Short and medium chain acylcarnitines as markers of outcome in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Carnitine metabolism produces numerous molecular species of short-, medium-, and long-chain acylcarnitines, which play important roles in energy homeostasis and fatty acid transport in the myocardium. Given that disturbances in the carnitine metabolism are linked to cardiometabolic disease, we studied the relationship of circulating acylcarnitines with outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and evaluated differences in circulating levels of these metabolites between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. METHODS: Harnessing a prospective multicentre cohort study (SPUM-ACS; NCT01000701), we measured plasma levels of acylcarnitines, carnitine, and carnitine metabolites to assess their relationship with adjudicated major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, clinically indicated revascularization, or death of any cause. The SPUM-ACS study enrolled patients presenting with ACS to Swiss University Hospitals between 2009 and 2012. Acetylcarnitine, octanoylcarnitine, proprionylcarnitine, butyrylcarnitine, pentanoylcarnitine, hexanoylcarnitine, carnitine, γ-butyrobetaine, and trimethylamine N-oxide were measured in plasma using stable isotope dilution high-performance liquid chromatography with online electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: A total of 1683 patients with ACS were included in the study. All measured metabolites except γ-butyrobetaine and carnitine were higher in diabetic subject (n = 294) than in non-diabetic subjects (n = 1389). On univariate analysis, all metabolites, apart from octenoylcarnitine, were significantly associated with MACE at 1 year. After multivariable adjustment for established risk factors, acetylcarnitine remained an independent predictor of MACE at 1-year (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, adjusted hazard ratio 2.06; 95% confidence interval 1.12-3.80, P = 0.020). CONCLUSION: Circulating levels of acetylcarnitine independently predict residual cardiovascular risk in patients with ACS.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair-Beyond the EVEREST and COAPT Criteria.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) has emerged as a safe and effective alternative to conventional surgery in patients with primary and secondary mitral regurgitation, especially those at high surgical risk. This review summarises alternative indications for TMVr outside of the traditional criteria derived from the major randomised trials and focusses on less common mitral valve anatomies such as commissural prolapse and bileaflet prolapse, patients with mitral annuloplasty rings, as well as acutely unwell patients with papillary muscle rupture and/or cardiogenic shock. Specific technical challenges involved in treating such patient groups are summarised and described.

Inflammatory cell response following ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and its impact on cardiovascular outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory responses post STEMI may mediate major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). This is the first systematic review to map leukocyte response following a STEMI and its association with outcomes. METHODS: We systematically searched EMBASE and Medline for studies of STEMIs undergoing primary PCI. Eligible studies reported leukocytes or its subtype plus either 30-day and/or 1-year MACE. Random effects model for pooled proportions was used to estimate 30-day and 1-year mortality and MACE. Meta-regression was used to estimate the effect of leukocyte counts on cardiovascular outcomes. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's regression-based test. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019124991). RESULTS: Of the 3,813 studies meeting the preliminary search criteria, 24 cohort studies were eligible for inclusion, representing 19,074 persons [76.4% male (n = 14,539); mean age 61.6 years]. Leukocytes had a mean of 10.5x109 (SD 4.7) on admission and 11.1x109 (SD 3.3) at day one post STEMI. Neutrophils increased day one post STEMI, while lymphocytes decreased. There was limited data on other leukocyte subtypes and beyond day one. Estimated 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality were 6.5% (95% CI 4.8-8.2, p <0.001) and 9.7% (95% CI 5.6-13.8, p <0.001), while the estimated 30-day and 1-year MACE were 14.9% (95% CI 5.3-24.4, p < 0.001) and 15.2% (95% CI 7.2-23.2, p < 0.001). The meta-analysis was limited by a high degree of heterogeneity between studies. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the urgent need to better characterise inflammation post STEMI to identify mediators for the persistently high mortality and morbidity associated with STEMI.

