Angiographic and electrocardiographic parameters of myocardial reperfusion in angioplasty of patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction loaded with ticagrelor or clopidogrel (MICAMI-TICLO trial).

INTRODUCTION: Ticagrelor has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with ACS. However, the effects of this drug on parameters of microvascular flow in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have not been completely evaluated. METHODS: Ninety-two patients presenting with STEMI where randomized to a loading dose of clopidogrel (600 mg) or ticagrelor (180 mg) before undergoing primary angioplasty. We assessed angiographic and electrocardiographic parameters of myocardial reperfusion. Blinded operators calculated angiographic corrected TIMI Frame count (cTFC) and myocardial blush grade (MBG) before and after stent implantation. ST segment resolution was also measured in all patients. Primary endpoint was cTFC after PCI. Secondary endpoints were cTFC prior to PCI, TIMI flow grade, MBG and the percentage of ST resolution. RESULTS: Of the 92 randomized patients, 70 patients were analyzed. Mean age of patients was 58.8±10 years. Patients presented with a mean ischemic time of 4.4±2.6 hours. There were no significant differences in the time between loading dose and stent deployment (35.2±36.4 in ticagrelor and 42.7±29.5 min in clopidogrel, p=0.36). cTFC before angioplasty was significantly lower in ticagrelor than in clopidogrel (81.1±29.4 vs. 95.1±17.5 frames respectively, p=0.01). After angioplasty there were no differences between ticagrelor and clopidogrel in cTFC (24.6±9.3 vs. 27.0±13.4 frames respectively, p=0.62); MBG grade 3 was present in 76.4 vs. 69.4% of patients, respectively (p=0.41). The percentage of ST resolution did not show any differences between groups (84.8±23.4 in ticagrelor vs. 70.8±33.7 in clopidogrel, p=0.36). CONCLUSION: Compared with clopidogrel, ticagrelor loading in patients presenting with STEMI is not associated with an improvement of angiographic and electrocardiographic parameters of myocardial reperfusion after angioplasty.

Infarto agudo al miocardio en pacientes menores de 40 años: características clínicas, angiográficas y alternativas terapéuticas / Acute myocardial infarction in patients under 40 years of age: clinical and angiographic characteristics: therapeutic options

Objetivos: Analizar comparativamente las características clínicas y angiográficas, y el tratamiento utilizado, en pacientes jóvenes cursando un infarto agudo del miocardio (IAM) con supradesnivel del segmento ST (SDST). Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo de los pacientes que se presentaron con un IAM con SDST y fueron sometidos a angiografía coronaria durante el período entre enero de 2009 y diciembre de 2011. Se identificó a los pacientes menores de 40 años y se registraron sus características clínicas y angiográficas, las terapias utilizadas y sus resultados a mediano plazo. Estos datos fueron comparados con los pacientes de 40 o más años atendidos durante el mismo período. Resultados: De 613 IAM con SDST, 40 (6,5 por ciento) casos correspondieron a menores de 40 años (edad promedio 36,6 años). De éstos, 7 (17,5 por ciento) fueron mujeres, 32 (80 por ciento) fumadores y 17 (42,5 por ciento) referían uso de cocaína. La mayoría presentó alta carga trombótica (TIMI Thrombus Grade 4/5 en 87,5 por ciento), pero con enfermedad de baja severidad anatómica (Syntax Score promedio 13,1 (DE 5,8)). Treinta (75 por ciento) pacientes recibieron an-gioplastía con stent y 21 (52,5por ciento) aspiración de trombos. El seguimiento tardío reveló 5 (12,5 por ciento) eventos mayores. Comparado con los pacientes mayores de 40 años, la mortalidad al año fue marcadamente inferior: 2,5 por ciento versus 12 por ciento, p<0,01. Conclusiones: En menores de 40 años con IAM con SDST, el tabaquismo, uso de cocaína, fueron los principales factores asociados. Aunque la enfermedad coronaria anatómica no fue severa, hubo una gran carga trombótica en la mayoría de los pacientes. Esto se asoció a escasos eventos cardiovasculares y una mortalidad menor a la de los pacientes mayores.

