripheral artery lesions are difficult to dilate appropriately with conventional balloons during percutaneous intervention, and the use of several adjunctive strategies of plaque modification has been suggested. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) offers a novel option for lesion preparation of severely calcified plaques in coronary and peripheral vessels. It is unique among all technologies in its ability to modify calcium circumferentially and transmurally, thus modifying transmural conduit compliance. In this article, we summarize the currently available evidence on this technology, and we highlight its best clinical application through appropriate patient and lesion selection, with the main objective of optimizing stent delivery and implantation, and subsequent improved short- and long-term outcomes. We believe that the IVL balloon will transform the market, as it is easy to use, with predictable results. However, cost-effectiveness of such advanced technology will need to be considered.

Contemporary management of stent thrombosis: Predictors of mortality and the role of new-generation drug-eluting stents.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate mortality predictors and the role of new-generation drug-eluting stents (NG-DES) in stent thrombosis (ST) management. BACKGROUND: No data are available regarding the outcome of patients with ST after interventional management that includes exclusively NG-DES. METHODS: Patients with definite ST of DES or BMS who underwent urgent/emergent angiography between 2015 and 2018 at our institution were considered for the study. After excluding patients who achieved TIMI-flow<2 after intervention or received an old-generation stent, 131 patients were included. Management classification was stent or non-stent treatment (medical management, thromboaspiration, balloon-angioplasty). Follow-up was performed to document all-cause death (ACD) and target-lesion-revascularization (TLR) that was used for censorship. RESULTS: Mode of presentation was STEMI in 88% and UA/NSTEMI in 12%. Type of ST was early, late, and very late in 11, 4, and 85%, respectively. Eighty four patients received stent and 47 non-stent treatment. After 926 ± 34 days, 21 ACDs, 7 TLRs and no cases of definite, recurrent ST were observed. Univariate predictors of in-hospital mortality were LVEF and presentation with shock or cardiac arrest. For patients discharged alive, non-stent treatment (HR 4.2, p = .01), TIMI-2 flow (HR 7.4, p = .002) and GFR < 60 mL/min (HR 3.8, p = .01) were independent predictors of ACD. The stent-treatment group had significantly better ACD-free survival after discharge, both unadjusted (p = .022) and adjusted (p = .018). CONCLUSIONS: After ST management, different predictors were observed for in-hospital mortality and mortality in patients discharged alive. The better outcome with NG-DES treatment is a novel observation, warranting further studies to elucidate if it is associated with stent-related or patient-related factors.

CASTLE score versus J-CTO score for the prediction of technical success in chronic total occlusion percutaneous revascularisation.

AIMS: We sought to compare the efficiency of the novel EuroCTO (CASTLE) score with the commonly used Multicentre CTO Registry in Japan (J-CTO) score in predicting procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs). METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 660 consecutive CTO PCIs (mean age 66±11 years, 84% male). The mean J-CTO and EuroCTO (CASTLE) scores were 1.86±1.2 and 1.74±1.2, respectively. Antegrade wire escalation, antegrade dissection re-entry and retrograde approach were used in 82%, 14% and 37% of cases, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated equal overall discriminatory capacity between the two scores (AUC 0.698, 95% CI: 0.653-0.742, p<0.001 for J-CTO vs AUC 0.676, 95% CI: 0.627-0.725, p<0.001 for EuroCTO; AUC difference: 0.022, p=0.5). However, for more complex procedures (J-CTO ≥3 or EuroCTO [CASTLE] ≥4]), the predictive capacity of the EuroCTO (CASTLE) score appeared superior (AUC 0.588, 95% CI: 0.509-0.668, p=0.03 for EuroCTO [CASTLE] score vs AUC 0.473, 95% CI: 0.393-0.553, p=NS for the J-CTO score, AUC difference: 0.115, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the novel EuroCTO (CASTLE) score was comparable to the J-CTO score in predicting CTO PCI outcome with a superior discriminatory capacity for the more complex cases.

