Five-year follow-up of OCT-guided percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Compared with intravascular ultrasound guidance, there is limited evidence for optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. AIMS: We investigated the role of OCT in guiding a reperfusion strategy and improving the long-term prognosis of STEMI patients. METHODS: All patients who were diagnosed with STEMI and who underwent pPCI between January 2017 and December 2020 were enrolled and divided into OCT-guided versus angiography-guided cohorts. They had routine follow-up for up to 5 years or until the time of the last known contact. All-cause death and cardiovascular death were designated as the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 3,897 patients were enrolled: 2,696 (69.2%) with OCT guidance and 1,201 (30.8%) with angiographic guidance. Patients in the OCT-guided cohort were less often treated with stenting during pPCI (62.6% vs 80.2%; p<0.001). The 5-year cumulative rates of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in the OCT-guided cohort were 10.4% and 8.0%, respectively, significantly lower than in the angiography-guided cohort (19.0% and 14.1%; both log-rank p<0.001). All 4 multivariate models showed that OCT guidance could significantly reduce 5-year all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] in model 4: 0.689, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.551-0.862) and cardiovascular mortality (HR in model 4: 0.692, 95% CI: 0.536-0.895). After propensity score matching, the benefits of OCT guidance were consistent in terms of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.707, 95% CI: 0.548-0.913) and cardiovascular mortality (HR: 0.709, 95% CI: 0.526-0.955). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with angiography alone, OCT guidance may change reperfusion strategies and lead to better long-term survival in STEMI patients undergoing pPCI. Findings in the current observational study should be further corroborated in randomised trials.

The effect and safety of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy for STEMI patients after PCI: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a common acute ischemia heart disease that causes serious damage to human health worldwide. Even though morbidity and mortality have significantly decreased by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), an additional cardiac protection strategy is still required. Acupuncture therapy has presented a dominant cardiac protection in many studies lately. Thus, we aim to evaluate the effect and safety of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy in STEMI patients after PCI through a randomized controlled trial. METHODS/DESIGN: This study describes a protocol of multicenter, double-blinded, parallel-controlled, randomized controlled trial. Ninety-six patients with STEMI aged 18-85 years who undergoing PCI will be recruited from the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Third Hospital of Chengdu Traditional Chinese Medicine University/Chengdu Pidu District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Zhaotong Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to the verum acupuncture plus basic therapy (i.e., treatment) group or the sham acupuncture plus basic therapy (i.e., control) group. These participants will be treated for 5 days and then will be followed up for 24 weeks. Any adverse events will be recorded throughout the study to evaluate safety. DISCUSSION: The present study aims to investigate the effect and safety of acupuncture for patients with STEMI after PCI and set up standardized treatment programs for acupuncture of these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration ID: [ChiCTR2400081117]), on February 22, 2024.

Smoking paradox in coronary function and structure of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The Smoking paradox has generated inconsistent findings concerning the clinical prognosis of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, while providing limited insights into coronary anatomy and function which are crucial prognostic factors. Therefore, this study aimed to further investigate the existence of smoking paradox in coronary anatomy and function. METHODS: This study divided STEMI patients into smokers and non-smokers. Quantitative coronary angiography, angiography­derived microcirculatory resistance (AMR) and quantitative flow ratio (QFR) were utilized to analyze coronary anatomy and function. These parameters were compared using multivariable analysis and propensity score matching. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression. RESULTS: The study included 1258 patients, with 730 in non-smoker group and 528 in smoker group. Smokers were significantly younger, predominantly male, and had fewer comorbidities. Without adjusting for confounders, smokers exhibited larger lumen diameter [2.03(1.45-2.57) vs. 1.90(1.37-2.49), P = 0.033] and lower AMR [244(212-288) vs. 260(218-301), P = 0.006]. After matching and multivariate adjustment, smokers exhibited inversely smaller lumen diameter [1.97(1.38-2.50) vs. 2.15(1.63-2.60), P = 0.002] and higher incidence of coronary microvascular dysfunction [233(53.9%) vs. 190(43.6%), P = 0.002], but showed similar AMR and clinical outcomes compared to non-smokers. There was no difference in QFR between two groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking among STEMI patients undergoing pPCI was associated with smaller lumen diameter and higher occurrence of coronary microvascular dysfunction, although it had no further impact on clinical prognosis. The smoking paradox observed in coronary anatomy or function may be explained by younger age, gender, and lower prevalence of comorbidities.