The importance of anaesthesia in atrial fibrillation ablation: Comparing conscious sedation with general anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: General anaesthesia (GA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is often preferred over conscious sedation (CS) to minimize patient discomfort and reduce the risk of map disruption from patient movement but may pose an additional risk to some patients with significant comorbidity or poor cardiac function. METHODS: We extracted data for 300 patients who underwent AF ablation between the years 2017 and 2019 and compared the outcomes of AF ablation with CS and GA. RESULTS: Compared to the GA group, patients were younger in the CS group (63 versus 66 years, p = 0.02), had less persistent AF (34% versus 46%, p = 0.048) and the left atrial dimension was smaller (41 versus 45 mm, p = 0.01). More patients had cryoballoon ablation (CBA) than radiofrequency (RFA) ablation in the CS than the GA group (88% CB with CS and 56% RF with GA, p < 0.01), frequency of ASA score 3-4 (higher anaesthetic risk) was less for CS than for GA (45% versus 75%, p < 0.01), and procedural duration was shorter for patients who had CS (110 versus 139 min, p < 0.001). Of the patients receiving CS, 127/182 (70%) were planned for same day discharge (SDD) and this occurred in 120 (94%) of those patients. There were no significant differences in complication rates between the groups (5.1% in GA and 6% in CS, p = 0.8). AF type was the only significant predictor of freedom from AF recurrence on multivariate analysis (HR 0.33, 0.13-0.82, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: In this study, the use of CS compared with GA for AF ablation was associated with similar outcomes and complication rates.

Prevalence and survival associated with pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement: National echocardiography database of Australia study.

The specific prevalence and outcome of pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement (MVR) is not well documented. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and prognostic impact of pulmonary hypertension after MVR. In addition, we sought to determine the threshold of mortality risk according to echocardiography derived pulmonary pressures and those echocardiographic characteristics that are associated with increased mortality. Using the National Echocardiography Database of Australia, patients who had undergone MVR were identified with estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (eRVSP) assessed and linked to patient mortality during mean follow up of 1917 days. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to identify the most powerful predictors of mortality. A total of 10,994 patients who had undergone echocardiography following MVR (mean age 65.2 ± 16, 44.8% women) were studied (mean follow-up 1917 days). The prevalence of PH (defined as eRSVP ≥40 mmHg) was 64.1% (7042/10,994). Severe PH (eRVSP ≥60 mmHg) was seen in 42.3% (4671/10,994). Mortality in individuals with PH was greater than amongst individuals without PH (41.1% vs. 26.3%). Age, tricuspid regurgitation and left ventricular dysfunction were also associated with mortality. There is a high prevalence of PH after MVR which confers an adverse prognosis. Improved therapeutic approaches to mitral valve disease and the subsequent development of PH are essential.

Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients in Rural Australia: The MORACS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in rural settings involves thrombolysis followed by transfer to a percutaneous coronary intervention-capable hospital. The first step is accurate diagnosis via electrocardiography (ECG), but one-third of all STEMI incidents go unrecognized and hence untreated. Objective: To reduce missed diagnoses of STEMI. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cluster randomized clinical trial included 29 hospital emergency departments (EDs) in rural Australia with no emergency medicine specialists, which were randomized to usual care vs automatically triggered diagnostic support from the tertiary referral hospital (management of rural acute coronary syndromes [MORACS] intervention). Patients presenting with symptoms compatible with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) were eligible for inclusion. The study was conducted from December 2018 to April 2020. Data were analyzed in August 2021. Intervention: Triage of a patient with symptoms compatible with ACS triggered an automated notification to the tertiary hospital coronary care unit. The ECG and point-of-care troponin results were reviewed remotely and a phone call was made to the treating physician in the rural hospital to assist with diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Main Outcomes and Measures: The proportion of patients with missed STEMI diagnoses. Results: A total of 6249 patients were included in the study (mean [SD] age, 63.6 [12.2] years; 48% female). Of 7474 ED presentations with suspected ACS, STEMI accounted for 77 (2.0%) in usual care hospitals and 46 (1.3%) in MORACS hospitals. Missed diagnosis of STEMI occurred in 27 of 77 presentations (35%) in usual care hospitals and 0 of 46 (0%) in MORACS hospitals (P < .001). Of eligible patients, 48 of 75 (64%) in the usual care group and 36 of 36 (100%) in the MORACS group received primary reperfusion (P < .001). In the usual care group, 12-month mortality was 10.3% (n = 8) vs 6.5% (n = 3) in the MORACS group (relative risk, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.18-2.23). Patients with missed STEMI diagnoses had a mortality of 25.9% (n = 7) compared with 2.0% (n = 1) for those with accurately diagnosed STEMI (relative risk, 13.2; 95% CI, 1.71-102.00; P = .001). Overall, there were 6 patients who did not have STEMI as a final diagnosis; 5 had takotsubo cardiomyopathy and 1 had pericarditis. There was no difference between groups in the rate of alternative final diagnosis. Conclusion and Relevance: The findings indicate that MORACS diagnostic support service reduced the proportion of missed STEMI and improved the rates of primary reperfusion therapy. Accurate diagnosis of STEMI was associated with lower mortality. Trial Registration: anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12619000533190.