Gender-related differences in side-effects and hemodynamic response to regadenoson in patients undergoing SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate differences in side-effects and hemodynamic response between men and women undergoing regadenoson-stress SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). METHODS: The initial population of the study included 858 consecutive patients who underwent regadenoson-stress MPI at our institution. These patients underwent prospective assessment and classification of regadenoson-induced side-effects in six categories and recording of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) before and after regadenoson administration. From this initial population, after adjustment with 1:1 propensity matching using gender as the dependent variable and age, BMI, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, presence of coronary artery disease, LVEF, baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and HR, on-going use of cardio-active medications during test, and abnormal MPI scan as independent variables, a population of 279 pairs of opposite gender was formed and studied. RESULTS: Compared with men, women had a significantly higher rate of any side-effect (71% vs. 58%, p = 0.002), chest pain (23% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), gastrointestinal discomfort (20% vs. 12%, p = 0.01), dizziness (12% vs. 5%, p = 0.002), and headache (20% vs. 13%, p = 0.03) and similar rates of dyspnea and other side-effects. Women demonstrated a higher median HR-response compared with men (41% (- 8, 127) vs. 34% (- 5, 106), p = 0.001) while men demonstrated a lower median systolic BP response (- 3% (- 27, 48) vs. 0% (- 36, 68), p = 0.02) compared with women. CONCLUSIONS: Gender is independently associated with a differential response to regadenoson with regard to overall side-effects and HR-response. These observations have the potential of important management and prognostic implications respectively.

Acute and long-term relocation of minimal lumen area after bioresorbable scaffold or metallic stent implantation.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate relocation of minimal lumen area (MLA) after implantation of a bioresorbable scaffold (BRS). METHODS AND RESULTS: In the ABSORB II randomised trial (BRS vs everolimus-eluting stent [EES]), lesions were investigated by serial intravascular ultrasound pre procedure, post procedure, and at three years. MLA relocation was defined as an axial MLA shift of more than 2.4 mm. MLA relocation from post procedure to three years was observed in 163/237 (68.8%) and 75/129 (58.1%) of lesions treated by BRS and EES, respectively (p=0.041). When matching preprocedural MLA site with the same topographical sites post procedure and at three years, BRS showed significant late lumen enlargement and expansive remodelling compensating for significant plaque increase, whereas EES showed significant late lumen narrowing with significant plaque growth not compensated for by expansive remodelling from post procedure to three years. In the multivariate analysis, female gender, previous PCI, BRS implantation, total device length, and maximal pressure (either at device implantation or post-dilatation) were independently associated with MLA relocation from post procedure to three years. CONCLUSIONS: MLA relocation from post procedure to three years was more frequent in BRS than EES. Late lumen enlargement and expansive vessel remodelling at the preprocedural MLA site was observed in BRS, but not in EES.

Application of the MADS classification system in a "mega mammoth" stent trial: Feasibility and preliminary clinical implications.

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND: We attempted to test the feasibility of application of the MADS classification system in the largest stent trial to date and evaluate the preliminary clinical implications of this approach. METHODS: In the randomized GLOBAL LEADERS trial, testing two different antiplatelet strategies in patients undergoing PCI with bivalirudin and biolimus-eluting stents, the e-CRF was dedicated to bifurcation treatment according to the MADS classification. Based on this e-CRF, the techniques used for bifurcations treatment in GLOBAL LEADERS were described and compared with two large, all-comer registries of bifurcations treatment (I-BIGIS and COBIS), used as historical controls. RESULTS: Among 15,991 patients enrolled in the trial, 22,921 lesions treated at the index and staged procedure were available for analysis and 2,757 of these lesions were bifurcations and 7 were trifurcation lesions. The e-CRF-based MADS classification was achieved in 2,757 of these lesions (100%). 80.3% of bifurcations were treated using a single stent, 18.9% using 2 stents and 0.7% using 3 stents. Overall, the "main across side first" approach (A) was used in 77.4% with the "side branch first" approach (S) being the second most frequently used technique (10.2%). A single stent was used in the majority of the "A" approach (87.9%). A reduction in the use of 2-stent techniques (from 33.9 to 18.9%) was observed between GLOBAL LEADERS and I-BIGIS. The "A" approach was the most frequently used technique in GLOBAL LEADERS, while in COBIS the "S" strategy was most frequently employed. CONCLUSIONS: Application of the MADS classification through an e-CRF was feasible in the largest stent trial today and provided useful information about the trends observed overtime in the treatment of bifurcation lesions.

