Visual or computer-based measurements: Which is important for the interpretation of an athlete's electrocardiography?

OBJECTIVE: Preparticipation screening of athletes by electrocardiography is the most crucial step in determining sudden cardiac death risk factors. Several electrocardiography interpretation software programs have been developed for physicians practicing in this field. Our study aimed to assess cardiopoint sudden death screening module by comparing its findings with two cardiologists using Seattle and International criteria. METHODS: A total of 303 licensed national athletes (37% females) were enrolled. electrocardiographies were examined by the cardiopoint sudden death screening module using Seattle criteria and cardiologists. The consistency between cardiologists and software was compared, and the confidence assessment of the module was tested. RESULTS: With regard to Seattle criteria, moderate consistency was found between the cardiopoint sudden death screening module and the 1st (κ=0.41) and 2nd cardiologist (κ=0.59). Consistency between two cardiologists was moderate (κ=0.55). When we applied International criteria, there was moderate consistency between the module and the 1st cardiologist (κ=0.42), and good consistency between the module and the 2nd cardiologist (κ=0.63). Consistency between the two cardiologists was good (κ=0.62). CONCLUSION: The cardiopoint sudden death screening module had similar agreement with cardiologists based on both criteria. However, the software needs to be updated according to International criteria. Using computer-based measurements for preparticipation screening will help to save time and provide standardization of electrocardiography interpretation.

Visual or computer-based measurements: Which is important for the interpretation of an athlete's electrocardiography?

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Preparticipation screening of athletes by electrocardiography is the most crucial step in determining sudden cardiac death risk factors. Several electrocardiography interpretation software programs have been developed for physicians practicing in this field. Our study aimed to assess cardiopoint sudden death screening module by comparing its findings with two cardiologists using Seattle and International criteria. METHODS: A total of 303 licensed national athletes (37% females) were enrolled. electrocardiographies were examined by the cardiopoint sudden death screening module using Seattle criteria and cardiologists. The consistency between cardiologists and software was compared, and the confidence assessment of the module was tested. RESULTS: With regard to Seattle criteria, moderate consistency was found between the cardiopoint sudden death screening module and the 1st (κ=0.41) and 2nd cardiologist (κ=0.59). Consistency between two cardiologists was moderate (κ=0.55). When we applied International criteria, there was moderate consistency between the module and the 1st cardiologist (κ=0.42), and good consistency between the module and the 2nd cardiologist (κ=0.63). Consistency between the two cardiologists was good (κ=0.62). CONCLUSION: The cardiopoint sudden death screening module had similar agreement with cardiologists based on both criteria. However, the software needs to be updated according to International criteria. Using computer-based measurements for preparticipation screening will help to save time and provide standardization of electrocardiography interpretation.

Determination of the Fear of COVID-19 and the Quality of Life of Patients With Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implants During the Pandemic.

This study aimed to determine the fear of COVID-19 and the quality of life of patients with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) during the pandemic. This descriptive cross-sectional study included 132 TAVI patients. Data were collected using a patient information form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D). The mean FCV-19S score of the patients was 17.37 ± 6.12. The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.56 ± 0.37 and the mean VAS score was 65.5 ± 11.5. As per the dimensions of the EQ-5D index, 75% of the patients had mobility problems. According to the logistic regression analysis results, mobility was the most affected parameter, as demonstrated by the worsening in symptoms during the pandemic (odds ratio: 7.370, 95% CI [2.183, 24.881]). The patients with TAVI had a moderate level of fear associated with COVID-19, and the pandemic negatively affected their quality of life.

