Development of an MRI-Based Prediction Model for Anti-TNF Treatment Failure in Perianal Crohn's Disease: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Clinical and radiologic variables associated with perianal fistula (PAF) outcomes are poorly understood. We developed prediction models for anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment failure in patients with Crohn's disease-related PAF. METHODS: In a multicenter retrospective study between 2005 and 2022 we included biologic-naive adults (>17 years) who initiated their first anti-TNF therapy for PAF after pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pretreatment MRI studies were prospectively reread centrally by blinded radiologists. We developed and internally validated a prediction model based on clinical and radiologic parameters to predict the likelihood of anti-TNF treatment failure, clinically, at 6 months. We compared our model and a simplified version of MRI parameters alone with existing imaging-based PAF activity indices (MAGNIFI-CD and modified Van Assche MRI scores) by De Long statistical test. RESULTS: We included 221 patients: 32 ± 14 years, 60% males, 76% complex fistulas; 68% treated with infliximab and 32% treated with adalimumab. Treatment failure occurred in 102 (46%) patients. Our prediction model included age at PAF diagnosis, time to initiate anti-TNF treatment, and smoking and 8 MRI characteristics (supra/extrasphincteric anatomy, fistula length >4.3 cm, primary tracts >1, secondary tracts >1, external openings >1, tract hyperintensity on T1-weighted imaging, horseshoe anatomy, and collections >1.3 cm). Our full and simplified MRI models had fair discriminatory capacity for anti-TNF treatment failure (concordance statistic, 0.67 and 0.65, respectively) and outperformed MAGNIFI-CD (P = .002 and < .0005) and modified Van Assche MRI scores (P < .0001 and < .0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our risk prediction models consisting of clinical and/or radiologic variables accurately predict treatment failure in patients with PAF.

Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound with artificial intelligence-assisted assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Focused cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) is becoming standard practice in a wide spectrum of clinical settings. There is limited data evaluating the real-world use of FoCUS with artificial intelligence (AI). Our objective was to determine the accuracy of FoCUS AI-assisted left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment and compare its accuracy between novice and experienced users. In this prospective, multicentre study, participants requiring a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) were recruited to have a FoCUS done by a novice or experienced user. The AI-assisted device calculated LVEF at the bedside, which was subsequently compared to TTE. 449 participants were enrolled with 424 studies included in the final analysis. The overall intraclass coefficient was 0.904, and 0.921 in the novice (n = 208) and 0.845 in the experienced (n = 216) cohorts. There was a significant bias of 0.73% towards TTE (p = 0.005) with a level of agreement of 11.2%. Categorical grading of LVEF severity had excellent agreement to TTE (weighted kappa = 0.83). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.98 for identifying an abnormal LVEF (<50%) with a sensitivity of 92.8%, specificity of 92.3%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.97 and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.83. In identifying severe dysfunction (<30%) the AUC was 0.99 with a sensitivity of 78.1%, specificity of 98.0%, NPV of 0.98 and PPV of 0.76. Here we report that FoCUS AI-assisted LVEF assessments provide highly reproducible LVEF estimations in comparison to formal TTE. This finding was consistent among senior and novice echocardiographers suggesting applicability in a variety of clinical settings.

Long-Term Outcomes of Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial infarction (AMI-CS) is associated with substantial short-term mortality; however, there are limited data on long-term outcomes and trends. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine long-term outcomes of AMI-CS patients. METHODS: This was a population-based, retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada of critically ill adult patients with AMI-CS who were admitted to hospitals between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2019. Outcome data were captured using linked health administrative databases. RESULTS: A total of 9,789 consecutive patients with AMI-CS from 135 centers were included. The mean age was 70.5 ± 12.3 years, and 67.7% were male. The incidence of AMI-CS was 8.2 per 100,000 person-years, and it increased over the study period. Critical care interventions were common, with 5,422 (55.4%) undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation, 1,425 (14.6%) undergoing renal replacement therapy, and 1,484 (15.2%) receiving mechanical circulatory support. A total of 2,961 patients (30.2%) died in the hospital, and 4,004 (40.9%) died by 1 year. Mortality at 5 years was 58.9%. Small improvements in short- and long-term mortality were seen over the study period. Among survivors to discharge, 2,870 (42.0%) required increased support in care from their preadmission baseline, 3,244 (47.5%) were readmitted to the hospital within 1 year, and 1,047 (15.3%) died within 1 year. The mean number of days at home in the year following discharge was 307.9 ± 109.6. CONCLUSIONS: Short- and long-term mortality among patients with AMI-CS is high, with minimal improvement over time. AMI-CS survivors experience significant morbidity, with high risks of readmission and death. Future studies should evaluate interventions to minimize postdischarge morbidity and mortality among AMI-CS survivors.