Adenosine stress myocardial perfusion imaging in octogenarians: Safety, tolerability, and long-term prognostic implications of hemodynamic response and SPECT-related variables.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of tolerability, safety, and prognostic implications of adenosine stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in octogenarians. METHODS: 370 octogenarians (49% known coronary artery disease) were studied. Hemodynamic response, MPI-related data, and rest-left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) based on echocardiography were registered per patient, and prospective follow-up was performed to document all-cause death (ACD), cardiac death (CD), myocardial infarction (MI), and late revascularization. RESULTS: No deaths or MIs were observed during adenosine infusion or the short-term post-infusion period. 86% of patients were able to tolerate a 6-minute infusion. All side effects terminated spontaneously after infusion cessation, except for one case of pulmonary oedema. After 9.3 years, there were 124 ACDs, 62 CDs, 16 MIs, and 35 revascularizations. Differences between survival curves of summed stress score (SSS)-based risk groups were significant for all end points (P < .001). SSS and LVEF were independent predictors of all end points (P ≤ .01) and lung uptake of cardiac end points. ΔHR <10 bpm (OR = 1.78, P = .004) and inability to increase HR by >10 bpm and decrease systolic blood pressure by >10 mmHg (OR = 2, P = .02) during adenosine infusion were independent predictors of ACD and CD, respectively. Hemodynamic response variables, SSS, and lung uptake provided incremental prognostic value over pre-test data for ACD and CD. CONCLUSIONS: In octogenarians, adenosine stress MPI is well tolerated and provides effective long-term risk stratification.

What does the future hold for novel intravascular imaging devices: a focus on morphological and physiological assessment of plaque.

INTRODUCTION: It is well recognized that a lesion that does not cause a hemodynamically significant stenosis can trigger a sudden cardiac event through plaque rupture. As a diagnostic tool, intravascular imaging was developed to circumvent limitations of coronary angiography; however, none of the intravascular imaging devices are individually able to provide complete assessment of the plaque morphology, geometry, physiology and biology. Therefore, over the past few years an effort was made to develop hybrid intravascular imaging catheters to provide more complete evaluation of coronary plaque pathobiology. Areas covered: This paper aims to give an overview of the recent developments on 1) single-modality intravascular imaging devices; 2) hybrid intravascular imaging devices and 3) the hemodynamic analysis in models reconstructed from the fusion of intravascular imaging and angiographic data. Expert commentary: Within five years, most of the hybrid imaging techniques which are now in pre-clinical phase will be utilized in the clinical arena, as NIRS-IVUS. Software for online blood simulation is likely to be developed that will enable ESS calculation while the patient is in the catheterization laboratory.

Acute performance of a novel restorative transcatheter aortic valve: preclinical results.

AIMS: The Xeltis aortic valve leaflets are made from a bioabsorbable supramolecular polymer that guides the tissue to restoring itself. It is mounted on a self-expanding nitinol frame that includes three feelers and a native leaflet clipping mechanism. We sought to investigate the acute valve performance in a preclinical setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 33 sheep, 26 mm Xeltis aortic valves were transapically implanted in a 23 mm native annulus. Aortography (analysable, n=28) and echocardiography (analysable, n=20) images were acquired immediately after implantation of the Xeltis aortic valve to assess the acute device performance. On echocardiography, transvalvular peak pressure gradient (PG) was 7.4 (IQR: 6.0-8.9) mmHg, mean PG was 4.0 (IQR: 3.0-5.0) mmHg, and effective orifice area was 2.2 (IQR: 1.6-2.5) cm2. Trace (n=6), mild (n=2) and no (n=12) transvalvular aortic regurgitation (AR) were seen. Likewise, no paravalvular AR was detected in 7 cases, whereas trace, mild and moderate were seen in 7, 5 and 1 cases, respectively. On quantitative videodensitometric AR (VD-AR) assessment, a median value of 6% (IQR: 1-12%) of AR was seen. Three cases had a VD-AR superior to 17%, which has a prognostic significance. Out of these three cases, two had echocardiographic assessment available, which showed mild and moderate paravalvular regurgitation due to inadequate leaflet clipping. CONCLUSIONS: In a transapical ovine model, the novel restorative transcatheter aortic valve with bioabsorbable leaflets demonstrated good haemodynamic performance comparable to commercially available devices. The highly porous polymeric leaflets demonstrated good competence immediately after implantation with no cases having >mild transvalvular AR.

Restorative valve therapy by endogenous tissue restoration: tomorrow's world? Reflection on the EuroPCR 2017 session on endogenous tissue restoration.