A case-crossover study of ST-elevation myocardial infarction and organic carbon and source-specific PM2.5 concentrations in Monroe County, New York.

Background: Previous work reported increased rates of cardiovascular hospitalizations associated with increased source-specific PM2.5 concentrations in New York State, despite decreased PM2.5 concentrations. We also found increased rates of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) associated with short-term increases in concentrations of ultrafine particles and other traffic-related pollutants in the 2014-2016 period, but not during 2017-2019 in Rochester. Changes in PM2.5 composition and sources resulting from air quality policies (e.g., Tier 3 light-duty vehicles) may explain the differences. Thus, this study aimed to estimate whether rates of STEMI were associated with organic carbon and source-specific PM2.5 concentrations. Methods: Using STEMI patients treated at the University of Rochester Medical Center, compositional and source-apportioned PM2.5 concentrations measured in Rochester, a time-stratified case-crossover design, and conditional logistic regression models, we estimated the rate of STEMI associated with increases in mean primary organic carbon (POC), secondary organic carbon (SOC), and source-specific PM2.5 concentrations on lag days 0, 0-3, and 0-6 during 2014-2019. Results: The associations of an increased rate of STEMI with interquartile range (IQR) increases in spark-ignition emissions (GAS) and diesel (DIE) concentrations in the previous few days were not found from 2014 to 2019. However, IQR increases in GAS concentrations were associated with an increased rate of STEMI on the same day in the 2014-2016 period (Rate ratio [RR] = 1.69; 95% CI = 0.98, 2.94; 1.73 µg/m3). In addition, each IQR increase in mean SOC concentration in the previous 6 days was associated with an increased rate of STEMI, despite imprecision (RR = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.89, 1.45; 0.42 µg/m3). Conclusion: Increased SOC concentrations may be associated with increased rates of STEMI, while there seems to be a declining trend in adverse effects of GAS on triggering of STEMI. These changes could be attributed to changes in PM2.5 composition and sources following the Tier 3 vehicle introduction.

The impact of admission modes on the treatment outcome and in-hospital mortality rate of STEMI patients undergoing PPCI.

The current research on ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients has been mostly limited to Door-to-Balloon (D-to-B) time. This study aimed to compare the effects of different hospital admission modes to on the time metrics of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). It also examined the effects of these modes on in-hospital mortality and other influencing factors. The goal was to prompt healthcare facilities at all levels, including chest hospitals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and communities to take measures to enhance the treatment outcomes for patients with STEMI. A total of 1053 cases of STEMI patients admitted to Tianjin Chest Hospital from December 2016 to December 2023 and successfully underwent PPCI were selected for this study. They were divided into three groups based on the admission modes: the ambulances group (363 cases), the self-presentation group (305 cases), and the transferred group (385 cases). Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the impact of different modes of hospital admission on the standard-reaching rate of key treatment time metrics. The results showed that the S-to-FMC time of transferred patients (OR = 0.434, 95% CI 0.316-0.596, P < 0.001) and self-presentation patients (OR = 0.489, 95% CI 0.363-0.659, P < 0.001) were more likely to exceed the standard than that of ambulance patients; The cath lab pre-activation time of self-presented patients was also less likely to meet the standard than that of ambulance patients (OR = 0.695, 95% CI 0.499-0.967, P = 0.031); D-to-W time of self-presentation patients was less likely to reach the standard than that of ambulance patients (OR = 0.323, 95% CI 0.234-0.446, P < 0.001);However, the FMC-to-ECG time of self-presentation patients was more likely to reach the standard than that of ambulance patients (OR = 2.601, 95% CI 1.326-5.100, P = 0.005). The Cox proportional hazards model analysis revealed that for ambulance patients, the time spent at each key treatment time point is shorter, leading to lower in-hospital mortality rate (HR0.512, 95% CI 0.302-0.868, P = 0.013) compared to patients admitted by other means. We found that direct arrival of STEMI patients to the PCI hospital via ambulance at the onset of the disease significantly reduces the S-to-FMC time, FMC-to-ECG time, D-to-W time, and catheterization room activation time compared to patients who self-present. This admission mode enhances the likelihood of meeting the benchmark standards for each time metric, consequently enhancing patient outcomes.

