Coronary artery disease severity and risk stratification of patients with non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome using CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score.

BACKGROUND: Risk stratification assessment of patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE ACS) plays an important role in optimal management and defines the patient's prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score (comprising of the components of the CHA2DS2-VASc score with a male instead of female sex category, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and family history of coronary artery disease respectively) to predict the severity and complexity of CAD and its efficacy in stratification for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with NSTE ACS without known atrial fibrillation. METHODS: This study included 200 patients (males 72.5%, mean age 55.8 ± 10.1 years) who were admitted with NSTE ACS. CHA2DS2-VASC-HSF score was calculated on admission. Patients were classified into three groups according to their CHA2DS2-VASC-HSF score: low score group (< 2; 29 patients), intermediate score group (2-4; 83 patients), and high score group (≥ 5; 88 patients). Coronary angiography was conducted and the Syntax score (SS) was calculated. Clinical follow-up at 6 months of admission for the development of MACE was recorded. RESULTS: SS was significantly high in the high CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score group compared with low and intermediate score groups. CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score had a significant positive strong correlation with syntax score (r = 0.64, P < 0.001). Smoking, vascular disease, hyperlipidemia, and CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score were independent predictors of high SS. For the prediction of severe and complex CAD, CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score had a good predictive power at a cut-off value ≥ 5 with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 65%. Hypertension, vascular disease, high SS, and CHA2DS2-VASc-HSF score were independent predictors of MACE. CHA2DS2-VASC-HSF score ≥ 4 was identified as an effective cut-off point for the development of MACE with 94% sensitivity and 70% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: CHA2DS2-VASC-HSF score is proposed to be a simple bedside score that could be used for the prediction of the severity and complexity of CAD as well as a risk stratification tool for the development of MACE in NSTE ACS patients.

Central blood pressure obtained by cuff-based oscillometry as a determinant of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Limited and conflicting data have been reported on the prognostic relevance of central blood pressure (CBP) compared with brachial blood pressure (BP) in the anticipation of hypertension-mediated organ damage and the majority of data derived using applanation tonometry with its known complexities. The objective of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic factors of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with a special highlight on the utility of non-invasive oscillometric CBP measurement and derived hemodynamic indices compared to brachial BP as indicators of LVH. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 300 hypertensive patients (mean age 55.3 years, 61.3% female, 51.7% obese) with a mean duration of hypertension was 5.8 years. They underwent measurement of brachial BP, using a mercury sphygmomanometer, and CBP, using a Mobil-O-Graph, alongside the determination of left ventricular (LV) mass by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. LVH and LV geometric patterns were defined by LV mass index/height 2.7 and relative wall thickness. RESULTS: Bivariate then multivariate analysis showed that age, BMI, central systolic BP (SBP), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were significant determinants of LVH and optimally controlled brachial BP was a significant negative determinant for LVH. Central SBP had an acceptable diagnostic performance to determine LVH in patients with hypertension (AUC = 0.722, 95% confidence interval: 0.618-0.824, SE = 0.21, P -value <0.001). Using one-way ANOVA, a comparison of means among age groups showed that the steady increase in central SBP and PWV with aging was greater among LVH patients than non-LVH patients. CONCLUSION: Estimated central SBP using Mobil-O-Graph showed a significantly higher correlation to LVH than brachial SBP values. The consistent increase in central SBP and PWV with aging was greater among LVH patients than non-LVH patients.

Effect of reperfusion strategy on QT dispersion in patients with acute myocardial infarction: Impact on in-hospital arrhythmia.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) increase QT dispersion (QTD) and corrected QT dispersion (QTcD), and are also associated with ventricular arrhythmia. AIM: To evaluate the effects of reperfusion strategy [primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) or fibrinolytic therapy] on QTD and QTcD in STEMI patients and assess the impact of the chosen strategy on the occurrence of in-hospital arrhythmia. METHODS: This prospective, observational, multicenter study included 240 patients admitted with STEMI who were treated with either PPCI (group I) or fibrinolytic therapy (group II). QTD and QTcD were measured on admission and 24 hr after reperfusion, and patients were observed to detect in-hospital arrhythmia. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in QTD and QTcD from admission to 24 hr in both group I and group II patients. QTD and QTcD were found to be shorter in group I patients at 24 hr than those in group II (53 ± 19 msec vs 60 ± 18 msec, P = 0.005 and 60 ± 21 msec vs 69+22 msec, P = 0.003, respectively). The occurrence of in-hospital arrhythmia was significantly more frequent in group II than in group I (25 patients, 20.8% vs 8 patients, 6.7%, P = 0.001). Furthermore, QTD and QTcD were higher in patients with in-hospital arrhythmia than those without (P = 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: In STEMI patients, PPCI and fibrinolytic therapy effectively reduced QTD and QTcD, with a higher observed reduction using PPCI. PPCI was associated with a lower incidence of in-hospital arrhythmia than fibrinolytic therapy. In addition, QTD and QTcD were shorter in patients not experiencing in-hospital arrhythmia than those with arrhythmia.