Towards personalized antithrombotic management with drugs and devices across the cardiovascular spectrum.

Intravascular thrombus formation and embolization are among the most frequent events leading to a number of cardiovascular conditions with high morbidity and mortality. The underlying causes are stasis of the circulating blood, genetic and acquired coagulation disorders, and reduced antithrombotic or prothrombotic properties of the vascular wall (Virchow's triad). In the venous system, intravascular thrombi can cause venous thrombosis and pulmonary and even peripheral embolism including ischaemic stroke [through a patent foramen ovale (PFO)]. Thrombi in the left atrium and its appendage or ventricle form in the context of atrial fibrillation and infarction, respectively. Furthermore, thrombi can form on native or prosthetic aortic valves, within the aorta (in particular at sites of ulcers, aortic dissection, and abdominal aneurysms), and in cerebral and peripheral arteries causing stroke and critical limb ischaemia, respectively. Finally, thrombotic occlusion may occur in arteries supplying vital organs such the heart, brain, kidney, and extremities. Thrombus formation and embolization can be managed with anticoagulants and devices depending on where they form and embolize and on patient characteristics. Vitamin K antagonists are preferred in patients with mechanical valves, while novel oral anticoagulants are first choice in most other cardiovascular conditions, in particular venous thromboembolism and atrial fibrillation. As anticoagulants are associated with a risk of bleeding, devices such as occluders of a PFO or the left atrial appendage are preferred in patients with an increased bleeding risk. Platelet inhibitors such as aspirin and/or P2Y12 antagonists are preferred in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease either alone or in combination depending on the clinical condition. A differential and personalized use of anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors, and devices is recommended and reviewed in this article.

Cardiac risk assessment with the Revised Cardiac Risk Index index before elective non-cardiac surgery: A retrospective audit from an Australian tertiary hospital.

Clinicians assessing cardiac risk as part of a comprehensive consultation before surgery can use an expanding set of tools, including predictive risk calculators, cardiac stress tests and measuring serum natriuretic peptides. The optimal assessment strategy is unclear, with conflicting international guidelines. We investigated the prognostic accuracy of the Revised Cardiac Risk Index for risk stratification and cardiac outcomes in patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery in a contemporary Australian cohort.We audited the records for 1465 consecutive patients 45 years and older presenting to the perioperative clinic for elective non-cardiac surgery in our tertiary hospital. We calculated individual Revised Cardiac Risk Index scores and documented any use of preoperative cardiac tests. The primary outcome was any major adverse cardiac events within 30 days of surgery, including myocardial infarction, pulmonary oedema, complete heart block or cardiac death.Myocardial perfusion imaging was the most common preoperative stress test (4.2%, 61/1465). There was no routine investigation of natriuretic peptide levels for cardiac risk assessment before surgery. Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 1.3% (18/1366) of patients who had surgery. The Revised Cardiac Risk Index score had modest prognostic accuracy for major cardiac complications, area under receiver operator curve 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.60 to 0.86. Stratifying major adverse cardiac events by the Revised Cardiac Risk Index scores 0, 1, 2 and 3 or greater corresponded to event rates of 0.6% (4/683), 0.8% (4/488), 4.1% (6/145) and 8.0% (4/50), respectively.The Revised Cardiac Risk Index had only modest predictive value in our single-centre experience. Patients with a revised cardiac risk index score of 2 or more had an elevated risk of early cardiac complications after elective non-cardiac surgery.

Association of individual aortic leaflet calcification on paravalvular regurgitation and conduction abnormalities with self-expanding trans-catheter aortic valve insertion.