Pericardial Fluid Accumulates microRNAs That Regulate Heart Fibrosis after Myocardial Infarction.

Pericardial fluid (PF) has been suggested as a reservoir of molecular targets that can be modulated for efficient repair after myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we set out to address the content of this biofluid after MI, namely in terms of microRNAs (miRs) that are important modulators of the cardiac pathological response. PF was collected during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from two MI cohorts, patients with non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) and patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI), and a control group composed of patients with stable angina and without previous history of MI. The PF miR content was analyzed by small RNA sequencing, and its biological effect was assessed on human cardiac fibroblasts. PF accumulates fibrotic and inflammatory molecules in STEMI patients, namely causing the soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST-2), which inversely correlates with the left ventricle ejection fraction. Although the PF of the three patient groups induce similar levels of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast activation in vitro, RNA sequencing revealed that PF from STEMI patients is particularly enriched not only in pro-fibrotic miRs but also anti-fibrotic miRs. Among those, miR-22-3p was herein found to inhibit TGF-ß-induced human cardiac fibroblast activation in vitro. PF constitutes an attractive source for screening diagnostic/prognostic miRs and for unveiling novel therapeutic targets in cardiac fibrosis.

Outcomes and relevance of emergency percutaneous coronary angiography and intervention after resuscitated cardiac arrest: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest and displaying no ST-segment elevation on initial electrocardiogram (ECG), recent randomized trials indicated no benefits from early coronary angiography. How the results of such randomized studies apply to a real-world clinical context remains to be established. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a clinical database including all patients 18 yo or older admitted to our tertiary University Hospital from January 2017 to August 2020 after successful resuscitation of out-of-Hospital (OHCA) or In-Hospital (IHCA) cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac origin, and undergoing immediate coronary angiography, regardless of the initial rhythm and post-resuscitation ECG. The primary outcome of the study was survival at day 90 after cardiac arrest. Demographic data, characteristics of cardiac arrest, duration of resuscitation, laboratory values at admission, angiographic data and revascularization status were collected. Comparisons were performed according to the initial ECG (ST-segment elevation or not), and between survivors and non-survivors. Variables associated with the primary outcome were evaluated by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: We analyzed 147 patients (130 OHCA and 17 IHCA), including 67 with STEMI and 80 without STEMI (No STEMI). Immediate revascularization was performed in 65/67 (97%) STEMI and 15/80 (19%) no STEMI. Day 90 survival was significantly higher in STEMI (48/67, 72%) than no STEMI (44/80, 55%). In the latter patients, survival was not influenced by the revascularization status. In univariate and multivariate analyses, lower age, a shockable rhythm, shorter durations of no flow and low flow, and a lower initial blood lactate were associated with survival in both STEMI and no STEMI. In contrast, metabolic abnormalities, including lower initial plasma sodium and higher potassium were significantly associated with mortality only in the subgroup of no STEMI patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, obtained in a real-world clinical setting, indicate that an immediate coronary angiography is not associated with any survival advantage in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac etiology without ST-segment elevation on initial ECG. Furthermore, we found that some early metabolic abnormalities may be associated with mortality in this population, which should deserve further investigation.

Prognosis in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Reperfused by PHDP: 1-Year MACEs Follow-Up.

This study explored 1-year follow-up of Parmaco-invasive strategy with half-dose recombinant human prourokinase (PHDP) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The follow-up endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) occurring within 30 days and 1 year, as well as postoperative bleeding events. The study ultimately included 150 subjects, with 75 in the primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) group and 75 in the PHDP group. This study found that the PHDP group had a shorter FMC-reperfusion time (42.00 min vs 96.00 min, P < 0.001). During PCI, the PHDP group had a lower percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (P = 0.021), intropin (P = 0.002) and tirofiban (P < 0.001) use. And the incidence of intraoperative arrhythmia, malignant arrhythmia, and slow flow/no-reflow was lower in the PHDP group (P < 0.001). At the 30-day follow-up, there was a significantly higher proportion of patients in the PPCI group who were readmitted due to unstable angina (P = 0.037). After 1 year of follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference in MACEs between the two groups (P = 0.500). The incidence of postoperative major bleeding, intracranial bleeding, and minor bleeding did not differ between the PHDP and PPCI groups (P > 0.05). The PHDP facilitates early treatment of infarct-related vessels, shortens FMC-reperfusion time, and does not increase the risk of MACEs.