Evaluation of structural valve deterioration and bioprosthetic valve failure utilizing the new European consensus definition in patients undergoing TAVI with first-generation devices: Outcomes beyond 5 years from a single center in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The long-term durability of transcatheter aortic bioprosthetic valves continues to be a major concern. Standardized criteria of the structural valve deterioration (SVD) and bioprosthetic valve failure (BVF) have recently been defined. Limited studies have evaluated the long-term durability of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) according to these new definitions. We aim to analyze the durability of TAVI beyond 5 years and to report the frequency of SVD and BVF. METHODS: A total of 89 patients who had undergone TAVI and had theoretically completed at least 5 years after the procedure were included. Either a Medtronic CoreValve or an Edwards SAPIEN XT valve were implanted in the patients. New standardized definitions were used to evaluate SVD and BVF. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 78.70±6.95 years. SVD occured in 4 (4.5%) patients during 6 years of follow-up. Severe SVD was observed in 2 patients (2.2%), and these patients had the New York Heart Association class II symptoms. Both patients with severe SVD also met the criteria of BVF. Moderate SVD was observed in 2 patients (2.2%), and these patients had no valve-related symptoms. Of the 4 SVD cases, 2 were associated with increased mean transaortic gradients, whereas the remaining 2 cases were associated with intraprosthetic aortic regurgitation. All patients with SVD are still alive, and none of them have required aortic valve reintervention. CONCLUSION: Although first-generation TAVI devices were used, we determined the low rate of SVD and BVF at the 6-year follow-up. It may be suggested that there is no major concern associated with TAVI even with first-generation devices regarding long-term durability.

Post transcatheter aortic valve replacement ejection fraction response is predictor of survival among patients with whole range of systolic dysfunction.

AIMS: The objective of this study is to assess the prognostic effects of T ranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on the patients with different degrees of left ventricular systolic (LVS) function and severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Also examines the prognostic association of LV remodelling after TAVR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients stratified into four subgroups with respect to baseline LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (LVEF > 25%, LVEF 25%-40%, LVEF 41%-49% and LVEF ≥ 50%). We compared the baseline characteristics and temporal changes in echocardiographic parameters of the patients after TAVR, and determined all-cause mortality (ACM) in a follow-up period of mean 20.7 ± 15.8 months (up to 84). There were 495 patients at 8 centres. ACM was similar in all groups (28.1%, 29.5%, 22.5% and 24.1% respectively; p = .44). Immediately after TAVR, there was an improvement in LVEF (from 38.7 ± 9.4 to 44.9% ± 10.9%, p < .001). The percent change in LVEF (pDelta-EF) immediately after TAVR was more prominent in the patients with LVEF < 25% (48.1 ± 49.6, 21.9 ± 29.6), (8.4% ± 15.2%) and (2.1 ± 7)) (p < .01). Importantly, a 12% increase in absolute Delta-EF was observed in patients with LVEF< 25% with 100% sensitivity and 42.5% specificity for the prediction of ACM. CONCLUSION: This study shows that TAVR is beneficial in the whole range of LVS function, irrespective of the baseline EF. Early recovery in LVEF after TAVR is critical for survival, however, it seems to be more eye catching in the patients with advanced heart failure with reduced EF.

New risk factors in determining long­term mortality in patients undergoing TAVI: can the conventional risk scores be used as a long­term mortality predictor?

BACKGROUND: Surgical risk in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is determined by conventional scoring systems. However, these risk scores were developed to predict surgical mortality. Due to their insufficient predictive ability in patients after TAVI, novel risk scores are needed to predict long­term mortality in this population. AIMS: The study aimed to investigate the value of conventional risk scores in predicting long­term mortality. Additionally, the impact of laboratory parameters on long­term mortality was evaluated. METHODS: Our study included 121 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI. RESULTS: The mean (SD) logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), EuroSCORE II, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk score were 27.4 (9.7), 7.9 (4.6), and 4.6 (2.4), respectively. In­hospital mortality rate was 1.7%. None of the risk scoring systems predicted in­hospital mortality correctly. The STS score corresponded with the mortality rate of approximately 2 months, EuroSCORE II, with 6 months, and logistic EuroSCORE, with 30 months. Male gender (odds ratio [OR], 5.668; 95% CI, 1.055­30.446; P = 0.04) and low albumin levels before TAVI (OR, 0.109; 95% CI, 0.018­0.654; P = 0.02) were found to be the independent predictors of long­term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Although all conventional risk scores overestimated in­hospital mortality, the STS risk score predicted 2­month, EuroSCORE II, 6­month, and logistic EuroSCORE, 30­month mortality. The independent predictors of long­term mortality were male gender and low blood albumin levels before the TAVI procedure.