BACKGROUND: Complication rates of paravalvular aortic regurgitation (PVR) and permanent pacemaker insertion remain high in patients undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve insertion for severe aortic stenosis. The spatial distribution of calcium between individual aortic valve leaflets, and its potential role in these complications is gaining interest. We aimed to assess the accuracy of individual aortic valve leaflet calcium quantification, and to determine its effect on the frequency of these complications. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 251 patients who underwent trans-catheter aortic valve insertion using the Evolut RTM valve. The off-line Terarecon software platform was used for Agatston scoring the short axis views. RESULTS: There was a correlation between the sum of the individual leaflet and the total aortic valve calcium score. There was a univariate association between an increase [per 100 Agatston unit (AU)] in both right coronary leaflet (RCL) and left coronary leaflet (LCL) calcium with the risk of PVR. There was an association between an increase in LCL calcium score (per 100 AU) and need for post-implantation balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV). There was no association between individual leaflet calcification on the risk of permanent pacemaker insertion. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the idea that a quantifiable and reproducible method of individual valve leaflet calcification score may serve as an independent risk factor for paravalvular regurgitation, beyond visual assessment of asymmetry. However, the same may not be true of spatial calcium distribution and permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI).

Effect of Outcome Measures on the Apparent Efficacy of Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Why "Success" is an Inappropriate Term.

INTRODUCTION: Different endpoint criteria, different durations of follow-up and the completeness of follow-up can dramatically affect the perceived benefits of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. METHODS: We defined three endpoints for recurrence of AF post ablation in a cohort of 200 patients with symptomatic AF, refractory to antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). A 'Strict Endpoint' where patients were considered to have a recurrence with any symptomatic or documented recurrence for ≥30 seconds with no blanking period, and off their AADs, a 'Liberal Endpoint' where only documented recurrences after the blanking period, either on or off AADs were counted, and a 'Patient-defined Outcome endpoint' which was the same as the Liberal endpoint but allowed for up to two recurrences and one repeat ablation or DCCV during follow-up. We also surveyed 50 patients on the waiting list for an AF ablation and asked them key questions regarding what they would consider to be a successful result for them. RESULTS: Freedom from recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) at 5 years was 62% for the Strict Endpoint, 73% for the Liberal Endpoint, and 80% for the Patient-defined Outcome endpoint (p<0.001). Of the 50 patients surveyed awaiting AF ablation, 70% said they would still consider the procedure a success if it required one repeat ablation or one DCCV (p=0.004), and 76% would be accepting of one or two recurrences during follow-up (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, the majority of patients still considered AF ablation a successful treatment if they had up to two recurrences of AF, one repeat procedure or one DCCV. Furthermore, a 'Patient-defined' definition of success lead to significantly different results in this AF ablation cohort when compared to conventionally used/guideline directed measures of success.

Management of refractory angina: an update.

Despite the use of anti-anginal drugs and/or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting, the proportion of patients with coronary artery disease who have daily or weekly angina ranges from 2% to 24%. Refractory angina refers to long-lasting symptoms (for >3 months) due to established reversible ischaemia, which cannot be controlled by escalating medical therapy with the use of 2nd- and 3rd-line pharmacological agents, bypass grafting, or stenting. While there is uncertain prognostic benefit, the treatment of refractory angina is important to improve the quality of life of the patients affected. This review focuses on conventional pharmacological approaches to treating refractory angina, including guideline directed drug combination and dosages. The symptomatic and prognostic impact of advanced and novel revascularization strategies such as chronic total occlusion PCI, transmyocardial laser revascularization, coronary sinus occlusion, radiation therapy for recurrent restenosis, and spinal cord stimulation are also covered and recommendations of the 2019 ESC Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Coronary Syndromes discussed. Finally, the potential clinical use of current angiogenetic and stem cell therapies in reducing ischaemia and/or pain is evaluated.

Impact of fast-food outlet density on incidence of myocardial infarction in the Hunter region.

BACKGROUND: There is an established association between fast-food consumption and metabolic diseases. Some studies also suggest that calorie-dense food promotes a proinflammatory response, which is itself linked with myocardial infarction (MI). Whether increased fast-food availability is a risk factor for MI remains unknown. AIM: To investigate the role of fast-food outlet density (FFD) as a novel environmental risk factor for MI in the Hunter region, New South Wales (NSW). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a database of all MI events between 1996 and 2013, extracted from the Hunter Cardiac and Stroke Outcomes unit. FFD was calculated for each local government area (LGA) of the Hunter region, allowing for a comparative analysis. Stratification by fast-food outlet data and LGA resulted in a total of 3070 cases. Weighted linear regression was used to investigate the role of FFD on incidence of MI in regional and rural Australia. RESULTS: FFD was positively correlated with rates of MI, remaining consistent in both single and multivariate predictor models adjusting for age, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, smoking status, diabetes and socioeconomic status (P < 0.001). An increase of one fast-food outlet corresponded with four additional cases of MI per 100 000 people per year (4.07, 95% confidence interval, 3.86-4.28). CONCLUSIONS: FFD was positively associated with incidence of MI in both rural and metropolitan areas of NSW. This relationship remained consistent after multivariate adjustment for standard cardiovascular risk factors, highlighting the importance of an individual's food environment as a potential contributor towards their health.