Reproductive factors and risk of cardiovascular outcomes in women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: There are many sex-specific factors affecting myocardial infarction (MI) outcomes in males and females. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between reproductive factors and cardiovascular outcomes in women after ST-elevation MI. METHOD: This retrospective cohort study was initiated in 2016-2017 at Chamran Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. One hundred eighty women with a diagnosis of ST-elevation MI were followed up for 3 years, and any occurrence of cardiovascular events (CVs) was recorded. All information regarding reproductive factors was recorded via questionnaire. This information was compared between women with cardiovascular events and women without adverse events using a sample t test, chi-square test, and multiple backward logistic regression analysis. SPSS version 24 was used to conduct all analyses. RESULT: Sixty-four women with a mean age of 65.81 ± 13.14 years experienced CV events, and 116 women with a mean age of 65.51 ± 10.88 years did not experience CV events. A history of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus were more prevalent in women with CV events (P = 0.024 and P = 0.019). After adjusting for ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus, oral contraceptive pill (OCP) usage was more prevalent in women with CV events than in women without CV events (60.9% vs. 40.4%, P = 0.008). There was a greater chance of CV events in women with OCP usage (OR = 3.546, P = 0.038) and a lower chance of CV events in women with greater age at menarche (OR = 0.630, P = 0.009) and longer breastfeeding duration (OR = 0.798, P = 0.041) according to multiple backward logistic regression models. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, OCP consumption is a risk factor, while older age at menarche and longer duration of breastfeeding are protective factors for cardiovascular outcomes in women after STEMI.

Analysis of the Prognosis Outcomes and Treatment Delay Among ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients in Emergency Department Based on the Presence of Symptoms Suggestive of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: During COVID-19 pandemic, the emergency department (ED) was challenged to treat patients with COVID-19-related symptom. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate treatment delay and prognostic outcomes in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients during COVID-19 pandemic due to isolation or precaution and compare it with pre-COVID-19 period. METHODS: This was a retrospective observation study using multicenter data with different case mix. Anonymized data were collected through each center's electronic medical data of common case report form. Primary outcomes were number and rate of in-hospital mortality within 28 days. Secondary outcomes were door-to-balloon time and length of stay in the ED. Kaplan-Meier estimation and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were performed to determine impact of predictors on 28-day in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Door-to-balloon time was longer in STEMI patients with COVID-19-related symptom(s) than those without symptom during the COVID-19 period (97.0 [74.8, 139.8] vs. 69.0 [55.0, 102.0] minutes, P<.001). However, there was no significant statistical difference in door-to-balloon time between STEMI patients with and without COVID-19-related symptom(s) during the pre-COVID-19 period (73.0 [61.0, 92.0] vs. 67.0 [54.5, 80.0] minutes, P=.2869). The 28-day mortality rate did not show a statistically significant difference depending on symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 during the pre-COVID-19 period (15.4% vs. 6.8%, P=.1257). However, it was significantly higher during the COVID-19 period (21.1% vs. 6.7%, P=.0102) in patients with COVID-19 suggestive symptoms than in patients without the symptoms. CONCLUSION: In Korea, symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 during the pandemic had a significant effect on the increase of door-to-balloon time and 28-day mortality in STEMI patients. Thus, health authorities need to make careful decision in designating symptoms indicated for isolation in ED based on opinions of various medical field experts.

[Analysis of the unicentric registry of the Infarction Code program: retrospective cohort]. / Análisis del registro unicéntrico del programa Código Infarto: cohorte retrospectiva.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the most serious manifestation of coronary heart disease. The Infarction Code (according to its initialism in Spanish, CI: Código Infarto) program aims to improve the care of these patients. Objective: To describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of CI program in a coronary care unit (CCU). Material and methods: A database of a CCU with 5 years of consecutive records was analyzed. Patients diagnosed with ACS were included. The groups with acute myocardial infarction with and without ST-segment elevation were compared using Student's t, Mann-Whitney U and chi-squared tests. We calculated the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of cardiovascular risk factors for mortality. Results: A total of 4678 subjects were analyzed, 78.7% men, mean age 63 years (± 10.7). 80.76% presented acute myocardial infarction with positive ST-segment elevation and fibrinolytic was granted in 60.8% of cases. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in 81.4% of patients, which was successful in 82.5% of events. Patients classified as CI presented mortality of 6.8% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.001. Invasive mechanical ventilation had an RR of 26.58 (95% CI: 20.61-34.3) and circulatory shock an RR of 20.86 (95% CI: 16.16-26.93). Conclusions: The CI program decreased mortality by 4.9%. Early fibrinolysis and successful coronary angiography are protective factors for mortality within CCU.