The role of baseline and post-procedural frontal plane QRS-T angles for cardiac risk assessment in patients with acute STEMI.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, no study so far investigated the importance of post-procedural frontal QRS-T angle f(QRS-T) in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of our study was to investigate the role of baseline and post-procedural f(QRS-T) angles for determining high risk STEMI patients, and the success of reperfusion. METHODS: A total of 248 patients with first acute STEMI that underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) or thrombolytic therapy (TT) between 2013 and 2014 were included in this study. Baseline f(QRS-T) angle was defined as the angle which measured from the first ECG at the time of hospital admission. Post-procedural (QRS-T) angle was defined according to the treatment strategy as follows: the angle which measured from the post-PCI ECG in patients treated with pPCI; the angle which measured from the ECG taken 90 min after onset of therapy in patients treated with TT. RESULTS: The baseline (101.9° ± 48.0 vs. 72.1° ± 49.1, p = 0.014) and post-procedural f(QRS-T) angles (95.7° ± 48.1 vs. 58.1° ± 47.1, p = 0.002) were significantly higher in patients who developed in-hospital mortality than the patients who did not develop in-hospital mortality. Also, f(QRS-T) angle measured at 90 min was significantly lower in patients with successful thrombolysis group compared to failed thrombolysis group (53.2° ± 42.8 vs. 77.3° ± 52.9, p = 0.033), whereas baseline f(QRS-T) angle was similar between two groups (78.6° ± 53.4 vs. 78.9° ± 54.0, p = 0.976). Multivariate analysis showed that post-procedural f(QRS-T) angle ≥89.6° (odds ratio: 3.541, 95% confidence interval: 1.235-10.154, p = 0.019), but not baseline f(QRS-T) angle, was independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: f(QRS-T) angle may be used as a beneficial tool for determining high risk patients in acute STEMI. Unlike previous studies, we showed for the first time that that post-procedural f(QRS-T) can predict in-hospital mortality and TT failure.

The effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation on Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios, and Tp-e dispersion in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation using two types of bioprosthetic valves on novel ventricular repolarization markers including Tp-e, Tp-e/QT and Tpe/QTc ratios, and Tp-ed. METHODS: A total of 61 patients (17 males, 44 females; mean age 78.6±6.5 years; range 55 to 89 years) who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation with either a Medtronic CoreValve (n=40) or an Edwards SAPIEN XT valve (n=21) were retrospectively analyzed. The electrocardiographic parameters and left ventricular mass index were calculated prior to the procedure, on postoperative Day 1, and at three months after the procedure. RESULTS: The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios, Tp-ed, and left ventricular mass index significantly reduced at three months of the procedure, compared to baseline values (p<0.01, for all). Similar findings were observed for QT, QTc, and QT dispersion (p<0.01, for all). These changes were independent from the types of bioprosthetic valves used. Before the procedure, the left ventricular mass index was positively correlated with the Tp-e (r=0.350, p=0.007), Tp-e/QT (r=0.314, p=0.015) and Tp-e/QTc ratios (r=0.285, p=0.029). In the multivariate analysis, Tp-e interval was found to be independently associated with the left ventricular mass index (b=0.350, p=0.007). CONCLUSION: In the present study, the Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios, Tp-ed, and left ventricular mass index significantly reduced at three months after transcatheter aortic valve implantation indicating reverse left ventricular remodeling. The effects of two types of bioprosthetic valves on ventricular repolarization markers and left ventricular mass index were similar.

The prognostic value of the combined use of QRS distortion and fragmented QRS in patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: No study has investigated the prognostic importance of the combined use of QRS distortion and fragmented QRS (fQRS) for risk stratification in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic value of the combined use of QRS distortion and fQRS in patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). METHODS: A total of 454 patients with first STEMI who underwent pPCI were included in this study. Patients were categorized into three groups according to the presence of QRS distortion and fQRS on admission electrocardiography. Group I was defined as fQRS (-) and QRS distortion (-), group 2 was defined as fQRS (+) and QRS distortion (-), or fQRS (-) and QRS distortion (+), and group 3 was defined as both fQRS (+) and QRS distortion (+). RESULTS: Patients in group III had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality rate compared with patients in groups I and II. These patients also had lower left ventricular ejection fraction and ST resolution ratios, higher maximum troponin, and higher frequency of three-vessel disease. Multivariate analysis indicated that group III (OR: 8.84, 95% CI: 2.73-28.62, p<0.001) was an independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: The combined use of QRS distortion and fQRS provides additional prognostic value compared with the presence of QRS distortion or fQRS alone for early risk stratification in patients with STEMI treated with pPCI.