Ischaemic Heart Disease Mortality Increased With Weekend Admission: Results From a Large, Comprehensive Admission Cohort in Australia.

BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of the "weekend effect", whereby patient outcomes are significantly worse for those admitted to hospital on the weekend as compared to weekdays, is well-documented in systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the literature. We sought to assess the effect of the time of a patient's admission on outcomes across an entire cardiology admissions cohort and explore other factors that have been previously identified or proposed to influence these outcomes, including admissions out-of-hours, and patient transfers from other facilities. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving cardiology admissions at a large tertiary referral centre across a 6-year period from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2017. Outcomes were in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality rates as well as length-of-stay, and readmission rate. 14,078 patients admitted under a cardiologist across the 6-year period were identified, with 3,029 elective patients excluded. Patients were stratified into weekday (n=8,951) or weekend (n=2,098) categories. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality for weekend admissions was noted to be significantly higher compared to weekday admissions (adj OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.40-2.28; p<0.001). Mortality for weekend admissions was also higher at 30-days (adj OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.39-2.17; p<0.001) and at 1-year (adj OR 1.33 95% CI 1.14-1.55; p<0.001). Adjusted for diagnosis, there was a significant increase in in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality seen only for weekend admissions with the final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION: We have identified an association between weekend admissions and higher in-hospital, 30-day and 1-year mortality for the final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in our cardiology admissions data over an extended period of time, although confounders cannot be completely discounted. Any steps to reduce the weekend effect need to move to a system where weekend practices are not substantially different to a usual business day. The question of whether changes in organisation practice and the increased costs incurred would reduce mortality in this high-risk group needs to be addressed by further directed research.

Impact of malignancy on clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The impact of cancer on survival in patients with coronary artery disease has not been well defined. We designed the present study to explore the prevalence and prognostic influence of cancer in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: 2'132 patients with ACS were enrolled in the prospective, multicenter Special Program University Medicine ACS (SPUM-ACS) cohort. The primary endpoints of major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and death were independently adjudicated at 30-day and at one-year follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 2'132 ACS patients 7.74% (n = 165) had cancer. At 30-day, except for net adverse clinical events (NACE defined as MACCE plus major bleeding), outcomes did not differ significantly between the two groups. At one year, MACCE rate was higher in cancer than in non-cancer patients (21.8 vs. 12.2%, p < 0.001). Even after adjusting for covariates, one-year all-cause mortality was higher in cancer patients than in those without (30.3% vs. 11.9%; p < 0.0001) as was cardiovascular mortality (15.7% vs. 5.9%; p < 0.001) and revascularization (12.7% vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001). Net adverse clinical events were also higher in patients with cancer at one-year follow-up (33.9% vs. 19.8%, p < 0.001). A sub-analysis revealed that those with solid tumors, but not hematological malignancies were more likely to experience MACCE (p = 0.001) as well as a higher cardiovascular and all cause mortality (both p = 0.001) at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ACS patients with cancer, specifically those with solid tumors, have a higher MACCE as well as cardiovascular and total mortality rate than non-cancer patients independent of cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, cancer is an independent risk factor for a poor outcome in ACS patients.

Prognostic role of plasma galectin-3 levels in acute coronary syndrome.