The role of preoperative venography in predicting the difficulty of a transvenous lead extraction procedure.

INTRODUCTION: We hypothesized that an accurate assessment of preoperative venography could be useful in predicting transvenous lead extraction (TLE) difficulty. METHODS AND RESULTS: A dedicated preoperative venogram was performed in consecutive patients with cardiac implantable electronic device who underwent TLE. The level of stenosis was classified as without significant stenosis, moderate, severe, and occlusion. The presence of extensive lead-venous wall adherence (≥50 mm) was also assessed. A total of 105 patients (median age: 71 years; 72% male) with a median of 2 (1-2) leads to extract were enrolled. Preoperative venography showed moderate to severe stenosis in 31 (30%), complete occlusion in 15 (14%), and extensive lead-venous wall adherence in 50 (48%) patients. Complete TLE success was achieved in 103 (98%) patients. A total of 55 (52%) were advanced extractions as they required a powered mechanical and/or laser sheath. They were more prevalent in the group with extensive lead-venous wall adherence (72% vs. 34%, p < .001), while no differences were found between patients with and without venous occlusion. In multivariate analysis, the presence of adherence was a predictor of advanced extraction (odds ratio: 2.89 [1.14-7.32], p = .025). The fluoroscopy time was also significantly longer (14.0 [8.2-18.7] vs. 5.1 [2.1-10.0] min, p < .001). The rate of complications did not differ based on the presence of venous lesions. CONCLUSION: Although procedural success and complication rates were similar, patients with extensive lead-venous wall adherence required a longer fluoroscopy time and were three times more likely to need advanced extraction tools. Conversely, the presence of total venous occlusion had no impact on the procedure complexity.

Metabolic Scar Assessment with18F-FDG PET: Correlation to Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia Substrate and Successful Ablation Sites.

The functional and molecular imaging characteristics of ischemic ventricular tachycardia (VT) substrate are incompletely understood. Our objective was to compare regional 18F-FDG PET tracer uptake with detailed electroanatomic maps (EAMs) in a more extensive series of postinfarction VT patients to define the metabolic properties of VT substrate and successful ablation sites. Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) metabolic left ventricular reconstructions were created from perfusion-normalized 18F-FDG PET images in consecutive patients undergoing VT ablation. PET defects were classified as severe (defined as <50% uptake) or moderate (defined as 50%-70% uptake), as referenced to the maximal 17-segment uptake. Color-coded PET scar reconstructions were coregistered with corresponding high-resolution 3D EAMs, which were classified as indicating dense scarring (defined as voltage < 0.5 mV), normal myocardium (defined as voltage > 1.5 mV), or border zones (defined as voltage of 0.5-1.5 mV). Results: All 56 patients had ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction, 29% ± 12%). Severe PET defects were larger than dense scarring, at 63.0 ± 48.4 cm2 versus 13.8 ± 33.1 cm2 (P < 0.001). Similarly, moderate/severe PET defects (≤70%) were larger than areas with abnormal voltage (≤1.5 mV) measuring 105.1 ± 67.2 cm2 versus 56.2 ± 62.6 cm2 (P < 0.001). Analysis of bipolar voltage (23,389 mapping points) showed decreased voltage among severe PET defects (n = 10,364; 0.5 ± 0.3 mV) and moderate PET defects (n = 5,243; 1.5 ± 0.9 mV, P < 0.01), with normal voltage among normal PET areas (>70% uptake) (n = 7,782, 3.2 ± 1.3 mV, P < 0.001). Eighty-eight percent of VT channel or exit sites (n = 44) were metabolically abnormal (severe PET defect, 78%; moderate PET defect, 10%), whereas 12% (n = 6) were in PET-normal areas. Metabolic channels (n = 26) existed in 45% (n = 25) of patients, with an average length and width of 17.6 ± 12.5 mm and 10.3 ± 4.2 mm, respectively. Metabolic channels were oriented predominantly in the apex or base (86%), harboring VT channel or exit sites in 31%. Metabolic rapid-transition areas (>50% change in 18F-FDG tracer uptake/15 mm) were detected in 59% of cases (n = 33), colocalizing to VT channels or exit sites (15%) or near these sites (85%, 12.8 ± 8.5 mm). Metabolism-voltage mismatches in which there was a severe PET defect but voltage indicating normal myocardium were seen in 21% of patients (n = 12), 41% of whom were harboring VT channel or exit sites. Conclusion: Abnormal 18F-FDG uptake categories could be detected using incremental 3D step-up reconstructions. They predicted decreasing bipolar voltages and VT channel or exit sites in about 90% of cases. Additionally, functional imaging allowed detection of novel molecular tissue characteristics within the ischemic VT substrate such as metabolic channels, rapid-transition areas, and metabolism-voltage mismatches demonstrating intrasubstrate heterogeneity and providing possible targets for imaging-guided ablation.