Single Derivation Fragmented QRS Can Predict Poor Prognosis in Successfully Revascularized Acute STEMI Patients / O QRS Fragmentado de Derivação Única Pode Predizer Mau Prognóstico em Pacientes STEMI Agudos com Revascularização

Abstract Background: QRS fragmentation (fQRS) is classically defined as the presence of slurred QRS morphology in at least two contiguous leads, and its prognostic importance has been shown in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, no study has investigated the significance of single lead fQRS (sl-fQRS) in surface electrocardiography (ECG). Objectives: To evaluate whether sl-fQRS is as valuable as classical fQRS in patients with acute STEMI who had successful revascularization with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods: We included 330 patients with a first STEMI who had been successfully revascularized with pPCI. The patient's electrocardiography was obtained in the first 48 hours, and the patients were divided into three groups according to the absence of fQRS (no-fQRS); fQRS presence in a single lead (sl-fQRS); and ≥2 leads with fQRS (classical fQRS). Results: In-hospital mortality was significantly higher both in patients with sl-fQRS and in patients with ≥ 2 leads with fQRS compared to patients with no-fQRS. In ROC curve analysis, ≥ 1 leads with fQRS yielded a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 57.4% for the prediction of in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that sl-fQRS is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR: 3.989, 95% CI: 1.237-12.869, p = 0.021). Conclusions: Although the concept of at least two derivations is mentioned for the classical definition of fQRS, our study showed that fQRS in only one lead is also associated with poor outcomes. Therefore, ≥1 leads with fQRS can be useful when describing the patients under high cardiac risk in acute STEMI.

Resumo Fundamento: A fragmentação do QRS (fQRS) é classicamente definida como a presença de morfologia empastada do QRS em pelo menos duas derivações contíguas e sua importância prognóstica tem sido demonstrada no infarto do miocárdio com elevação do ST (STEMI). No entanto, nenhum estudo investigou a significância do fQRS de derivação única (sl-fQRS) no eletrocardiograma (ECG). Objetivos: Avaliar se o sl-fQRS é tão valioso quanto o fQRS clássico em pacientes com STEMI aguda que tiveram sucesso na revascularização com intervenção coronariana percutânea primária (ICPp). Métodos: Incluímos 330 pacientes com um primeiro STEMI que tinham sido revascularizados com sucesso com ICPp. O eletrocardiograma do paciente foi obtido nas primeiras 48 horas, e os pacientes foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com a ausência de fQRS (não-fQRS); presença de fQRS numa única derivação (sl-fQRS); e ≥ 2 derivações com fQRS (fQRS clássico). Resultados: A mortalidade intrahospitalar foi significativamente maior tanto em pacientes com sl-fQRS como em pacientes com ≥ 2 derivações com fQRS em comparação com pacientes com não-fQRS. Na análise da curva ROC, ≥ 1 derivação com fQRS produziu uma sensibilidade de 75% e especificidade de 57,4% para a predição de mortalidade intrahospitalar. A análise multivariada mostrou que sl-fQRS é um preditor independente de mortalidade intrahospitalar (OR: 3,989, IC 95%: 1,237-12,869, p = 0,021). Conclusões: Embora o conceito de pelo menos duas derivações seja mencionado para a definição clássica de fQRS, nosso estudo mostrou que fQRS em apenas uma derivação também está associado com maus resultados. Portanto, ≥ 1 derivação com fQRS pode ser útil ao descrever os pacientes sob risco cardíaco alto em STEMI agudo.

Single Derivation Fragmented QRS Can Predict Poor Prognosis in Successfully Revascularized Acute STEMI Patients.

