Development and Validation of a Prediction Model and Score for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis Diagnosis: T-Amylo.

BACKGROUND: Although transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is often underdiagnosed, clinical suspicion is essential for early diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a feasible prediction model and score to facilitate the diagnosis of ATTR-CA. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter study enrolled consecutive patients who underwent 99mTc-DPD scintigraphy for suspected ATTR-CA. ATTR-CA was diagnosed if Grade 2 or 3 cardiac uptake was evidenced on 99mTc-DPD scintigraphy in the absence of a detectable monoclonal component or by demonstration of amyloid by biopsy. A prediction model for ATTR-CA diagnosis was developed in a derivation sample of 227 patients from 2 centers using multivariable logistic regression with clinical, electrocardiography, analytical, and transthoracic echocardiography variables. A simplified score was also created. Both of them were validated in an external cohort (n = 895) from 11 centers. RESULTS: The obtained prediction model combined age, gender, carpal tunnel syndrome, interventricular septum in diastole thickness, and low QRS interval voltages, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.92. The score had an AUC of 0.86. Both the T-Amylo prediction model and the score showed a good performance in the validation sample (ie, AUC: 0.84 and 0.82, respectively). They were tested in 3 clinical scenarios of the validation cohort: 1) hypertensive cardiomyopathy (n = 327); 2) severe aortic stenosis (n = 105); and 3) heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (n = 604), all with good diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: The T-Amylo is a simple prediction model that improves the prediction of ATTR-CA diagnosis in patients with suspected ATTR-CA.

Differences between patient-driven adherence to vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants. Do few missed doses matter? ACO-MEMS Study.

INTRODUCTION: Lack of INR controls might affect the adherence to direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). The vast majority of studies that addresses adherence to anticoagulants are retrospective and based on pharmacy refill data. Our aim was to compare the adherence between vitamin K antagonists (VKA) and DOAC and to analyze the clinical relevance of non-adherence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective two-arm observational cohort study was performed in two Spanish public hospitals. Adherence was assessed by Medication Event Monitoring System. Relationship between adherence and events during follow-up and time in therapeutic range (TTR) in the VKA group were analyzed. RESULTS: 257 patients were included (132 DOAC and 125 VKA). Monitoring time was 120 days (101-133). Patients in VKA group showed higher taking adherence (97.9% vs. 95.8%) and less non-adherent patients of >5% and >10% of the doses, without differences in >20% of the doses. Taking adherence was strongly associated with TTR (AUC: 0.89, CI 95%: 0.81-0.97 of TTR for detection of non-adherent patients of >10% of doses). During a follow-up of 1.8 years (1.6-2) non-adherent patients of >5% of doses presented more thromboembolic events (HR 6.1, CI95% 1.3-28.1). CONCLUSIONS: Although adherence to oral anticoagulant therapy was excellent, it was higher to VKA than to DOAC. Time in therapeutic range was highly sensitive to few missed doses of AVK. Non-adherence of >5% of prescribed doses had high clinical relevance.

[Prognostic impact of interventional approach in non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome in very elderly patients]. / Impacto pronóstico del abordaje intervencionista en el paciente muy anciano con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In moderate or high risk non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, clinical practice guidelines recommend a coronary angiography with intent to revascularize. However, evidence to support this recommendation in very elderly patients is poor. METHODS: All patients over 85 years old admitted to our hospital between 2004 and 2009 with a diagnosis of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome were retrospectively included. Using a propensity score, patients undergoing the interventional approach and those undergoing conservative management were matched and compared for survival and survival without ischemic events. RESULTS: We included 228 consecutive patients with a mean age of 88 years (range: 85 to 101). Those in the interventional approach group (n=100) were younger, with a higher proportion of males and less comorbidity, less cognitive impairment and lower troponin I levels compared with patients in the conservative management group (n=128). We matched 63 patients from the interventional approach group and 63 from the conservative management group using propensity score. In the matched patients, the interventional approach group exhibited better survival (log rank 4.24; P=.039) and better survival free of ischemic events (log rank 8.63; P=.003) at the 3-year follow-up. In the whole population, adjusted for propensity score quintiles, the interventional approach group had lower mortality (hazard ratio 0.52; 95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.85) and a better survival free of ischemic events (hazard ratio 0.48; 95% confidence interval: 0.32-0.74). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all the very elderly patients admitted with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome were of moderate or high risk. In these patients, the interventional approach was associated with overall better survival and better survival free of ischemic events.

Szabo technique versus conventional angiographic placement in bifurcations 010-001 of Medina and in aorto-ostial stenting: angiographic and procedural results.

AIMS: The best strategy for stenting in bifurcations remains unclear. Szabo et al described a technique for accurate stent placement in bifurcations 010-001 or in aorto-ostial lesions. Its feasibility has been validated in animal models and small clinical series, but its safety and procedural results have never been compared to conventional positioning. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a retrospective search, 257 out of 2,596 intervened lesions corresponded to Medina 010 (108, 42.0%)/001 (66, 25.7%) bifurcations or aorto-ostial lesions (83, 32.3%). Szabo was the initial choice in 78. Crude analysis showed significant differences between groups in several control variables, that disappeared after propensity score matching. Cross-over occurred in nine (11.7%) Szabo cases vs. no case in the conventional group. Two independent blinded investigators evaluated the angiographic result immediately after stent deployment. Szabo reduced the incidence of stent malpositioning (6.4% vs. 41.0%, p=0.000001), protrusion in the non-stented vessel/aorta (6.4% vs. 34.6%, p=0.00003) and incomplete scaffolding of the plaque (0.0% vs. 7.7%, p=NA). No significant differences regarding complications, procedural success or procedural complexity were observed after 30 days follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The Szabo technique reduces the incidence of angiographic malpositioning in Medina 010/001 bifurcations and aorto-ostial lesions, without increasing procedural complications.