Introducción: el síndrome coronario agudo (SICA) es la manifestación más grave de la enfermedad coronaria. El programa Código Infarto (CI) tiene como objetivo mejorar la atención de estos pacientes. Objetivo: describir la presentación clínica y los resultados del programa CI de una unidad de cuidados coronarios (UCC). Material y métodos: se analizó una base de datos de una UCC con 5 años de registros consecutivos. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de SICA. Se compararon los grupos con infarto agudo de miocardio con y sin elevación del segmento ST mediante las pruebas t de Student, U de Mann-Whitney y chi cuadrada. Se calculó el riesgo relativo (RR) y el intervalo de confianza del 95% (IC 95%) de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular para mortalidad. Resultados: se analizaron 4678 sujetos, 78.7% hombres, con media de edad de 63 años (± 10.7). El 80.76% presentó infarto agudo de miocardio con desnivel positivo del segmento ST y se otorgó fibrinolítico en el 60.8% de los casos. Se realizó intervencionismo coronario percutáneo en el 81.4% de los pacientes, el cual fue exitoso en el 82.5% de los eventos. Los pacientes catalogados como CI presentaron mortalidad del 6.8% frente a 11.7%, p = 0.001. La ventilación mecánica invasiva tuvo una RR de 26.58 (IC 95%: 20.61-34.3) y el choque circulatorio una RR de 20.86 (IC 95%: 16.16-26.93). Conclusiones: el programa CI disminuyó 4.9% la mortalidad. La fibrinólisis temprana y la angiografía coronaria exitosa son factores protectores para mortalidad dentro de la UCC.

Evaluation of a nomogram model for predicting in-hospital mortality risk in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction and acute heart failure post-PCI.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the risk factors contributing to in-hospital mortality in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who develop acute heart failure (AHF) post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Based on these factors, we constructed a nomogram to effectively identify high-risk patients. METHODS: In the study, a collective of 280 individuals experiencing an acute STEMI who then developed AHF following PCI were evaluated. These subjects were split into groups for training and validation purposes. Utilizing lasso regression in conjunction with logistic regression analysis, researchers sought to pinpoint factors predictive of mortality and to create a corresponding nomogram for forecasting purposes. To evaluate the model's accuracy and usefulness in clinical settings, metrics such as the concordance index (C-index), calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed. RESULTS: Key risk factors identified included blood lactate, D-dimer levels, gender, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and Killip class IV. The nomogram demonstrated high accuracy (C-index: training set 0.838, validation set 0.853) and good fit (Hosmer-Lemeshow test: χ2 = 0.545, p = 0.762), confirming its clinical utility. CONCLUSION: The developed clinical prediction model is effective in accurately forecasting mortality among patients with acute STEMI who develop AHF after PCI.

Aortic Aneurysm Mimicking Inferior ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report.

Here, we report a rare case of a 22-year-old female presenting with recurrent chest pain mimicking inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) but ultimately attributed to an aortic aneurysm. Despite facing initial challenges in diagnosis, such as normal troponin levels and temporary electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, advanced imaging showed a large mass in the chest pressing on the right coronary artery. Prompt multidisciplinary intervention, including surgical resection of the aneurysm, led to successful management and improved outcomes. This case highlights the importance of considering unusual etiologies in atypical presentations of myocardial infarction, necessitating comprehensive evaluation and collaboration among various specialties for optimal patient care.