BACKGROUND: QRS fragmentation (fQRS) is classically defined as the presence of slurred QRS morphology in at least two contiguous leads, and its prognostic importance has been shown in ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, no study has investigated the significance of single lead fQRS (sl-fQRS) in surface electrocardiography (ECG). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether sl-fQRS is as valuable as classical fQRS in patients with acute STEMI who had successful revascularization with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). METHODS: We included 330 patients with a first STEMI who had been successfully revascularized with pPCI. The patient's electrocardiography was obtained in the first 48 hours, and the patients were divided into three groups according to the absence of fQRS (no-fQRS); fQRS presence in a single lead (sl-fQRS); and ≥2 leads with fQRS (classical fQRS). RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was significantly higher both in patients with sl-fQRS and in patients with ≥ 2 leads with fQRS compared to patients with no-fQRS. In ROC curve analysis, ≥ 1 leads with fQRS yielded a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 57.4% for the prediction of in-hospital mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that sl-fQRS is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR: 3.989, 95% CI: 1.237-12.869, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Although the concept of at least two derivations is mentioned for the classical definition of fQRS, our study showed that fQRS in only one lead is also associated with poor outcomes. Therefore, ≥1 leads with fQRS can be useful when describing the patients under high cardiac risk in acute STEMI.

The Relationship between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and fragmented QRS in acute STEMI patients treated with primary PCI.

BACKGROUND: No study so far investigated fragmented QRS (fQRS) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) together in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between NLR and fQRS, and determine the prognostic significance of the combined use of these two parameters in STEMI. METHODS: We included 368 patients with first acute STEMI who successfully revascularized with primary percutaneous coronary intervention. RESULTS: Patients with fQRS had significantly higher NLR, and in-hospital mortality rate compared to patients with no-fQRS. The best cut-off value of NLR to predict mortality was 5.47. Patients with NLR≥5.47 had a higher frequency of fQRS and in-hospital mortality rate. Multivariate analysis showed that NLR was an independent predictor of the presence of fQRS (OR: 1.095, 95% CI: 1.039-1.153, P=0.001). When patients were stratified by fQRS and cut-off value of NLR, in-hospital mortality gradually increased (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: NLR is independently associated with the presence of fQRS in STEMI patients. Combined use of both parameters provides additional prognostic contribution for identifying patients at higher cardiac risk.

Long-term assessment of coronary care unit patient profile and outcomes: analyses of the 12-years patient records.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the patient profile, treatment, and outcomes of a coronary care unit (CCU) by retrospective screening of 12-year patient records. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 13,463 patients admitted to the CCU of a tertiary referral hospital between 1 January 1997 and 30 June 2008 were collected. The patients were assessed with respect to demographics, admission diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 61 ± 13 years (66.7%, male). While the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) accounted for 65%, the rate of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was 43.4%. Thrombolytic therapy was administered to 48.7% of the patients with STEMI. Systolic heart failure was the most frequent disease (11.9%) among the non-ACS diagnoses. The mortality rate of the CCU was 12.7% on average; it increased gradually after 2005 when the CCU became a general intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: This study is one of the largest comprehensive analyses of patient profile and outcomes of a CCU. Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac emergencies, the mortality rate of the CCU was high. Serving as a general intensive care unit, the absence of a coronary angiography laboratory and lower use of thrombolytic therapy for STEMI might be responsible factors.

Echocardiographic outcomes of self-expandable CoreValve versus balloon-expandable Edwards SAPIEN XT valves: the comparison of two bioprosthesis implanted in a single centre.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with self-expandable Medtronic CoreValve (MCV; Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) or balloon-expandable Edwards SAPIEN XT valve (ESV; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) has been widely used for treatment of high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). There is limited data comparing the long-term hemodynamic performance of these two valves. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the short and long-term hemodynamic performance of TAVI with either MCV or ESV. A total of 78 patients who underwent TAVI in our center between June 01, 2012 and January 01, 2014 were enrolled in this retrospective study. For each of the patients we recorded the preprocedural echocardiographic data as well as the post-TAVI echocardiographic outcomes at day one, 6 months and 1 year. The MCV group had lower transaortic gradients than the ESV group, with respect to both maximum (13.4 ± 5.8 vs 18.7 ± 8.1 mmHg, p = 0.001) and mean values (6.5 ± 3.2 vs 9.4 ± 4.3 mmHg, p < 0.001) at post-TAVI day one. These values continued to be significantly lower in the MCV group during post-TAVI 6 months (p < 0.001) and post-TAVI 1 year follow-up (p < 0.05). A paravalvular leak (PVL, grade ≥2) was observed in 6.4 % of patients after TAVI; however, this value decreased over time, and there was no significant difference between the MVC and ESV groups (8.2 vs 3.4 %, p = 0.646). The MCV bioprosthesis was associated with lower transaortic gradients than those of the ESV throughout 1 year of follow-up. The incidence of PVL grade ≥2 in MCV and ESV was comparable.