Study of MRI brain findings and carotid US features in systemic sclerosis patients, relationship with disease parameters.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease associated with immune abnormalities and widespread vascular lesions, including increased intimal and medial thickness. These changes may be reflected in early atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risks. We aimed in this study to examine the carotid artery intima-media thickness and MRI brain findings in SSc patients and compared them to a group of normal controls. A relationship between these parameters and clinical measures in SSc was also sought. METHODS: Seventy-two SSc patients with no central nervous system (CNS) symptoms and 42 healthy controls were included. Clinical and laboratory measures, Medsger's severity scale, and Doppler ultrasound common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) were measured. Brain fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)-MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) were also done. RESULTS: SSc patients had more CCA-IMT, higher CRP, and more brain MRI hyperintense lesions than controls (P < 0.05). Significant positive correlations existed between CCA-IMT and Medsger vascular (r = 0.7, P = 0.02). The FLAIR-MRI showed multiple hyperintense lesions in 24 patients (33%), ranging 0-36 lesions. SSc patients with more lesions (positive MRI) had longer disease duration (P = 0.001) and left and right carotid artery atheromata (P = 0.001, and 0.013, respectively) than SSc patients with negative MRIs; Medsger vascular score did not separate the SSc groups (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: In systemic sclerosis patients without central nervous system symptoms, MRI lesion numbers correlated with CCA-IMT. MRI abnormalities were found more frequently if CRP was elevated, if the Medsger SSc Severity Scale was increased, or if there was thickened carotid IMT.

Drug-eluting stents or balloon angioplasty for drug-eluting stent-associated restenosis: An observational follow-up study of first-time versus repeated restenosis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of patients with repeated drug-eluting stent-in stent restenosis (DES-ISR) remains a challenge and a burdensome clinical problem. METHODS: Over a 3-year period, 130 lesions in 123 patients who underwent target lesion revascularization (TLR) for DES restenosis were included in the study. They were classified into two main groups: the first group having first-time DES-ISR (n = 84), and the second group having rerestenosis of DES-treated DES-ISR (n = 39). Further classification according to the treatment strategy yielded four subgroups: balloon angioplasty (BA) in first-time DES-ISR (n = 66), re-DES in the same group (n = 22), BA in rerestenosis of DES-treated DES-ISR (n = 30), and re-DES in the same group (n = 10). Angiographic follow-up was planned at 1 year, and clinical follow-up for re-TLR up to 2 years later. RESULTS: The mean duration of clinical follow-up was 24.8 ± 9.7 months. The angiographic follow-up data were obtained for 108 patients (87.8%) at 1 year. Among patients treated for first-time DES-ISR, late lumen loss (0.65 ± 0.83 mm and 1.02 ± 0.52 mm, p = 0.02) and binary restenosis rates (25% and 49.1%, p = 0.05) were significantly less in those undergoing re-DES compared with BA. This benefit was not evident in patients having rerestenosis of DES-treated DES-ISR. Re-TLR at 2 years was significantly less in the re-DES group compared with BA (log rank p = 0.038) in first-time DES-ISR patients, while no significant difference (log rank p = 0.58) was observed in those having rerestenosis of DES-treated DES-ISR. CONCLUSION: While a strategy of re-DES would be better than BA in first-time DES-ISR, this could not be extrapolated to rerestenosis cases.

The frequency and nature of medication errors in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background Cardiovascular medications have been commonly associated with medication errors. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and predictors of medication errors in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Setting the coronary care unit of a university teaching hospital. Methods This was a prospective observational study on 150 patients admitted to the coronary care unit between August 2014 and July 2015. Main outcome measure The principal outcome was the number (frequency) of encountered medication errors. Results Of total 5790 prescription items reviewed, 547 (9.4%) potential medication errors were identified of which 523 (9.0%) were prescribing errors and 24 were monitoring errors. The most frequent prescribing errors were dosing errors (231, 42.2%) followed by loading dose omission error (91, 16.6%), omission of essential drugs on 1st day (43, 7.9%), and timing error (40, 7.3%). Errors frequently encountered with drugs such as aspirin, enoxaparin, beta-blockers followed by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and clopidogrel. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that renal impairment (OR 6.02; 95% CI 1.4-35.4; p = 0.02) and longer duration of hospital stay (OR 4.01; 95% CI 1.5-10.7; p = 0.005) were predictors of the higher incidence of medication errors. Conclusion Prescribing and monitoring errors in coronary care unit are frequent and avoidable, with the majority of errors were ranked to be of mild to moderate severity. Dosing errors, omission of essential drugs and monitoring errors were most common error types encountered. Dosage adjustment based on estimation of the glomerular filtration rate immediately after admission help avoiding dosage-related errors.