The impact of oral antiplatelet responsiveness on the long-term prognosis after coronary stenting.

BACKGROUND: Decreased responsiveness to oral antiplatelet drug therapy has been associated with an adverse outcome after coronary stenting (CS), but more studies are needed. The purpose of the present study was to prospectively evaluate this issue. METHODS: A total of 612 consecutive patients with stable or unstable coronary artery disease who underwent CS after at least 12 hours of aspirin and clopidogrel loading were studied. The study population was divided into responders and nonresponders to oral antiplatelet therapy, according to the values of preprocedural Platelet Function Analyzer-100 (Dade Behring, Marburg, Germany) collagen epinephrine closure time (CEPI-CT). In particular, responders were considered as patients with a CEPI-CT > 193 seconds and nonresponders as those with a CEPI-CT < or = 193 seconds. The 1-year incidence of the composite of cardiac death and rehospitalization for nonfatal myocardial infarction was the prespecified primary study end point. RESULTS: At 1 year, 9.1% of patients reached the primary end point. Nonresponders to oral antiplatelet therapy were at significantly higher risk for the primary end point (18.7% vs 7.6%) than responders. Nonresponsiveness to oral antiplatelet therapy was a predictor of the primary end point by both univariate (hazard ratio 2.7, 95% CI 1.6-4.5, P < .001) and multivariate (hazard ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.6-3.8, P < .001) Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Based on the present data, preprocedural responsiveness to oral antiplatelet therapy, assessed by Platelet Function Analyzer-100 CEPI-CT, is an independent predictor of long-term outcome after CS.

Continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic ST monitoring and long-term prognosis after successful coronary stenting.

BACKGROUND: The possible long-term prognostic value of transient ST ischemic episodes detected by continuous multilead electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring after successful coronary stenting (CS) has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS: A total of 739 consecutive patients, who underwent a 24-hour, continuous 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) ST monitoring in the first day after successful CS, were studied. An ST ischemic episode was defined as a transient ST shift (depression or elevation) in any lead of > or = 0.10 mV compared with the reference ECG lasting for > or = 1 minute. RESULTS: The incidence of the composite of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and recurrent angina by the first year was 28.7%. Patients with > or = 3 (defined by receiver operating characteristics analysis) ST ischemic episodes, detected by continuous 12-lead ECG ST monitoring, were at significantly higher risk for the 1-year composite primary end point than those with either 1 and 2 (52.7% vs 25.7%, hazard ratio [HR] 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.7, P < .001) or no (52.7% vs 25%, HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-2.9, P < .001) ST ischemic episodes. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, the occurrence of > or = 3 ST ischemic episodes in the first postprocedural day was independently associated with a significant increased risk of the 1-year composite primary end point (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-3.9, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that continuous 12-lead ECG ST monitoring in the first day after successful CS may serve as an affordable tool for the identification of patients with an increased risk of fatal or nonfatal ischemic complication during the first year after the procedure.

Preprocedural plasma C-reactive protein levels, postprocedural creatine kinase-MB release, and long-term prognosis after successful coronary stenting (four-year results from the GENERATION study).

Increased creatine kinase-MB isoenzymes after coronary stenting are common, and many studies have suggested an association of this increase with an adverse long-term prognosis. How such postprocedural creatine kinase-MB release affects long-term prognosis remains unclear. Whether any actual causal relation exists remains unanswered.

Serologic markers of persistent Chlamydia pneumonia infection and long-term prognosis after successful coronary stenting.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown an incremental role of inflammation in late prognosis following coronary stenting (CS). In particular, high preprocedural levels of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) have been related to increased hazard of late ischemic complications. Persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) infection, detected by positive IgA anti-Cp titers, may be associated with this inflammatory process and portend a high risk of late adverse prognosis after CS. METHODS: A total of 483 consecutive patients with either stable or unstable coronary syndromes were followed-up for 1 year after successful CS. The composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, rehospitalization for rest-unstable angina, and exertional angina, whichever occurred first, was the clinical end point. Additionally, the rate of in-stent restenosis and progression of coronary artery disease during this period were evaluated. Anti-Cp titers and plasma CRP levels were measured before the procedure. RESULTS: Positive immunoglobulin A (IgA), but not positive immunoglobulin G (IgG), titers were significantly associated with high plasma CRP levels in patients with unstable coronary syndromes (P =.005), but not in those with stable angina (P =.7). Moreover, positive IgA titers were significantly related to increased risk of both the composite clinical end point (P =.04) and progression of coronary artery disease (P <.001) in patients with unstable coronary syndromes but not in those with stable angina. Neither positive IgA nor positive IgG titers were associated with the rate of in-stent restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent Cp infection may drive an inflammatory response in the coronary vasculature and portends an adverse late outcome after CS in patients with unstable coronary syndromes.

Degree of activity at the onset of myocardial infarction and thrombolysis outcome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship between the degree of physical activity at the onset of myocardial infarction and thrombolysis outcome. METHODS: A total of 351 consecutive patients, who underwent thrombolysis due to ST elevation acute myocardial infarction, were prospectively studied. Patients were classified into three groups according to a generally accepted scale: group I patients had experienced symptoms during exertion, group II when sitting and group III during sleep or when reclining. RESULTS: There was a significantly increased chance of either intravenous thrombolysis effectiveness or cardiac survival probability with increasing physical activity at the onset of myocardial infarction. In particular, group I patients had a significantly higher incidence of complete ST-segment resolution (P<0.001 for both II vs. I and III vs. I groups) or TIMI 3 flow in the infarct-related artery (II vs. I: P=0.002, and III vs. I: P<0.001) and less compromised left ventricular function (P<0.001 for both II vs. I and III vs. I) by both univariate and multivariate analysis. Moreover, although the degree of physical activity was associated with lower in-hospital (II vs. I: P=0.048, and III vs. I: P=0.01), and cardiac mortality at 39 months (II vs. I: P=0.002, and III vs. I: P<0.001) by univariate analysis, this did not hold true by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the degree of physical activity at the onset of myocardial infarction may be positively associated with acute success of intravenous thrombolysis and this may favorably influence short- and long-term cardiac survival.