Efficacy of Milrinone and Dobutamine in Cardiogenic Shock: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Inotropic support is commonly used in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). High-quality data guiding the use of dobutamine or milrinone among this patient population is limited. We compared the efficacy and safety of these two inotropes among patients with low cardiac output states (LCOS) or CS. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched up to February 1, 2023, using key terms and index headings related to LCOS or CS and inotropes. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers included studies that compared dobutamine to milrinone on all-cause in-hospital mortality, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and significant arrhythmias in hospitalized patients. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of eleven studies with 21,084 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Only two randomized controlled trials were identified. The primary outcome, all-cause mortality, favored milrinone in observational studies only (odds ratio [OR] 1.19 (95% CI, 1.02-1.39; p = 0.02). In-hospital length of stay (LOS) was reduced with dobutamine in observational studies only (mean difference -1.85 d; 95% CI -3.62 to -0.09; p = 0.04). There was no difference in the prevalence of significant arrhythmias or in ICU LOS. CONCLUSIONS: Only limited data exists supporting the use of one inotropic agent over another exists. Dobutamine may be associated with a shorter hospital LOS; however, there is also a potential for increased all-cause mortality. Larger randomized studies sufficiently powered to detect a difference in these outcomes are required to confirm these findings.

Rationale and Design of the Rivaroxaban Post-Transradial Access for the Prevention of Radial Artery Occlusion Trial (CAPITAL-RAPTOR).

INTRODUCTION: Transradial access (TRA) has rapidly emerged as the preferred vascular access site for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. Radial artery occlusion (RAO) remains as an important complication of TRA as it precludes future ipsilateral transradial procedures. While intraprocedural anticoagulation has been studied extensively, the definitive role of postprocedural anticoagulation has not yet been established. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Rivaroxaban Post-Transradial Access for the Prevention of Radial Artery Occlusion trial is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded-endpoint design study investigating the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban to reduce the incidence of RAO. Eligible patients will undergo randomisation to receive either rivaroxaban 15 mg once daily for 7 days or to no additional postprocedural anticoagulation. Doppler ultrasound to assess radial artery patency will be performed at 30 days. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol has been approved by the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board (approval number 20180319-01H). The study results will be disseminated via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03630055.

Video Capsule Endoscopy can Identify Occult Luminal Crohn's Disease in Patients with Isolated Perianal Fistulas.

BACKGROUND: Accurate tools to distinguish Crohn's disease [CD] from cryptoglandular disease in patients with perianal fistulas without detectable luminal inflammation on ileocolonoscopy and abdominal enterography (isolated perianal fistulas [IPF]) are lacking. We assessed the ability of video capsule endoscopy [VCE] to detect luminal inflammation in patients with IPF. METHODS: We studied consecutive adults [>17 years] with IPF who were evaluated by VCE after a negative ileocolonoscopy and abdominal enterography between 2013 and 2022. We defined luminal CD by VCE as diffuse erythema, three or more aphthous ulcers, or a Lewis score greater than 135. We compared rates of intestinal inflammation in this cohort with age- and sex-matched controls without perianal fistulas, who underwent VCE for other indications. We excluded persons with pre-existing inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] and exposure to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or immunosuppressive treatments. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients with IPF underwent VCE without complications. Twelve patients [26%] met our definition of luminal CD. Luminal CD was more common in patients with IPF than in controls [26% vs 3%; p <0.01]. Among patients with IPF, male sex (OR [odds ratio], 9.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.1-79.4]), smoking (OR, 4.5; 95% CI [0.9-21.2]), abscess (OR, 6.3; 95% CI [1.5-26.8]), rectal enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] (OR, 9.0; 95% CI [0.8-99.3]), and positive antimicrobial serology (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, [0.7-70.0]) were more common in those with a positive VCE study. CONCLUSIONS: VCE detected small intestinal inflammation suggestive of luminal CD in approximately one-quarter of patients with IPF. Larger studies are required to validate these findings.