TAVI in a Patient with Single Coronary Artery: The Choice of Self-Expandable Valve may be Reasonable.

BACKGROUND: Single coronary artery is a rare congenital coronary artery anomaly with the incidence of approximately 0.03%-0.05%. Its coexistence with severe aortic stenosis (AS) is even rarer. Patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have a risk of coronary obstruction (1%) which will be more lethal when the origin of the coronary artery is single. CASE REPORT: An 81 year-old female was referred to our institution for severe AS. Her coronary angiography revealed a single coronary artery originating from right sinus of valsalva. Since the patient had a high risk for aortic valve surgery, the cardiac team decided to perform transfemoral TAVI with a self-expandable valve. CONCLUSION: We presented a successful case of TAVI with Medtronic CoreValve (Medtronic; Minnesota, USA) in a patient with single coronary artery after discussing the base of our strategy for preferring self-expandable valve. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case of CoreValve implantation in such a patient in the literature. We suggest that the self-expandable valve may be the first choice in these patients because of its recapturable design.

The Importance of the Number of Leads with fQRS for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Acute STEMI Patients Treated with Primary PCI.

BACKGROUND: Fragmented QRS (fQRS) has been shown to be related to increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, limited data are available for evaluating the relationship between the number of leads with fQRS and in-hospital all-cause mortality in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of our study is to investigate the prognostic importance of the number of leads with fQRS in acute STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Two hundred ten eligible patients with acute STEMI that underwent primary PCI were enrolled in this study. Each patient's 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) taken in the first 48 hours was analyzed and the number of leads with fQRS were recorded. RESULTS: The number derivations with fQRS were significantly higher in patients who developed in-hospital mortality than the patients who did not develop in-hospital mortality (2.6 ± 2.6 vs 0.9 ± 1.3; P = 0.002). Also, patients with ≥3 leads with fQRS had higher rate of in-hospital all-cause mortality (23.5% vs 7.4%, P = 0.009), higher frequency of Q wave (67.6% vs 36.9%, P = 0.001), and higher frequency of fQRS with Q wave (67.6% vs 15.9%, P < 0.001) than those patients with <3 leads with fQRS. By a multivariate regression analysis, the number of leads with fQRS was found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital all-cause mortality (odds ratio: 1.415, 95% confidence interval: 1.049-1.909, P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The number of leads with fQRS on 12-lead ECG is an independent predictor of in-hospital all-cause mortality in patients with acute STEMI treated by primary PCI.

GuideLiner catheter application in complex coronary lesions: experience of two centers.

OBJECTIVE: GuideLiner catheter provides adequate back-up support and a coaxial guide engagement for stent delivery in complex coronary anatomies. In this study, we aimed to present one of the largest series of experience with GuideLiner catheter utilized for challenging percutaneous coronary interventions in two centers. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the coronary angiography records of 64 patients between January 1, 2012 and August 1, 2014 in whom conventional techniques failed for stent delivery and 5-in-6 Fr GuideLiner catheter was used for this purpose. The data were assessed in terms of the lesion characteristics, procedural success, and complications. Descriptive statistics and frequencies were used in statistical analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 69.8±10.0 years. Femoral approach was employed in all cases. Lesions were mostly (90.6%) class B2 or C according to the AHA/ACC lesion classification. The GuideLiner catheter was mainly used to increase back-up of the guide catheter (85.9%), and in 95.3% of all cases, the procedure was successful. The mean depth of the GuideLiner catheter intubation was 30.3±21.6 mm. None of the patients had coronary dissection or major complications. CONCLUSION: In this study, we presented a large registry of two centers used the GuideLiner catheter. The device effectively allowed stent delivery in challenging lesions, where conventional techniques have failed, without major complications.