Aim: To analyze clinical and angiographic characteristics and the treatment provided to young patients admitted with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients with STEMI who were invasively studied from January 2009 through December 2011. Clinical and angiogra-phic data, as well as phone follow-ups and mortality registries were reviewed for each patient younger than 40 years old. These results were compared with those from STEMI patients who had 40 or more years of age during the same time period. Results: From 613 STEMI patients, 40 (6.5 percent) had less than 40 years (average age 36.6 years). Among these, 7 (17.5 percent) were females, 32 (80 percent) were active smokers and 17 (42.5 percent) recognized cocaine abuse. Whereas most patients presented with high thrombus content (TIMI Thrombus Grade 4/5 in 87.5 percent), the burden of atherosclerotic coronary disease was markedly low (average Syntax Score 13.1 (SD 5.8)). Coronary stents were used in 30 (75 percent) patients and thrombus aspiration in 21 (52.5 per cent). Late follow-up showed 5 (12.5 percent) major cardiovascular events. In comparison with older patients, 1-year mortality was significantly lower for young patients: 2.5 percent versus 12 per cent, p<0.01. Conclusions: Younger patients with STEMI frequently smoke and use cocaine. Although the burden of coronary disease was low, most patients had a high thrombus content. Cardiovascular events and mortality were lower compared to older patients.

Acceso por vía cubital como alternativa al acceso radial para diagnóstico e intervenciones coronarias: serie de 29 pacientes / The ulnar approach as an alternative to the radial access for coronary angiography and coronary interventions: a pilot study on 29 patients

Objetivo: Evaluar la seguridad y resultados de los procedimientos coronarios por vía cubital. Pacientes y Método: Se evaluó en forma retrospectiva todos los pacientes sometidos a procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos por vía cubital en el laboratorio de hemodinamica del hospital Dr. Sotero del Río entre el 29 de Enero del 2009 y el 31 de Agosto del 2010. Todos los pacientes fueron sometido a prueba de Allen birideccional antes del estudio y en todos se intentó el acceso radial como primera alternativa. Se registraron características tanto clínicas como del procedimiento. Todos los pacientes fueron seguidos clínicamente al alta y en forma telefónica. Resultados : De un total del 1937 procedimientos coronarios 29 fueron por vía cubital (1,49 por ciento). 12 pacientes fueron sometidos a angioplastía, 6 de ellas primaria, 17, 2 por ciento de los pacientes resultaron diabéticos, 51,7 por ciento hipertensos e igual porcentaje de mujeres. Todos los procedimientos fueron exitosos. No hubo complicaciones isquemicas ni hemorrágicas al momento del alta. No se registraron complicaciones clínicas en el seguimiento alejado a 6,5 meses promedio. Conclusión : El acceso por vía cubital con vaina 6 french es una alternativa segura y eficaz tanto para diagnostico angiográfico como para procedimientos terapéuticos, independiente del contexto clínico del paciente.

Aim: to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the ulnar percutaneous approach for cardiac catheterization as an alternative to the radial access in every day practice. Patients and Methods: a retrospective evaluation was performed in 29 patients undergoing a coronary angiography or intervention using the ulnar approach after a failed radial attempt, between January 2009 and August 2010. A 6 French sheath was used in all patients. Clinical and procedure related events were evaluated at discharge, at 30 days and in the month of August 2010. Results: the 29 patients constituted 1.5 percent of the total number of procedures performed in the corresponding time interval. 12 of the 29 were PTCAs, 6 of them in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. Diabetes was present in 17.2 percent, hypertension in 51.7 percent and 51.7 percent were women. The procedures ended without events in every patient. No vascular or hemorrhagic complications were observed during follow up. Conclusion: the ulnar approach can be safely used as an alternative to radial access for coronary angiography and intervention.