Inotrope versus placebo therapy in cardiogenic shock: Rationale and study design of the CAPITAL DOREMI2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a state of end-organ hypoperfusion related to cardiac dysfunction. Current guidelines recommend consideration of inotrope therapy in patients with CS, however no robust data support their use. The purpose of the CAPITAL DOREMI2 trial is to examine the efficacy and safety of inotrope therapy against placebo in the initial resuscitation of patients with CS. METHODS AND DESIGN: This is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial comparing single-agent inotrope therapy to placebo in patients with CS. A total of 346 participants with Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions class C or D CS will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to inotrope or placebo therapy, which will be administered over a 12-hour period. After this period, participants will continue open-label therapies at the discretion of the treating team. The primary outcome is a composite of all-cause in-hospital death, and, as measured during the 12-hour intervention period, any of: sustained hypotension or high dose vasopressor requirements, lactate greater than 3.5 mmol/L at 6 hours or thereafter, need for mechanical circulatory support, arrhythmia leading to emergent electrical cardioversion, and resuscitated cardiac arrest. All participants will be followed for the duration of their hospitalization, and secondary outcomes will be assessed at the time of discharge. IMPLICATION: This trial will be the first to establish the safety and efficacy of inotrope therapy against placebo in a population of patients with CS and has the potential to alter the standard care provided to this group of patients.

Arrhythmic Events and Mortality in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock on Inotropic Support: Results of the DOREMI Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Inotropic support is widely used in the management of cardiogenic shock (CS). Existing data on the incidence and significance of arrhythmic events in patients with CS on inotropic support is at high risk of bias. METHODS: The Dobutamine Compared to Milrinone (DOREMI) trial randomized patients to receive dobutamine or milrinone in a double-blind fashion. Patients with and without arrhythmic events (defined as arrhythmias requiring intervention or sustained ventricular arrhythmias) were compared to identify factors associated with their occurrence, and to examine their association with in-hospital mortality and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients (47.9%) had arrhythmic events, occurring equally with dobutamine and milrinone (P = 0.563). The need for vasopressor support at initiation of the inotrope and a history of atrial fibrillation were positively associated with arrhythmic events, whereas predominant right ventricular dysfunction, previous myocardial infarction, and increasing left ventricular ejection fraction were negatively associated with them. Supraventricular arrhythmic events were not associated with mortality (relative risk [RR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-1.40; P = 0.879) but were positively associated with resuscitated cardiac arrests and hospital length of stay. Ventricular arrhythmic events were positively associated with mortality (RR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.13-2.43; P = 0.026) and resuscitated cardiac arrests. Arrhythmic events were most often treated with amiodarone (97%) and electrical cardioversion (27%), which were not associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant arrhythmic events occur in approximately one-half of patients with CS treated with dobutamine or milrinone and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Five factors may help to identify patients most at risk of arrhythmic events.

Impact of intracoronary assessments on revascularization decisions: A contemporary evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the real-world implementation of intracoronary assessment (ICA) techniques and evaluate their impact on clinical decisions regarding the management of coronary artery disease (CAD) in contemporary practice. BACKGROUND: Coronary angiogram is the gold standard used to diagnose vessel stenosis and guide percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, it is limited by its two-dimensional imaging capabilities. ICA techniques like intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography capture the vessel in three-dimensional images. Comparatively, fractional flow reserve provides information on the physiologic significance of coronary stenosis. Both techniques may improve PCI outcomes if they routinely change physician behavior. METHODS: Patients who underwent ICA between August 2015 and March 2020 were included in the study. The primary outcome was the clinical impact of ICA on physician clinical decision making of a stenotic vessel. The secondary outcome was the clinical changes that occurred following ICA. RESULTS: A total of 1135 patients were included in the study. Physiologic assessment (PA) and image assessment (IA) were performed in 61.4% and 38.6% respectively. Management plans were changed in 38.1% and 23.9% of patients who received PA and IA. Over half of the management change resulted in physicians deciding to not intervene on the stenotic vessel. One-year outcome of these decisions showed no significant increase in major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio [HR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40-1.15; p = 0.15) or unplanned revascularization (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.35-1.74; p = 0.55) suggesting reliance on PA/IA data did not increase risk. CONCLUSION: Selected ICA alters physician management of CAD in one-third of patients being evaluated for revascularization-typically leading to fewer interventions. All cause death is numerally lower in patients that received a change in management. However, the 1-year outcome of these altered decisions does not appear to be significantly different.