C-reactive protein and rapidly progressive coronary artery disease--is there any relation?

BACKGROUND: High plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels have been associated with an unfavorable outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and a direct participation of CRP in the atherosclerotic process has been postulated. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship of high plasma CRP levels with the rapid progression of coronary atherosclerosis (RPCAD). METHODS: In all, 194 patients who were readmitted and underwent repeat coronary angiography because of recurrence of symptoms following successful percutaneous coronary intervention were studied. Median angiographic follow-up time was 6 months. Rapid progression CAD was defined as the presence of a new lesion, > 25% in luminal diameter stenosis, in a previously nondiseased vessel, or deterioration of a known, nontreated lesion by at least 25%. RESULTS: By multivariate analysis, patients with high plasma CRP levels upon first admission were at higher risk of RPCAD. In particular, odds ration (OR) = 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-3.6; p value = 0.02 in patients with CRP = 0.5-2 mg/dl versus patients with CRP < 0.5 mg/dl, and OR = 7.1; 95% CI = 3.8-9.5; p value < 0.001 in patients with CRP > 2 mg/dl versus patients with CRP < 0.5 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: Increased plasma CRP levels could possibly identify patients at high risk for the development of RPCAD.

C-reactive protein levels on admission are associated with response to thrombolysis and prognosis after ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown the independent association of high plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with an adverse prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, the possible association of plasma CRP levels with response to thrombolysis and short- and long-term cardiac mortality has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate these possible associations. METHODS: Three hundred nineteen consecutive patients who received intravenous thrombolysis because of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction were prospectively studied. Patients were classified according to tertiles of plasma CRP levels on admission. RESULTS: Patients at the top tertile had a significantly lower incidence of complete ST-segment resolution (third vs first, P <.001, third vs second, P =.009) or Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow in the infraction-related artery (third vs first, P <.001, third vs second, P =.02), more compromised left ventricular function (third vs first, P =.02, second vs third, P =.04), greater inhospital mortality (third vs first, P =.03, third vs second, P =.06), and greater 3-year cardiac mortality (third vs first, P =.01, third vs second, P =.07). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma levels of CRP on admission may be a predictor of reperfusion failure and of short- and long-term prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction.

The impact of plasma levels of C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a) and homocysteine on the long-term prognosis after successful coronary stenting: The Global Evaluation of New Events and Restenosis After Stent Implantation Study.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of high plasma levels of either C-reactive protein (CRP), lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]) or total homocysteine (tHCY) with the long-term prognosis after successful coronary stenting (CS). BACKGROUND: High plasma levels of either CRP, Lp(a) or tHCY may have an impact in coronary artery disease. However, long-term prospective data after coronary stenting (CS) are limited. METHODS: Four-hundred and eighty-three consecutive patients with either stable or unstable coronary syndromes were followed for up to three years after successful CS. The composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction or rehospitalization for rest unstable angina, whichever occurred first, was the prespecified primary end point. Moreover, the one-year incidence of clinical recurrence of symptoms, in-stent restenosis (ISR) and progression of atherosclerosis to a significant lesion (PTSL) were additionally evaluated. PTSL was defined as an increase by at least 25% in the luminal diameter stenosis of a known nonsignificant lesion (or=70% luminal diameter stenosis). RESULTS: By the end of the follow-up, high plasma levels of either CRP or Lp(a) but not tHCY were independently associated with the primary end point. In particular, CRP >or=0.68 mg/dl (p < 0.001) or Lp(a) >or=25 mg/dl (p = 0.003) conferred a significantly increased risk. By 1 year, a CRP >or=0.68 mg/dl conferred a significantly increased risk for clinical recurrence of symptoms (p < 0.001) or PTSL (p < 0.001). None of the studied biochemical markers was related to ISR. CONCLUSIONS: High plasma levels of either CRP or Lp(a) but not tHCY may be associated with a higher incidence of late adverse events after successful CS. PTSL in vessels not previously intervened upon may play a significant role in the underlying pathophysiology as opposed to ISR.

C-reactive protein and multiple complex coronary artery plaques in patients with primary unstable angina.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with the presence of angiographically multiple complex lesions (CLs) in patients with primary unstable angina (PUA). For the purpose of this study, 228 consecutive patients with PUA who underwent in-hospital catheterization were evaluated. Plasma CRP levels were measured upon patients' admission. Coronary plaques were classified as CL or non-CL according to Ambrose's criteria. There were 100 (43.9%) patients with no or one CL (/=2). Tertiles of plasma CRP levels upon admission were significantly associated with the number of CLs on angiographic studies. In particular there was a significant gradual increase in either the number of CLs, or the presence of apparently thrombus-containing CLs with increasing of CRP tertiles. By multivariate analysis CRP was independently associated with the presence of either multiple CLs (R.R.=1.8, 95%CI=1.5-2.2, P<0.001), or angiographically apparent thrombus-containing CLs (R.R.=1.4, 95%CI=1.2-1.7, P=0.03).High plasma levels of CRP may reflect a multifocal activation of the coronary tree in patients with PUA. This finding suggests a generalized inflammatory reaction throughout the coronary tree in these patients.