The current standard of treatment of valvular diseases with severe functional and/or clinical consequences is the repair or replacement of the valve, which is usually surgical or, in specific scenarios, percutaneous. The available prosthetic valves, however, are not a magic bullet in the physicians' arsenal for the management of valvular diseases, since the age-dependent structural valve deterioration (SVD) and the need for prolonged systemic anticoagulation in the case of metallic prosthetic valves are not inconsequential during the lifespan of a patient with an implanted prosthetic valve. Based on decades of research combining the scientific disciplines of supramolecular chemistry, electrospinning and regenerative medicine, endogenous tissue restoration has emerged as a very promising domain to provide this magic bullet, in the form of valves, which enables functional restoration by the body itself. The concept of a restorative material that will set the framework for the creation of a new, endogenous valve is very appealing and, recently, proof of concept studies have been completed at both preclinical and clinical levels. These studies have shown favourable pathologic, anatomic and haemodynamic characteristics compared to currently available prosthetic valves, in sheep and in young children undergoing right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction, and may represent an alternative to the bioprosthesis made of xenopericardial tissue. The present manuscript reviews the rationale, background knowledge and historic development of endogenous tissue restoration and presents preliminary data about the Xeltis valve, which appears to have the potential to make restorative valve therapy a reality in clinical practice.

Long-term data of BRS presented at EuroPCR 2017 (Friday, 19 May).

Bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) were designed more than 30 years ago to overcome the disadvantages related to the permanent implantation of a metallic stent and, at present, a number of these devices have obtained a CE mark on the basis of midterm follow-up studies. However, although BRS have already been introduced into clinical practice, intensive research is ongoing worldwide to clarify their long-term safety and effectiveness. This type of research has captivated the interest of the cardiovascular community after the recent publication of long-term follow-up data from randomised trials demonstrating increased late scaffold thrombosis in the Absorb™ BRS (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA). In this regard, any long-term follow-up data for BRS are of particular importance, especially when they originate from real-world patients, challenging lesions and scaffolds other than the Absorb GT1™, which is the only available BRS that has been evaluated in a controlled fashion so far versus the current standard, new-generation drug-eluting stents. The session "Long-term data of BRS" on the last day of EuroPCR 2017 (Paris, France) offered some very interesting data on what the global picture for the future of BRS could be.

Long-term prognostic implications of myocardial perfusion imaging in octogenarians: an all-comer, cohort study.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the long-term prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in octogenarians. METHODS: Six hundred and twenty-nine octogenarians [51% previous myocardial infarction (MI) or revascularization] who underwent single-isotope MPI (78% 201Tl, 22% 99mTc-tetrofosmin) with exercise (38% Bruce, 2% leg ergometry) or pharmacologic (58% adenosine, 2% dobutamine) stress were studied. All patients had LVEF determined by echocardiography within 1 month from MPI. Myocardial perfusion scoring was performed on a 17-segment LV-model with a 5-point grading system and three summed stress score (SSS)-based risk categories were formed [high-(SSS > 12), low-(SSS < 4), medium]. Prospective follow-up was performed to document all-cause (ACD), cardiac death (CD), MI, and revascularization. Revascularization was used to censor follow-up in survival analysis regarding ACD, CD, and CD/MI. For analysis of the CD, MI, or late revascularization (LR) composite, only revascularizations within 3 months from MPI (early revascularizations) were used for censoring. RESULTS: After 9.3 years there were 187 ACDs, 86 CDs, 28 MIs, and 77 revascularizations, including 28 early revascularizations. Adjusting for LVEF and stress-modality type, SSS was identified as an independent predictor of ACD [HR 1.03 (1.01-1.05)], CD [HR 1.05 (1.03-1.08)], CD,MI [HR 1.05 (1.02-1.07)], and CD,MI or LR [HR 1.05 (1.03-1.07)] (p ≤ 0.001 in all cases). Increased lung uptake had independent prognostic value only for the CD, MI, or LR end-point [HR 3 (1.2-7.7), p = 0.02]. Survival modeling demonstrated that LVEF and SSS, but not non-perfusion scintigraphic data provided incremental prognostic value over pre-test available clinical and historical information for all end-points. Differences between Kaplan-Meier survival curves of SSS-based risk groups were significant for all end-points (p < 0.001 in all cases). CONCLUSIONS: In octogenarians, MPI provides effective long-term risk stratification, regardless of stress type used or underlying cardiac function.