Impact of atrial fibrillation on the risk of major adverse cardiac events following coronary revascularisation.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a highly prevalent arrhythmia with significant burden on morbidity and mortality. The impact of AF in the revascularised population remains incompletely described. Given the high prevalence of AF in the revascularised population, we sought to evaluate the incidence and prognosis in patients with pre-existing and new-onset AF following revascularisation. METHODS: We used the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Revascularisation Registry to identify patients who underwent revascularisation between August 2015 and March 2020, who were prospectively followed for an average of one year. We conducted a retrospective cohort study analysing the association between AF and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome of interest was 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularisation and cerebrovascular accidents. Moreover, secondary outcomes include the individual components of MACE and bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 6704 patients underwent revascularisation and completed 1-year clinical follow-up. Median time to follow-up was 12.8 (IQR 11.2-15.9) months. One-year MACE occurred in 166 (21.8%) and 683 (11.5%) patients in AF and non-AF groups, respectively (adjusted HR, 1.61; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.01; p<0.0001). AF was independently predictive of 1-year mortality, myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularisation, cerebrovascular accident and bleeding. Within 1 year, 299 (4.5%) episodes of new-onset AF was observed. New-onset AF following revascularisation was also associated with 1-year MACE, mortality, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident and unplanned revascularisation. CONCLUSIONS: Preprocedural and new-onset AF following revascularisation remains highly predictive 1-year MACE. AF should be considered in addition to traditional risk factors for adverse outcomes following revascularisation.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair for inotrope dependent cardiogenic shock - Design and rationale of the CAPITAL MINOS trial.

BACKGROUND: Functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is an important clinical consideration in patients with heart failure. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) has emerged as a useful therapeutic tool for patients with chronic heart failure, however the role of TEER in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) and MR has not yet been studied in a randomized trial. The Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair for Inotrope Dependent Cardiogenic Shock (CAPITAL MINOS) trial was therefore designed to determine if TEER improves clinical outcomes in the CS population. METHODS AND DESIGN: The CAPITAL MINOS trial is an open-label, multi-center randomized clinical trial comparing TEER to medical therapy in patients with CS and MR. A total of 144 patients with Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) class C or D CS and at least 3+ MR will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to TEER or medical therapy alone. The primary outcome will be a composite of in-hospital all-cause mortality, cardiac transplantation, implantation of durable left ventricular assist device, or discharge on palliative inotropic therapy. Patients will be followed for the duration of their index hospitalization for the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include 6 month mortality. IMPLICATIONS: The CAPITAL MINOS trial will determine whether TEER improves outcomes in patients with CS and MR and will be an important step in optimizing treatment for this high-risk patient population.

No sex-based difference in cardiogenic shock: A post-hoc analysis of the DOREMI trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality; however, there are limited randomized data evaluating the association between sex and clinical outcomes in patients with CS. Patients with CS enrolled in the DObutamine compaREd with MIlrinone (DOREMI) trial were evaluated in this post-hoc analysis. METHODS: The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, resuscitated cardiac arrest, cardiac transplant or mechanical circulatory support, non-fatal myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack or stroke, or initiation of renal replacement therapy. Secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary outcome. We analyzed the primary and secondary outcomes using unadjusted relative risks and performed adjusted analysis for the primary outcome and all-cause mortality using the covariates mean arterial pressure <70 mmHg at inotrope initiation, age, and acute myocardial infarction CS. RESULTS: Among 192 participants in the DOREMI study, 70 patients (36 %) were female. The primary outcome occurred in 38 female patients (54 %) compared to 61 male patients (50 %) [adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.23; 95 % CI 0.78-1.95, p = 0.97]. When stratified by inotrope, there was no difference in the primary outcome comparing females to males receiving dobutamine (RR 1.14; 95 % CI 0.79-1.65, p = 0.50) nor milrinone (RR 1.03; 95 % CI 0.68-1.57, p = 0.87). There was no difference in all-cause mortality comparing females to males (aRR 1.51; 95 % CI 0.78-2.94, p = 0.88). Additionally, there were no differences in any secondary outcomes between males and females (p > 0.05 for all endpoints). CONCLUSION: In patients presenting with CS treated with milrinone or dobutamine, no differences in clinical outcomes were observed between males and females.

