The relationship between terminal QRS distortion on initial ECG and final infarct size at 4months in conventional ST- segment elevation myocardial infarct patients.

BACKGROUND: In the Sclarovsky-Birnbaum Ischemia Severity Grading System for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), "Terminal QRS distortion" is considered as "Grade III". This evidence for most severe ischemia is associated with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) markers of myocardial damage in the subacute phase. Our aim was to assess whether terminal QRS distortions on the initial electrocardiogram (ECG) is predictive for infarct size (IS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at 4months in anterior versus infarct locations. METHODS: Patient data of the HEBE, GIPS III and MAST, were pooled. ECGs of 411 STEMI patients were classified as absence (Grade II) or presence (Grade III) of terminal QRS distortion according to Sclarovsky-Birnbaum grading. CMR was performed at approximately 4months and included IS and LVEF. RESULTS: Grade III ischemia was present in 142 of 411 (35%) patients and was more frequently observed with inferior STEMI (P=0.01). In the total cohort and in anterior STEMI, no difference in LVEF or IS was observed between the two Grades. Whereas, in inferior STEMI Grade III was associated with a larger IS (P<0.01) and also, a trend towards a lower LVEF was observed (P=0.09). CONCLUSION: In inferior STEMI, terminal QRS distortion on the initial ECG is associated with a larger IS at approximately 4months, and can be used to identify a high-risk population in the acute phase. Also, a Grade III was associated with a trend towards a lower LVEF.

Bioresorbable scaffolds: talking about a new interventional revolution [corrected].

After the introduction of coronary balloon angioplasty, bare-metal, and drug-eluting stents, fully bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) could be the fourth revolution in interventional cardiology. The BRS technology shares the advantages of metallic stents regarding acute gain and prevention of acute vessel occlusion by providing transient scaffolding, while potentially overcoming many of the safety concerns of drug-eluting stents. Furthermore, without a permanent metallic cage, the vessel could remodel favourably and atherosclerotic plaques could regress in the long-term. This attracted increased interest and several BRS have been developed. In this review we will describe all BRS which are thus far clinically evaluated and provide an overview of ongoing clinical studies. Although the technology seems to be very promising, more studies including patients with more complex lesions are needed to evaluate whether the BRS can be used in daily clinical practice and if it is indeed becoming a new interventional revolution.