AIM: Cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and galectin-3 have emerged as biomarker candidates to predict cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in the general population as well as in patients with coronary artery or renal disease. However, their predictive role and clinical utility in patients with acute coronary syndromes alone or in combination beyond currently used risk scores remains to be determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, and galectin-3 were measured in plasmas of 1832 patients at the time of presentation with acute coronary syndromes requiring percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting. The primary outcomes were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (defined as the composite of all-cause mortality, cerebrovascular events, any repeat revascularization or myocardial infarction) and all-cause mortality after 1 year and occurred in 192 (10.5%) and 78 (4.3%) of patients, respectively. All three biomarkers were increased in those with major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events compared with those without (p<0.001). However, only galectin-3 (all-cause mortality: hazard ratio=1.027 (95% confidence interval (1.011-1.043); p=0.001), major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events: hazard ratio=1.025 (95% confidence interval (1.012-1.037); p<0.001)) but not cystatin C nor neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin emerged as independent predictors of both major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and death. The risks were particularly high in the highest quartile of galectin-3. The integration of galectin-3 into the global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) score improved the prediction of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events and all-cause mortality significantly. The areas under the receiver operator characteristics curves increased from 0.6701 to 0.6932 for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (p=0.0474) and from 0.804 to 0.8199 for all-cause mortality (p=0.0197). Finally, we applied net reclassification improvement index using different cut-offs for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events which showed negative results (for the cut-offs of 5% and 15%, net reclassification improvement index 0.028, p=0.586, for the cut-offs of 10% and 20%, net reclassification improvement index 0.072, p=0.1132 and for the cut-offs of 10% and 30% the net reclassification improvement index is 0.0843, p=0.077). CONCLUSION: In acute coronary syndromes patients, galectin-3 has moderate prognostic accuracy, provides statistically significant incremental value in some, but not all models, and that the magnitude of any improvement would seem of questionable clinical value.

Comparison of Outcomes Using the First and Second Generation Cryoballoon to Treat Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation using cryoballoon ablation is an effective treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation. We sought to compare outcomes with the first and second generation cryoballoon, with the second generation balloon incorporating the Achieve Lasso catheter, in terms of freedom from symptomatic recurrence and major complications. METHODS: The first 200 patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation with the first generation balloon were compared with the first 200 patients using the second-generation balloon. All patients had symptomatic atrial fibrillation and had failed at least one antiarrhythmic drug. The primary efficacy endpoint was freedom from symptomatic recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after a single pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedure using the cryoballoon. The primary safety endpoint was major procedural complications. RESULTS: At 12 months, freedom from symptomatic AF after a single procedure in the first generation cohort was 64.3% compared with 78.6% in the second-generation cohort (p = 0.002). At 24 months, freedom from symptomatic AF in the first generation cohort was 51.3% compared with 72.6% in the second-generation cohort (p < 0.001). Procedural time (150 min vs 101 min; p < 0.001) and fluoroscopy time (32.5 min vs 21.4 min; p < 0.001) was lower in the second-generation group. The rate of major complications was comparably low in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The second-generation cryoballoon was associated with improved freedom from symptomatic AF with reduction in procedure and fluoroscopy time, with a similar low rate of major complications.

Targeting elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure following primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction - a phase one safety and feasibility study.

INTRODUCTION: Elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) is an independent predictor of mortality and heart failure in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Whether lowering elevated LVEDP improves outcomes remains unknown. METHODS: This non-randomized, single blinded study with prospective enrolment and sequential group allocation recruited patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI with LVEDP ⩾ 20 mmHg measured immediately after primary percutaneous coronary intervention. The intervention arm (n=10) received furosemide 40 mg intravenous bolus plus escalating doses of glyceryl trinitrate (100 µg per min to a maximum of 1000 µg) during simultaneous measurement of LVEDP. The control group (n=10) received corresponding normal saline boluses with simultaneous measurement of LVEDP (10 readings over 10 min). Efficacy endpoints were final LVEDP achieved, and the dose of glyceryl trinitrate needed to reduce LVEDP by ⩾ 20%. Safety endpoint was symptomatic hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg). RESULTS: From 1 April 2017 to 23 August 2017 we enrolled 20 patients (age: 64±9 years, males: 60%, n=12, anterior STEMI: 65%, n=13). The mean LVEDP for the whole cohort (n=20) was 29±4 mmHg (intervention group: 28±3 mmHg vs. control group: 31±5 mmHg; p=0.1). The LVEDP dropped from 28±3 to 16±2 mmHg in the glyceryl trinitrate + furosemide group (p <0.01) but remained unchanged in the control group. The median dose of glyceryl trinitrate required to produce ⩾ 20% reduction in LVEDP in the intervention group was 200 µg (range: 100-800). One patient experienced asymptomatic decline in systolic blood pressure to below 90 mmHg. There was no correlation between LVEDP and left ventricular ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: The administration of glyceryl trinitrate plus furosemide in patients with elevated LVEDP following primary percutaneous coronary intervention for STEMI safely reduces LVEDP.