Inhaled anaesthesia compared with conventional sedation in post cardiac arrest patients undergoing temperature control: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Patients admitted with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) are often sedated to facilitate care. Volatile anaesthetics have been proposed as alternative sedatives because of their rapid offset. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the use of volatile anaesthetics to conventional sedation in this population. MATERIALS: We searched four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Scopus) from inception to January 6, 2022. We included randomized trials and observational studies evaluating patients admitted following ROSC. We pooled data and reported summary estimates using odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes, both with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed risk of bias using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and certainty of evidence using GRADE methodology. RESULTS: Of 1,973 citations, we included three observational studies (n = 604 patients). Compared to conventional sedation, volatile agents had an uncertain effect on delirium (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.68-1.37), survival to discharge (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.17-2.61), and ICU length of stay (MD 1.59 days fewer, 95% CI 1.17-4.36, all very low certainty). Patients who received volatile anaesthetic underwent a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (MD 37.32 hours shorter, 95% CI 7.74-66.90), however this was based on low-certainty evidence. No harms were described with use of volatile anesthetics. CONCLUSION: Volatile anaesthetics may be associated with a decreased duration of mechanical ventilation in patients admitted with ROSC however this is based on low-certainty evidence. Further data are needed to assess their role in this population.

Significant Valvular Dysfunction and Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock: Insights From the Randomized DOREMI Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) suffer high rates of in-hospital mortality, with little evidence guiding management. The impact of valvular heart disease in patients with CS remains unclear. We therefore conducted a post hoc analysis of the randomized Dobutamine Compared to Milrinone (DOREMI) trial to determine the impact of valvular disease on outcomes in patients with CS. METHODS: We defined significant valvular disease as moderate to severe or greater valvular stenosis or regurgitation and divided participants into a group of those with significant valvular disease and those without. Our primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints included resuscitated cardiac arrest; cardiac transplantation or mechanical circulatory support; nonfatal myocardial infarction; stroke; initiation of renal replacement therapy; as well as changes in renal function, perfusion, and hemodynamics over time. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-nine (98.4%) participants from the DOREMI trial were included in our analysis, and 74 (39.2%) had significant valvular dysfunction. Thirty-six (48.7%) patients with valvular disease died in hospital, compared with 37 (32.2%) in the comparator group (relative risk, 1.5; 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.15; P = 0.02). Patients with aortic stenosis (2.42, 1.56-3.75; P < 0.01) and patients with mitral regurgitation (1.63, 1.1-2.43; P = 0.02) also had increased incidence of in-hospital mortality. There was no significant difference in any secondary outcomes among groups, apart from variances in mean arterial pressure observed in patients with valvular disease (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Significant valvular dysfunction is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in patients with CS. Randomized clinical trial data are needed to further elucidate the role of transcatheter valvular interventions as a therapeutic target in this population.

Utility of a smartphone application in assessing palmar circulation prior to radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting: rationale and design of the randomised CAPITAL iRADIAL-CABG trial.