The feasibility of delivering cardiac brief intervention to patients following ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients experience emotional distress and hold cardiac misconceptions following ST-elevation myocardial infarction. These issues informed the co-production of Cardiac Brief Intervention with patients and clinicians. The current study will establish a knowledge base for the feasibility of delivering this intervention to patients following ST-elevation myocardial infarction, with a preliminary exploration of impact on associated outcomes (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05848674). METHODS: A pilot randomised controlled trial incorporating a mixed-methods design will be conducted. Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (number = 40) will be recruited from coronary care units at two hospital centres in Northern Ireland, with participants randomised (1:1) to the intervention or control group. Cardiac Brief Intervention constitutes a nurse-led, short (20 minutes) emotional and educational support discussion with a patient, with a leaflet that serves as a memory-aid. It will be delivered to the intervention group prior to discharge from a coronary care unit. The control group will receive standard care information. Data will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, 4 weeks from diagnosis, and 14 weeks from diagnosis. Feasibility measurements and process evaluation (quantitative and qualitative) will assess the viability of the research design and intervention delivery. Cardiac rehabilitation attendance data will be collected, and participants will complete questionnaires related to associated outcomes. Quantitative data will be reported with descriptive statistics and qualitative data will be analysed using framework analysis, with data integrated to achieve triangulation of findings. DISCUSSION: Educational and emotional difficulties following ST-elevation myocardial infarction may impede patient outcomes and cardiac rehabilitation participation. These issues informed the co-production of Cardiac Brief Intervention with patients and clinicians. This study will evaluate the feasibility of delivering Cardiac Brief Intervention to patients. These results will inform large-scale definitive testing of the intervention, which may lead to adoption in clinical practice to improve cardiac rehabilitation uptake and patient outcomes.

Excessive accumulation of epicardial adipose tissue promotes microvascular obstruction formation after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion through modulating macrophages polarization.

BACKGROUND: Owing to its unique location and multifaceted metabolic functions, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is gradually emerging as a new metabolic target for coronary artery disease risk stratification. Microvascular obstruction (MVO) has been recognized as an independent risk factor for unfavorable prognosis in acute myocardial infarction patients. However, the concrete role of EAT in the pathogenesis of MVO formation in individuals with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unclear. The objective of the study is to evaluate the correlation between EAT accumulation and MVO formation measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in STEMI patients and clarify the underlying mechanisms involved in this relationship. METHODS: Firstly, we utilized CMR technique to explore the association of EAT distribution and quantity with MVO formation in patients with STEMI. Then we utilized a mouse model with EAT depletion to explore how EAT affected MVO formation under the circumstances of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. We further investigated the immunomodulatory effect of EAT on macrophages through co-culture experiments. Finally, we searched for new therapeutic strategies targeting EAT to prevent MVO formation. RESULTS: The increase of left atrioventricular EAT mass index was independently associated with MVO formation. We also found that increased circulating levels of DPP4 and high DPP4 activity seemed to be associated with EAT increase. EAT accumulation acted as a pro-inflammatory mediator boosting the transition of macrophages towards inflammatory phenotype in myocardial I/R injury through secreting inflammatory EVs. Furthermore, our study declared the potential therapeutic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonist and GLP-1/GLP-2 receptor dual agonist for MVO prevention were at least partially ascribed to its impact on EAT modulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our work for the first time demonstrated that excessive accumulation of EAT promoted MVO formation by promoting the polarization state of cardiac macrophages towards an inflammatory phenotype. Furthermore, this study identified a very promising therapeutic strategy, GLP-1/GLP-2 receptor dual agonist, targeting EAT for MVO prevention following myocardial I/R injury.

Exploratory analysis of predictors of ventricular aneurysm in a cohort of 291 patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we explored the determinants of ventricular aneurysm development following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), thereby prompting timely interventions to enhance patient prognosis. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort analysis, we evaluated 297 AMI patients admitted to the First People's Hospital of Changzhou. The study was structured as follows. Comprehensive baseline data collection included hematological evaluations, ECG, echocardiography, and coronary angiography upon admission. Within 3 months post-AMI, cardiac ultrasounds were administered to detect ventricular aneurysm development. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to pinpoint the determinants of ventricular aneurysm formation. Subsequently, a predictive model was formulated for ventricular aneurysm post-AMI. Moreover, the diagnostic efficacy of this model was appraised using the ROC curves. RESULTS: In our analysis of 291 AMI patients, spanning an age range of 32-91 years, 247 were male (84.9%). At the conclusion of a 3-month observational period, the cohort bifurcated into two subsets: 278 patients without ventricular aneurysm and 13 with evident ventricular aneurysm. Distinguishing features of the ventricular aneurysm subgroup were markedly higher values for age, B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP), Left atrium(LA), Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LEVDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVEWD), E-wave velocity (E), Left atrial volume (LAV), E/A ratio (E/A), E/e ratio (E/e), ECG with elevated adjacent four leads(4 ST-Elevation), and anterior wall myocardial infarction(AWMI) compared to their counterparts (p < 0.05). Among the singular predictive factors, total cholesterol (TC) emerged as the most significant predictor for ventricular aneurysm development, exhibiting an AUC of 0.704. However, upon crafting a multifactorial model that incorporated gender, TC, an elevated ST-segment in adjacent four leads, and anterior wall infarction, its diagnostic capability: notably surpassed that of the standalone TC, yielding an AUC of 0.883 (z = -9.405, p = 0.000) as opposed to 0.704. Multivariate predictive model included gender, total cholesterol, ST elevation in 4 adjacent leads, anterior myocardial infarction, the multivariate predictive model showed better diagnostic efficacy than single factor index TC (AUC: 0. 883 vs. 0.704,z =-9.405, p = 0.000), it also improved predictive power for correctly reclassifying ventricular aneurysm occurrence in patients with AMI, NRI = 28.42% (95% CI: 6.29-50.55%; p = 0.012). Decision curve analysis showed that the use of combination model had a positive net benefit. CONCLUSION: Lipid combined with ECG model after myocardial infarction could be used to predict the formation of ventricular aneurysm and aimed to optimize and adjust treatment strategies.