Risk stratification for large artery or chronic coronary artery disease-related ischemic stroke in octogenarians undergoing exercise stress myocardial perfusion imaging: A cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To test, if in octogenarians, treadmill exercise with myocardial perfusion imaging (exercise-MPI) can risk stratify for large artery or chronic CAD-related ischemic stroke (LACCIS). METHODS: Exercise-MPI-related data of 237 octogenarians (55% prior MI or revascularization) without previous stroke were registered and prospective follow-up was performed to document LACCIS. LACCIS was defined as acute onset of neurological symptoms with CT/MRI findings of non-lacunar-type infarcts in the absence of atrial fibrillation or intracardiac embolic sources. RESULTS: After 7.3 years, 10 LACCIS were documented. SSS [HR 1.08 (1.02-1.13 95% CIs), SDS [HR 1.1 (1.04-1.16 95% CIs)], and non-sustained VT or transient AV block during exercise [HR 3.9 (1.7-9.0 95% CIs)] were predictors of LACCIS (P < .01 for all). A SSS threshold of 16 had 81% specificity for identification of future LACCIS and risk groups formed according to this cut-off had significantly different LACCIS-free survival (P = .015). CONCLUSION: Exercise-MPI in octogenarians can provide risk stratification markers for LACCIS.

Fast myocardial perfusion imaging with 99mTc in challenging patients using conventional SPECT cameras.

BACKGROUND: We attempted to validate the performance of a fast myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) protocol in diagnostically challenging patients. METHODS: 78 patients with ΒΜΙ > 24.9, LVH or three vessels disease underwent two sequential gated-MPI studies. The first at 15 (Early Imaging, EI) and the second at 45 (Late Imaging, LI) minutes post 99mTc-injection, at both stress and rest. Counts over heart (H), liver (Liv) and subdiaphragmatic space (Sub) and image quality, and myocardial perfusion and function parameters were compared between the two protocols. Coronary angiography was performed within 2 months from MPI, and ROC analysis was used to compare the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of ≥50% diameter luminal stenosis. RESULTS: Quality was optimal-good in 93% of EI and 98% of LI studies (P = .12), H/Liv and stress H/Sub ratios were similar, but rest H/Sub ratio was lower in EI (P = .009). SSS [10 (0 to 46) vs 9 (0 to 36), P = .006] and SDS [3 (0 to 35) vs 2 (0 to 34), P = .02] were higher in EI protocol. LVEF, motion and thickening scores did not differ between the two protocols. A highly significant (P < .001) linear relationship with clinically negligible mean differences in Bland-Altman analysis was observed for all perfusion and function-related data. Sensitivity (EI 81%, LI 80%) and specificity (65% for both) did not differ (P = .23) between the two protocols. CONCLUSION: The fast protocol is technically feasible and diagnostically accurate compared to the established protocol in diagnostically challenging patients.

Long-term prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging in octogenarians able to undergo treadmill exercise stress testing.

BACKGROUND: Although the use of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for prognostic purposes in general population is well understood, its role in very elderly patients is not extensively studied. METHODS: 247 octgogenarians (79% male, 56% previous myocardial infarction-MI or revascularization) who underwent treadmill exercise testing (TET) with MPI were studied. TET and MPI-related data were registered per patient and prospective follow-up was performed to document all cause death (ACD), cardiac death (CD), non-fatal MI, and late revascularization (LR). Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analysis were used to compute event-free survival and identify significant predictors of these events. RESULTS: After 7.3 years there were 48 deaths, 17 CDs, 8 MIs, and 21 LRs. 69 patients were classified as high and 103 as low risk by SSS with annual cardiac mortality rates of 5% and 0.9%, respectively. Differences between survival curves of SSS-based risk groups were significant for ACD, CD, CD/MI, and CD/MI/LR. Summed stress (SSS) and difference scores were the only significant predictors of all endpoints. LVEF and transient ischemic LV dilatation were significant predictors of CD and CD/MI. LVEF and all MPI variables were associated with the CD, MI, and LR endpoint while only Duke treadmill score and angina severity demonstrated such a relationship among TET variables. CONCLUSIONS: In octogenarians, MPI provides effective long-term risk stratification for both hard (ACD, CD, CD/MI) and soft (CD/MI/LR) endpoints and should be preferred over simple TET.

Prognostic value of the Duke treadmill score in octogenarians undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging.

OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND: Although Duke treadmill score (DTS) is the most widely used risk stratification method in younger patients undergoing exercise treadmill test (ETT) its specific value in the elderly is not established. METHODS: 137 patients aged ≥80 years who underwent ETT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were studied. DTS and MPI (including summed stress scores, SSS) related data were registered per patient and follow up was performed to document cardiac death (CD), myocardial infarction (MI) and late (>3 months) revascularization (LR). Kaplan Meir and Cox regression survival analysis were employed to determine the prognostic value of DTS in relation to MPI data for these endpoints. RESULTS: After a median follow up duration of 6.7 years 28 deaths, 7 CDs, 4 non fatal MIs and 12 LRs were observed. Incidence rates of CD/MI were significantly different only between low and high risk SSS categories (p = 0.044). Risk groups by DTS had no significant differences in survival free of CD/MI (p = 0.743) in contrast to risk groups according to SSS (p = 0.026), while both DTS and SSS based risk groups had significantly different survival free of CD/MI or LR. SSS was a significant univariate predictor of both CD/MI (HR 1.088, p = 0.019) and CD/MI or LR (HR 1.095, p < 0.001), but DTS only of the latter endpoint (HR 0.909, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In octogenarians DTS was found to be a significant predictor of the LR related endpoint but not of the hard endpoint of CD/MI, in contrast to SSS which was a powerful predictor of both soft and hard cardiac endpoints.

For what endpoint does myocardial 123I-MIBG scintigraphy have the greatest prognostic value in patients with chronic heart failure? Results of a pooled individual patient data meta-analysis.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate prognostic endpoint for myocardial (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) based on aggregate results from multiple studies published in the past decade. METHODS AND RESULTS: Original individual late (3-5 h) heart/mediastinum (H/M) ratio data of 636 CHF patients were retrieved from six studies from Europe and the USA. All-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, arrhythmic events, and heart transplantation were investigated to determine which provided the strongest prognostic significance for the MIBG imaging data. The majority of patients was male (78%), had a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (31.1 ± 12.5%), and a mean late H/M of 1.67 ± 0.47. During follow-up (mean 36.9 ± 20.1 months), there were 83 deaths, 67 cardiac deaths, 33 arrhythmic events, and 56 heart transplants. In univariate regression analysis, late H/M was a significant predictor of all event categories, but lowest hazard ratios (HRs) were for the composite endpoint of any event (HR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.19-0.46), all-cause (HR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.16-0.53), and cardiac mortality (HR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.14-0.55). In multivariate analysis, late H/M was an independent predictor for all event categories, except for arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: This pooled individual patient data meta-analysis showed that, in CHF patients, the late H/M ratio is not only useful as a dichotomous predictor of events (high vs. low risk), but also has prognostic implication over the full range of the outcome value for all event categories except arrhythmias.

Reversible reduction of cardiac sympathetic innervation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: an observational study using serial iodine 123-labeled meta-iodobenzyl-guanidine (MIBG) imaging.

OBJECTIVES: Various types of surgical and interventional procedures have been reported to cause cardiac sympathetic denervation. We aimed at evaluating the effects of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in cardiac sympathetic innervation through meta-iodobenzyl-guanidine (MIBG) imaging. METHODS: MIBG imaging was performed in 21 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) 1 day before and 1 week and 6 months after CABG with concomitant measurements of corrected QT interval. In each study we evaluated MIBG defect score in a 16-segment left ventricular model, MIBG-defect size (percent) from generated polar maps, and heart/mediastinum ratio. RESULTS: Mean MIBG defect score and size were increased (32 ± 9.5 vs 24 ± 5, P < .0001, and 49.5% ± 20.4% vs 37% ± 8.7%, P = .004, respectively) and mean heart/mediastinum ratio was reduced (1.5 ± 0.4 vs 1.9 ± 0.3, P < .0001) at 1 week after CABG. At 6 months these indices had no significant differences compared with their pre-CABG values. Mean corrected QT interval demonstrated no significant changes. Increase in MIBG score in the second imaging was associated with adverse events related to arrhythmia and myocardial dysfunction during the 6-month follow-up period in a binary logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: CABG is associated with clinically important but reversible reduction in cardiac sympathetic nerve function, with periprocedural effects (cardioplegia, hypothermia, ischemia, direct nerve injury) being possible mechanisms for this finding.