INTRODUCTION: There is emerging evidence supporting the use of the radial artery (RA) as a preferred secondary conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as it is associated with higher rates of graft patency at 5 years when compared with saphenous vein grafts (SVG). The modified Allen's test (MAT) is traditionally regarded as the standard of care in the assessment of ulnar artery (UA) patency prior to RA harvesting. Unfortunately, due to high false-positive rates, a substantial number of pre-CABG patients are found to have an abnormal MAT despite normal UA patency, resulting in inappropriate exclusion from RA harvesting. The SVG is generally used in its place when this occurs, resulting in potentially lower rates of long-term graft patency. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The CAPITAL iRADIAL-CABG trial is currently enrolling participants 18 years of age or older undergoing CABG for whom the treating physician is considering the use of an RA conduit. Eligible patients will be randomised in a 1:1 fashion to MAT or smartphone-based photoplethysmography application assessment to assess collateral palmar circulation prior to RA harvesting. The primary outcome of the trial is the use of the RA as a conduit during CABG. The primary safety outcome is postoperative palmar ischaemia as determined by clinical assessment or requirement of vascular intervention. Secondary outcomes include vascular complications, early graft failure, need for rescue percutaneous coronary intervention during the index hospitalisation and a composite cardiovascular outcome of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death prior to discharge from hospital. A total of 236 participants are planned to be recruited. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Ottawa Heart Science Network Research Ethics Board (approval number 20180865-01H). The study results will be disseminated via conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03810729.

Lactate Clearance as a Surrogate for Mortality in Cardiogenic Shock: Insights From the DOREMI Trial.

Background Recent studies have shown improved outcomes in cardiogenic shock through protocols directed toward early identification and initiation of mechanical circulatory support. However, objective therapeutic targets-based on clinical and/or laboratory data-to guide real-time clinical decision making are lacking. Lactate clearance has been suggested as a potential treatment target because of its independent association with mortality. Methods and Results In a post hoc analysis of the DOREMI (Dobutamine Compared to Milrinone in the Treatment of Cardiogenic Shock) trial-a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial comparing milrinone to dobutamine in the treatment of cardiogenic shock-we used prospectively collected lactate data to evaluate lactate clearance as a surrogate marker for in-hospital mortality. In total, 82 (57.7%) patients survived to hospital discharge (survivors). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, complete lactate clearance, percentage lactate clearance, and percentage lactate clearance per hour were independently associated with survival beginning as early as 8 hours after enrollment. Complete lactate clearance was the strongest predictor of survival at all time points, with odds ratios ranging between 2.46 (95% CI, 1.09-5.55; P=0.03) at 8 hours to 5.44 (95% CI, 2.14-13.8; P<0.01) at 24 hours. Conclusions Complete lactate clearance is a strong and independent predictor of in-hospital survival in patients with cardiogenic shock. Together with previously published data, these results further support the validity of lactate clearance as an appropriate surrogate for mortality and as a potential therapeutic target in future cardiogenic shock trials. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03207165.

Modifiable Risk Factors and Residual Risk Following Coronary Revascularization: Insights From a Regionalized Dedicated Follow-Up Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To ensure compliance with optimal secondary prevention strategies and document the residual risk of patients following revascularization, we established a postrevascularization clinic for risk-factor optimization at 1 year, with outcomes recorded in a web-based registry. Although coronary revascularization can reduce ischemia, medical treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the cornerstone of ongoing risk reduction. While standardized referral pathways and protocols for revascularization are prevalent and well studied, post-revascularization care is often less formalized. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The University of Ottawa Heart Institute is a tertiary-care center providing coronary revascularization services. From 2015 to 2019, data were prospectively recorded in the CAPITAL revascularization registry, and patient-level procedural, clinical, and outcome data are collected in the year following revascularization. Major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) was defined as death, myocardial infarction, unplanned revascularization, or cerebrovascular accident. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to evaluate time-to-event data for clinical outcomes by risk-factor management, and comparisons were performed using log-rank tests and reported by hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A cohort of 4147 patients completed 1-year follow-up after revascularization procedure that included 3462 undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 589 undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and 96 undergoing both PCI and CABG. In the year following revascularization (median follow-up 13.3 months-interquartile range [IQR]: 11.9-16.5) 11% of patients experienced MACE, with female patients being disproportionately at risk. Moreover, 47.7% of patients had ≥2 risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidemia, overweight, active smoker) at the time of follow-up, with 45.0% of patients with diabetes failing to achieve target hemoglobin (Hb) A1c, 54.8% of smokers continuing to smoke, and 27.1% of patients failing to achieve guideline-directed lipid targets. CONCLUSION: Patients who have undergone revascularization procedures remain at elevated risk for MACE, and inadequately controlled risk factors are prevalent in follow-up. This highlights the need for aggressive secondary prevention strategies and implementation of programs to optimize postrevascularization care.