A dual-center analysis of conservative versus liberal glycoprotein IIb-IIIa antagonist strategies in the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

While the efficacy of GpIIb-IIIa-inhibitors during primary PCI (pPCI) for ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) has previously been demonstrated, its ongoing role and safety in combination with newer P2Y12-inhibitors is unclear. We therefore sought to compare outcomes between two centers with divergent approaches to the use of GpIIbIIIa antagonists in pPCI. We performed a retrospective chart review of all-comer STEMI patients treated with pPCI at two high-volume Montreal academic tertiary care centers. One center tended to use GpIIb-IIIa-inhibitors up-front in a large proportion of patients (liberal strategy) and the other preferring a bail-out approach (conservative strategy). Baseline patient characteristics and procedural data were compared between the two groups. The main efficacy outcome was rate of no-reflow/slow-reflow and the main safety outcome was BARC ≥ 2 bleeding events. A total of 459 patients were included, of whom 167 (36.5%) were exposed to a GpIIb-IIIa-antagonist. There was a significant overall difference in use of GpIIb-IIIa-antagonist between the two centers (60.5% vs. 16.1%, p < 0.01). Rate of no-reflow/slow-reflow was similar between groups (2.6% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.22). In-hospital rates of unplanned revascularization, stroke and death were also not different between groups. Use of a liberal GpIIb--IIIa-antagonist strategy was however associated with a higher risk of bleeding (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.57-6.37, p < 0.01), which persisted after adjustment for covariables (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.40-5.81, p < 0.01). In this contemporary retrospective cohort, a conservative, bail-out only GpIIb--IIIa-antagonist strategy was associated with a lower incidence of clinically relevant bleeding without any signal for an increase in no-reflow/slow-reflow or ischemic clinical events.

Adaptability of prognostic prediction models for patients with acute coronary syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The detrimental repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of care and clinical outcomes for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) necessitate a rigorous re-evaluation of prognostic prediction models in the context of the pandemic environment. This study aimed to elucidate the adaptability of prediction models for 30-day mortality in patients with ACS during the pandemic periods. METHODS: A total of 2041 consecutive patients with ACS were included from 32 institutions between December 2020 and April 2023. The dataset comprised patients who were admitted for ACS and underwent coronary angiography for the diagnosis during hospitalisation. The prediction accuracy of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and a machine learning model, KOTOMI, was evaluated for 30-day mortality in patients with ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). RESULTS: The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) was 0.85 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.89) in the GRACE and 0.87 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.91) in the KOTOMI for STEMI. The difference of 0.020 (95% CI -0.098-0.13) was not significant. For NSTE-ACS, the respective AUROCs were 0.82 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.91) in the GRACE and 0.83 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.91) in the KOTOMI, also demonstrating insignificant difference of 0.010 (95% CI -0.023 to 0.25). The prediction accuracy of both models had consistency in patients with STEMI and insignificant variation in patients with NSTE-ACS between the pandemic periods. CONCLUSIONS: The prediction models maintained high accuracy for 30-day mortality of patients with ACS even in the pandemic periods, despite marginal variation observed.